How Reliable Is The Knock Sensor?

[SargeRX8]

Ive got a relatively standard R33 GTST. Only has a cat back HKS exhaust, pod, BOV, FMIC. Stock boost yada yada. Anyway I installed a PowerFC, let it learn my car. Its got nothing but base tune.

Checking knock, I see it averaging at about, well 0 when cruising around. Abit of a push it goes to about 15. If I gun it, it shoots between 40 - 80. If I hold it, I can see massive readings like 134 - 150...

My engine should explode.... Should I be worried? Is it unsafe running the PFC as a full time ECU with no tune? From what Ive read it should be running like stock but more optimized...

[mad082]

you should get it tuned ASAP. the tune that they put on there is really just to get the thing to run. they aren't really designed to drive on for longer periods of time.

[Moodles2]

Explain the BOV, is it is an atmospheric type? If so there's the problem, not the ECU (well lack of tune to suit this type of BOV).

[mad082]

bov shouldn't make a difference under load.

[SargeRX8]

It is an atmospheric BOV, an apexi. Could the frequency of the sound from the BOV trip the sensor? I cant keep my eyes on the hand controller, I just drive and finish then check my max readings before I switch the car off. A idle rev all the way to 5000rpm gives me knock of 5, sometimes more sometimes less. Its very inconsistent..

I really dont feel it worth the money on turning a stock car I guess ill return back to stock ECU.

[PM-R33]

So you bought a Power FC with the knowledge that you were not going to get it tuned? I don't get it.

[mad082]

over the stock ecu you would recieve an increase of 10kw or so just from a tune on a stock car. if you were running higher boost the power gains would be closer to 20kw from a tune over a stock ecu (and a boost increase + tune would yeild about 30 or 40kw over the stock ecu and stock boost).

the power gains from running an untuned PFC on a stock car would be minimal, if any. you may actually see a decrease in power.

[SargeRX8]

I bought the power fc to support my upcoming mods. If I pay $600 for a tune now, I'll be paying another $600 in a month or so.

[89CAL]

a month isnt long to wait. Id do as you said and put the stock ECU in until youve got everythng else done. As youve just pointed out, now point forking out twice for a tune within the space of a month or so

[mad082]

yeah go back to the stock ecu or you may end up needing a new motor not long after the mods go on.