Had the car tuned on 100 octane the other day. Even though my tuner knew it was false knock he said it was best to play it safe because the HP/TQ numbers were so strong anyways. There's definately more power on the table with the factory ECU (not ready for an AEM EMS just yet) if I can eliminate the false knock. I've found a few threads that show where and how to remove the OEM knock sensor, but I'm more interested in understanding what my options are in the aftermarket. Has anybody here replaced their stock sensor with an aftermarket unit and seen immediate results?

 

is there a way to test the stock knock sensor to make sure it's bad? i'm sure there is, but i'd make sure it's bad before replacing it.

 

When we were tuning on 91 octane we thought it could be false knock but the power numbers were OK. Now we're getting the same thing on 100 octane but with the kind of timing that should be perfectly OK. Car's passed all tests with flying colors: leak down, compression check, boost leaks, etc.

 

it could be random noise that the sensor is picking up from other things like aftermarket clutches, downpipes, etc. it might not be your sensor. if you know anyone else that'll let you swap theirs in to see if it still knocks, that might help out, but i'm sure there is a way to check it with a voltmeter or something.

 

Are there aftermarket sensors that are plug and play and replace the OEM unit?

 

not that i know of.

 

If your going to go through the trouble take the sensor off the car wrap it in a towel and test the sensor with it plugged back in. You should get 0 knock.

Honestly I bet like hondafan said its just a rattle somewhere like a downpipe.

 

if your ecu is picking up knock (phantom knock or not), wouldn't it cut timing and you wouldn't be making good power as you stated?

 

To a degree. The knock sums aren't exactly off the charts but they're holding us back from more power. They're false. We're sure of it because of what the tuner knows about his own car and the hundreds of others he's tuned on 100 octane. I'd post the map but I'm not sure if the tuner would be OK with it.