Stock cars can definitely knock, as well as highly tuned vehicles. It only takes a bad batch of gas, or a poorly tuned vehicle, thankfully most ECUs have a way of defending themselves. An EVO has two timing maps from the factory. When the ECU senses a certain amount of knock, it will switch over to the lower timing map which equals a significant decrease in power but much safer (That is what you might be feeling). Some tuners have been known to lock both maps on the same timing ramp. If your ECU were to sense knock, it would have no place to go, no way to back down timing. This in short would naturaly cause engine damage.

 

get race gas and turn up the boost

 

So when the ECU switches to the lower timing map, has it prevented any engine damage before it switched? Or has the engine been damaged already due the knocking before the map switch?

I just want to know if the engine get damaged everytime a knock occurs, because that COULD be the reason why my car feels sluggish, hot day + knock = lower timing maps.

I also talked to one of my friends who drives an Audi S4 (B5 chassis) and he told me that its just that I'm used to the ride already. Could be true, I just want every possible situation.

 

The ECU typically reacts to knock AFTER it happens, so the "damage" has been done. By getting the car tuned you adjust the fuel/timing/boost to keep knock in check so that the ECU doesn't have to get involved in the first place.

 

Oh, I see. But how much damage would that be?

 

nobody knows for certain how much knock is acceptable and at what knock sum = physical damage. However, I do know that the stock ecu is going to pull timing when it detects knock. You're better off correcting the knock issue (pull timing, lower boost, increase octane or AFR) then letting the ECU get involved because it typically goes overkill and pulls so much timing that the car falls on it's face.

 

Max: Your friend who suggested Chevron gasoline is all wrong. Yes, Chevron gas has a ingredient called Techron(?), however almost all the guys in California use UnoCal(Union) 76 Premium. Use only 76 premium.

Just as an experiment go to a Sherwin Williams paint store and purchase a gallon of Xylene and add it to a tankful of Union 76 Premium gas. This should raise your overall octane up to about 93 octane. This way you'll at least know whether your problem is crappy gas.

Have your car tuned pronto as Mellon suggests. Get in touch with him and he'll set you up with the Tactrix cable, Ecuflash, EvoScan and all the relevant info, etc.

 

I also don't feel that sensation when i try until today when i was going to work.
i accidentally gassed it and i felt my head go back... that or i was sleepy and my neck decided to go limp for a sec.
I usually boost at night and i don't get sucked in... guess my seats don't like me.

Chevron is bad cuz of techron? Why?
You gotta change oil at 1000? - dam i need to read the manual more clearly
My brakes squeaks when i brake sorta hard... does that mean i broke it in improperly? - hope its not to late to fix it....

Ive been using nothing but chevron gas... the only time when it seems strong is when i fill up with new gas. i guess ill try 76 then.

 

No, Chevron is not bad because of the Techron ingredient. Techron is supposed to help clean injectors and it is not bad in and of itself. However, the general consensus in California is that Union 76 Premium is the most knock resistant 91 octane pump gas available in that state. It's not really a scientific observation on my part. I just more or less gathered this from browsing NorCalEvo and SoCalEvo.