Electronics Need help wiring something up? Thinking of adding an electrical component to your car? Need help troubleshooting that wiring glitch?

Adding a knock sensor to carbureted engine to retard timing control detonation

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-23-2021, 01:23 AM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
MaxCubes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: El Paso, TX
Posts: 19
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Adding a knock sensor to carbureted engine to retard timing control detonation



Last edited by MaxCubes; 04-24-2021 at 02:24 AM. Reason: Updated diagram
Old 03-26-2021, 10:33 AM
  #2  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
MaxCubes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: El Paso, TX
Posts: 19
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Re: Adding a knock sensor to carbureted engine to retard timing control detonation

Want protection against knock, ping and detonation? This is the cheapest, easiest way to do it. Get a GM ESC controller and a knock sensor (with 100k olms resistance). Wire it as shown in the wiring diagram. This system does NOT control timing.... the vacuum and mechanical advances in the distributor do this. The ESC controller only adjusts timing if knock is detected. This system can be used on ANY engine that has a distributor and a magnetic pickup coil. It can be used on any four, six or eight cylinder engine. The module and/or coil can be externally located if need be. I would highly recommend adding a knock sensor to any engine that is high compression, supercharged or turbocharged.

Last edited by MaxCubes; 04-24-2021 at 01:52 AM. Reason: Updated diagram
Old 03-26-2021, 02:32 PM
  #3  
Supreme Member

 
redneckjoe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Spring Hill, Fl.
Posts: 2,080
Received 33 Likes on 27 Posts
Car: 87 iroc-z
Engine: 454
Transmission: th350
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Adding a knock sensor to carbureted engine to retard timing control detonation

Cool idea. Reminds me of the cheap boost retard with the 5-pin.
https://www.instructables.com/Dirt-c...harged-engine/
The following users liked this post:
MaxCubes (03-26-2021)
Old 03-26-2021, 09:11 PM
  #4  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
MaxCubes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: El Paso, TX
Posts: 19
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Re: Adding a knock sensor to carbureted engine to retard timing control detonation

Originally Posted by redneckjoe
Cool idea. Reminds me of the cheap boost retard with the 5-pin.
https://www.instructables.com/Dirt-c...harged-engine/
Yes, I read that article many years ago... very informative.
Old 05-09-2021, 11:30 PM
  #5  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
MaxCubes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: El Paso, TX
Posts: 19
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Re: Adding a knock sensor to carbureted engine to retard timing control detonation


Old 06-01-2021, 07:46 AM
  #6  
Member

 
Rebuildman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: SE AZ
Posts: 239
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Car: 1990 Corvette, 1978 1985 C-10
Engine: 350, 406 HSR
Transmission: manual, 200 4r
Re: Adding a knock sensor to carbureted engine to retard timing control detonation

Question on knock sensors. Trouble shooting guide for code 43 (I believe) knock, says sensor should read about 3900 ohms? You mentioned 100k ohms and I have 4 knock sensors that all read in that range, 90 - 100k. So I assume the T/S guide is wrong. Are there knock sensors that are different or more desirable than others? Different in their ohm value I suppose. Different maybe for the size of the engine? 305 v 350?
Old 06-01-2021, 02:12 PM
  #7  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
MaxCubes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: El Paso, TX
Posts: 19
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Re: Adding a knock sensor to carbureted engine to retard timing control detonation

Originally Posted by Rebuildman
Question on knock sensors. Trouble shooting guide for code 43 (I believe) knock, says sensor should read about 3900 ohms? You mentioned 100k ohms and I have 4 knock sensors that all read in that range, 90 - 100k. So I assume the T/S guide is wrong. Are there knock sensors that are different or more desirable than others? Different in their ohm value I suppose. Different maybe for the size of the engine? 305 v 350?
The 3900 ohm knock sensors are used on ECMs that do not have an external ESC module, they are wired directly to the main ECM. The 100k ohm knock sensors are wired to an external ESC module, which is separate from the main ECM.
Old 06-02-2021, 07:36 AM
  #8  
Member

 
Rebuildman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: SE AZ
Posts: 239
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Car: 1990 Corvette, 1978 1985 C-10
Engine: 350, 406 HSR
Transmission: manual, 200 4r
Re: Adding a knock sensor to carbureted engine to retard timing control detonation

Thanks! Now I have to retrieve my T/S manuals from the dumpster.
Old 11-13-2021, 12:29 AM
  #9  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
MaxCubes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: El Paso, TX
Posts: 19
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Re: Adding a knock sensor to carbureted engine to retard timing control detonation

https://youtu.be/cCsJxKWixSw

Last edited by MaxCubes; 12-02-2021 at 09:04 PM.
Old 12-02-2021, 09:04 PM
  #10  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
MaxCubes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: El Paso, TX
Posts: 19
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Re: Adding a knock sensor to carbureted engine to retard timing control detonation

Old 12-03-2021, 12:52 AM
  #11  
Supreme Member

 
vorteciroc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: 212 is up in this Bit@#
Posts: 2,763
Received 739 Likes on 565 Posts
Car: Resto-Mod 1987 IROC-Z Clone
Engine: Alky fed L92 Vortec Twin-Turbo 6.8L
Transmission: My own built/ design 4L80M
Axle/Gears: Custom 12 bolt (4.10:1)
Re: Adding a knock sensor to carbureted engine to retard timing control detonation

Not anything new...
But an Excellent Write-Up and Thread!

Nice Job!!!
The following users liked this post:
MaxCubes (12-04-2021)
Old 02-02-2022, 11:46 AM
  #12  
Junior Member
 
Woodbadge's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2022
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Re: Adding a knock sensor to carbureted engine to retard timing control detonation

Looking for a part Number for 3.9K ohm Knock Sensor. I have a 1989 Firebird Formula 350. I have ordered 3 already and all of them measured 100K Ohm. I test installed a 3.9K ohm resister in place of the Knock sensor and it worked perfect, no Check Engine light. Will not having the knock sensor plugged in make timing retard? Thanks
Old 02-03-2022, 08:46 AM
  #13  
Sponsor

iTrader: (92)
 
Tuned Performance's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Mile High Country !!!
Posts: 15,458
Received 669 Likes on 592 Posts
Car: 1967 Camaro, 91 z28
Engine: Lb9
Transmission: M20
Axle/Gears: J65 pbr on stock posi 10bolt
Re: Adding a knock sensor to carbureted engine to retard timing control detonation

85-89 uses a 100k ohm knock sensor
90-92 tpi was 3.9k
Old 02-14-2022, 03:11 PM
  #14  
Member

iTrader: (1)
 
SilverChicken's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Texas
Posts: 212
Received 22 Likes on 18 Posts
Car: 1986 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 383 SBC
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: Hawks 8.8 with 4.10’s
Re: Adding a knock sensor to carbureted engine to retard timing control detonation

if only this could be integrated into a Holley Sniper EFI using the Hyperspark!!!
Old 09-12-2023, 01:11 PM
  #15  
Junior Member
 
Willy200's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2023
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Re: Adding a knock sensor to carbureted engine to retard timing control detonation

Originally Posted by redneckjoe
Cool idea. Reminds me of the cheap boost retard with the 5-pin.
https://www.instructables.com/Dirt-c...harged-engine/
Hi, also inspirated by this. I have ford duraspark II, and I bought yellow strain module which has 2 wires for 3 and 5 degrees of timing. But it doesnt work still for me. On idle i can pump into switches 4psi and then 8psi and I see that retard is working on timing light, but when i drive, when it hit 4psi by blower, engine shoots from pipes and look like dying.. I always step of from gas pedal to keep it steady.. Initial set is 8 and Im boosting 10psi maximum. Now i took retard wires off, put initial lower to 6, and in cruise and also in wot its. Running great, afr 12, sparkplugs looks ok.. But anyway when you boosting you need to retard total advance. Any advice?
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bigcountry1979
Tech / General Engine
11
03-08-2012 08:20 PM
nhromyak
DIY PROM
7
02-05-2005 02:41 PM
Metallica383
Tech / General Engine
1
04-20-2003 02:33 AM
firbird
Tech / General Engine
6
12-12-2001 12:17 AM



Quick Reply: Adding a knock sensor to carbureted engine to retard timing control detonation



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:11 AM.