Am I detonating?

[anokabball24]

Running too lean, and detonation are two things that constantly are on my mind when I'm driving my car. I can't help it!

I've been doing some WOT pulls with my '88 Daytona (fully stock, no other power adders besides a g-valve, and removed muffler.), and I've noticed when I'm boosting over 12 psi a loud hissing noise comes about. I'm guessing it's just the restrictive exhaust, and lack of muffler creating a noise due to higher boost, rather than detonation. There's no crackling, or metal on metal "tinging" just kind of a loud roaring hissing noise.

I really don't know how to hear detonation, as I don't know what to listen for, and it's kind of hard to hear anything when your exhaust is loud, and windows are down.

I have a 3-wire O2 sensor, and a Dawes hooked up, the DD is reading blue at WOT. I usually run 89 or 90 octane, sometimes 92 where available. I just replaced the fuel filter.

I've inspected all plugs (RN9YC) and see ZERO peppering on the insulator. However, there's a little white metallic looking powder on the ground electrodes.

My gift to you, a random Jessica Alba pic...


What do you guys think? About my car, not Alba...

[puppet]

I think I may be experiencing some detonation right now :P

[Endo]

Sounds like a boost leak to me. Carefully inspect all your hoses, bend them around a bit cause a small hole can be difficult to find. If your hoses check out good, make sure they are TIGHTLY clamped and look at your BOV. I had the same sound going on for a while, and checked everything over several times, before realizing there was a big tear in my lower hose on the bottom side, would have never found it if i hadn't have cracked my oil pan.


If you detonate bad enough (doesnt take much with cast pistons), the damage is going to be done before you can lift your foot. Try not to worry about it . If your plugs look good, and your a/f reads good, you're doing ok. Imo, ALWAYS run 92 or better (not race gas though), even if it means u gotta drive out of your way. Cheap insurance and even nets a minor fuel mileage bonus.

[anokabball24]

Endo -

Good observation. I'm using shitty worm-gear clamps as it is, and perhaps those are to blame. I've got a bad bulge on the top IC tube to throttle body connector. Maybe it's leaking out of that...

Or...

The BOV isn't staying shut...which would be difficult to know.

[anokabball24]

Quote:

Originally Posted by puppet I think I may be experiencing some detonation right now :P

Understandable...