Premium or regular?
#101
Team Owner
It appears in this article that it is not just the frequency but the intensity (loudness) that creates a varying voltage by the knock sensor. Much like a tuning fork will always vibrate at a specific frequency when struck. The difference that you can hear is that when you hit with a hard object, more energy is transferred in the impact, making it ring louder, but with the same frequency.
https://www.azosensors.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=50
https://www.azosensors.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=50
#102
Le Mans Master
I would guess a metal screwdriver is close to something knocking on a bearing... Metal on Metal and such.
#104
Drifting
#105
Team Owner
Pro Mechanic
Last edited by Tom400CFI; 04-19-2018 at 02:00 PM.
The following users liked this post:
JimLentz (04-19-2018)
#106
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Jan 2014
Location: Downers Grove Illinois
Posts: 2,474
Received 250 Likes
on
239 Posts
A working principle to piezoelectric elements involves the transmission of an electrical current in response to detecting a change in pressure or vibration by these elements. The piezoelectric element inside the knock sensor is tuned to detect the engine knock/detonation frequency.Sep 6, 2012
#107
FWIW, the original owners manual states "Your engine is designed to operate on premium grade unleaded fuel,
However, with the electronic spark control system you may use either middle or regular grade fuel at slightly reduced acceleration performance.
However, with the electronic spark control system you may use either middle or regular grade fuel at slightly reduced acceleration performance.
#109
Team Owner
Pro Mechanic
We know. The question was whether the OP could make it across the country w/o destroying his engine. I'm sort of kidding, of course he can, but would it use more fuel due to knock retard. Veteran posters here said to actually look for knock with a scanner. I did that, and basically had none. Seems like more of that "**** that ain't worth worryin' about." Especially for a guy (the OP) driving across country.
#110
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Jan 2017
Location: Diamondhead Mississippi
Posts: 960
Received 236 Likes
on
171 Posts
St. Jude Donor '17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22
Yeah - I posted that same quote from the owner's manual back in Post 26. It doesn't say it is going to hurt anything. In reality it says you can use what ever grade YOU want. Just use what makes you happy and keep on trucking.
#111
If stock it is a GM factory mass production vehicle NOT Ferrari or a custom engine! Run what you want.
It is built with the average Joe in mind that will either intentionally put the wrong gas in "cost savings genius" or not pay attention and do it.
The only thing they manufactures have not done is include an easy drain for when someone puts Diesel or Gasoline int eh wrong vehicle.
It is built with the average Joe in mind that will either intentionally put the wrong gas in "cost savings genius" or not pay attention and do it.
The only thing they manufactures have not done is include an easy drain for when someone puts Diesel or Gasoline int eh wrong vehicle.
Finally got around to doing a little looking. This is on a '92 LT1, 85 octane -the "cheapest"/"worst" you can get. All photos were taken when climbing a hill, and in a high gear; 5th or 6th gear. I was able to see/capture one knock event....
Attachment 48275982
Attachment 48275983
Attachment 48275984
Attachment 48275985
Attachment 48275986
Attachment 48275987
Attachment 48275982
Attachment 48275983
Attachment 48275984
Attachment 48275985
Attachment 48275986
Attachment 48275987
We know. The question was whether the OP could make it across the country w/o destroying his engine. I'm sort of kidding, of course he can, but would it use more fuel due to knock retard. Veteran posters here said to actually look for knock with a scanner. I did that, and basically had none. Seems like more of that "**** that ain't worth worryin' about." Especially for a guy (the OP) driving across country.
Nice work, Tom!
The only time higher fuel octane is an issue is
-Real old cars with leaded in mind
-Cars with high 11.0+ compression
-Forced induction
That being said if I have a vette that is stock I still would run 91-93 that is just me. A cheapskate can, will, and do get away just fine with 87.
Imagine the lawsuits, warranty claims, and issues if manufactures actually made things designed for specific use? So many of these production cars would be toast. Consumers are proven idiots, manufactures take that in to account when engineering their products.
You can always count on people trying to do something to cheat at something, what ever the context.
#112
Team Owner
Pro Mechanic
THanks! Note that I was actually running 85 octane for this little test. On the one hadn't, I'm at high elevation -so less pressure at WOT...but the test wasn't WOT, it was regular driving, up hills mostly. Plenum pressure has to be the same, to achieve the same tq to go up a given hill, so atmosphere doesn't matter much under the conditions for this test.
#113
Drifting
My 2 cents. Even one knock is like hitting your valve and piston with a hammer. Premium is cheap insurance. Even though I never ever ever ever go more than 1/4 throttle.
#114
Team Owner
If that is all you are doing, you are probably not going to hit detonation. That is over insured. OTOH, if multiple WOT runs are in your future, I would.
#115
Unfortunately that math doesn't work in the Chicago area as we pay a lot more for premium versus regular. Here are prices from my local gas station.
I wish it was only $0.20 apart around here as I would always go premium in the Corvette. It used to be much closer, but a few years ago the cost spread went up dramatically.
- Regular - $2.67
- Premium - $3.37
I wish it was only $0.20 apart around here as I would always go premium in the Corvette. It used to be much closer, but a few years ago the cost spread went up dramatically.