C6 Tech/Performance LS2, LS3, LS7, LS9 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

pinging bone stock on premium?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 23, 2021 | 10:09 PM
  #1  
hidesert cowboy's Avatar
hidesert cowboy
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Default pinging bone stock on premium?

I get an engine ping running 91 octane bone stock. The ping goes away quickly but its still there when I roll on the throttle pretty hard and clears up quickly. has anyone else seen this and what has been done to fix it.

Last edited by hidesert cowboy; Jun 23, 2021 at 10:10 PM.
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2021 | 10:29 PM
  #2  
madmatt9471's Avatar
madmatt9471
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime Gold
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 21,473
Likes: 356
From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
Default

MN6 or A6?

Temperature of the motor at the time?

Only under full load or does it ever happen from a dig or dead stop?

Have you tried a real fuel additive? Torco or Klotz or mix VP race fuel to bring up the octane to 93 or 95 to see if it changes?

Here is a good description of various reasons why pinging occurs:
https://repairpal.com/what-is-engine-pinging

You might have to have your Vette hooked up to a scanner (HP Tuners VCM Scan for a diagnostic) by a local tuner and see why it might be occurring, they can check the fuel trims and timing and make sure that everything is in order and see why it is happening, as well as see all the pertinent sensors.

More details the better -

Thanks,Matt
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2021 | 10:47 PM
  #3  
hidesert cowboy's Avatar
hidesert cowboy
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by madmatt9471
MN6 or A6?

Temperature of the motor at the time?

Only under full load or does it ever happen from a dig or dead stop?

Have you tried a real fuel additive? Torco or Klotz or mix VP race fuel to bring up the octane to 93 or 95 to see if it changes?

Here is a good description of various reasons why pinging occurs:
https://repairpal.com/what-is-engine-pinging

You might have to have your Vette hooked up to a scanner (HP Tuners VCM Scan for a diagnostic) by a local tuner and see why it might be occurring, they can check the fuel trims and timing and make sure that everything is in order and see why it is happening, as well as see all the pertinent sensors.

More details the better -

Thanks,Matt
. It’s doing it after engine is full temp. It’s also in the midrange. Say if the engine is at 2500 rpm and I just floor it. I also live at about 5000 feet elevation I should not be seeing engine pinging in my situation
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2021 | 01:19 AM
  #4  
subfloor@centurytrans's Avatar
subfloor@centurytrans
Supporting Vendor
15 Year Member
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,523
Likes: 885
2024 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (track prepared)
2019 C6 of Year Winner (track prepared)
Default

Originally Posted by hidesert cowboy
I get an engine ping running 91 octane bone stock. The ping goes away quickly but its still there when I roll on the throttle pretty hard and clears up quickly. has anyone else seen this and what has been done to fix it.
What spark plugs are you running?
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2021 | 05:50 AM
  #5  
Iceaxe's Avatar
Iceaxe
Safety Car
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,355
Likes: 2,633
From: Draper Utah
Default

Have you tried buying fuel from a different gas station?
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2021 | 06:13 AM
  #6  
449er's Avatar
449er
CF Community Team
10 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 14,146
Likes: 7,433
From: Pittsburgh
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

Do you have 93 octane available to you?
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2021 | 07:50 AM
  #7  
hidesert cowboy's Avatar
hidesert cowboy
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Iceaxe
Have you tried buying fuel from a different gas station?
I first noticed it running 88 octane ethanol free. I thought that’s odd to actually hear a few pings with it. It’s slightly better running 91 but still there. Car has about 35k original miles. I assume the plugs are original.

We don’t have 93 octane here because it’s not needed because of the elevation. 8t5 octane is the base fuel because of that.
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2021 | 08:12 AM
  #8  
Orion2011's Avatar
Orion2011
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 319
From: Shelbyville Kentucky
Default

How many miles on the car? When I did a head swap on my C6 there was a good bit of carbon buildup that I had to clean off. This will increase the compression and change the octane required.

Also I've never heard my car "ping" even when HP tuners tells me there's knock. The knock sensors should detect it and pull timing before you ever hear it. Are you sure it's spark knock and not something else?
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jun 24, 2021 | 08:29 AM
  #9  
hidesert cowboy's Avatar
hidesert cowboy
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Orion2011
How many miles on the car? When I did a head swap on my C6 there was a good bit of carbon buildup that I had to clean off. This will increase the compression and change the octane required.

Also I've never heard my car "ping" even when HP tuners tells me there's knock. The knock sensors should detect it and pull timing before you ever hear it. Are you sure it's spark knock and not something else?
the car only has about 35k original miles. YES the knock sensors pull timing. but I believe they are having to pull it every time. its not a bunch of pinging and it clears itself pretty quickly but its still there. its only present when the engine is at full temp.
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2021 | 09:50 AM
  #10  
Iceaxe's Avatar
Iceaxe
Safety Car
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,355
Likes: 2,633
From: Draper Utah
Default

I guess the first thing to do is make sure what you're hearing in pinging.... buy 10 gallons of 100 octane racing fuel and see if the problem is still present.

FWIW: I also live at altitude, run 91 octane, and understand why 91 is equal to 93 above 4000'.

Last edited by Iceaxe; Jun 24, 2021 at 09:53 AM.
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2021 | 10:42 AM
  #11  
hidesert cowboy's Avatar
hidesert cowboy
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Default

Good idea. I will get some octane boost to isolate the issue and your are right to make sure that is really it.
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2021 | 11:23 AM
  #12  
madmatt9471's Avatar
madmatt9471
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime Gold
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 21,473
Likes: 356
From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
Default

Originally Posted by hidesert cowboy
Good idea. I will get some octane boost to isolate the issue and your are right to make sure that is really it.
Make sure you purchase real octane boost and not the store bought crap that claims +4 octane - what it really means is that you will now have 91.4 Octane and if you add too much you will slow down the burn rate -

So purchase either Torco, Klotz fuel additive, or VP Racing Fuel and add it to your 91 - these actually make your fuel either 93, 95. 97 etc according to the blend charts

Thanks,Matt
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2021 | 11:52 AM
  #13  
Iceaxe's Avatar
Iceaxe
Safety Car
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,355
Likes: 2,633
From: Draper Utah
Default

FWIW: Mixing different octane fuels is linear. Meaning if you mix 10 gallons of 91 with 10 gallons of 100 you now have 20 gallons of 95.5 octane.
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2021 | 07:28 PM
  #14  
grinder11's Avatar
grinder11
Race Director
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,864
Likes: 4,667
Default

Originally Posted by hidesert cowboy
I first noticed it running 88 octane ethanol free. I thought that’s odd to actually hear a few pings with it. It’s slightly better running 91 but still there. Car has about 35k original miles. I assume the plugs are original.

We don’t have 93 octane here because it’s not needed because of the elevation. 8t5 octane is the base fuel because of that.
I would NEVER run 88 octane, with or without ethanol!! Asking for engine damage, IMHO. Don't you have any 93 octane pump gas available. I guess 91 is tops some places. Just asking.......
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2021 | 07:31 PM
  #15  
subfloor@centurytrans's Avatar
subfloor@centurytrans
Supporting Vendor
15 Year Member
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,523
Likes: 885
2024 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (track prepared)
2019 C6 of Year Winner (track prepared)
Default

Originally Posted by hidesert cowboy
the car only has about 35k original miles. YES the knock sensors pull timing. but I believe they are having to pull it every time. its not a bunch of pinging and it clears itself pretty quickly but its still there. its only present when the engine is at full temp.
Check to see if you might be running NGK spark plugs. I've had nothing but trouble with them, including engine knock at friggin idle once before in my LS7.
Reply
Old Jun 26, 2021 | 09:37 AM
  #16  
farmington's Avatar
farmington
Safety Car
 
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 4,243
Likes: 1,133
From: North Myrtle Beach SC
Default

Any chance you have a 93 octane tune in it?
Reply
Old Jun 27, 2021 | 07:15 PM
  #17  
hidesert cowboy's Avatar
hidesert cowboy
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Default

So I added a bottle of Lucas octane boost and on 91 fuel engine warmed up. No ping! So yes I was hearing a ping. What do I do to address the issue now?
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To pinging bone stock on premium?

Old Jun 27, 2021 | 07:40 PM
  #18  
grinder11's Avatar
grinder11
Race Director
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,864
Likes: 4,667
Default

Originally Posted by subfloor@centurytrans
Check to see if you might be running NGK spark plugs. I've had nothing but trouble with them, including engine knock at friggin idle once before in my LS7.
Most people have had nothing but good results from NGK plugs. TR6, etc. Wondering if you had real NGK plugs, or a Chinese counterfeit......
Reply
Old Jun 27, 2021 | 07:45 PM
  #19  
grinder11's Avatar
grinder11
Race Director
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,864
Likes: 4,667
Default

Originally Posted by hidesert cowboy
So I added a bottle of Lucas octane boost and on 91 fuel engine warmed up. No ping! So yes I was hearing a ping. What do I do to address the issue now?
Maybe try a heat range colder on plugs? Without knowing a lot of specific info, like miles on engine, how much oil use, PCV system/catch can, how much carbon in combustion chambers, etc., hard to get too specific. But generally 1 heat range colder than stock usually helps. Also, make sure to the best of your ability that you're getting the genuine name brand spark plugs you're paying for. Chinese counterfeits are everywhere, and no good way I know of to know for sure, other than buying from a respected retailer.......
Reply
Old Jun 27, 2021 | 08:42 PM
  #20  
madmatt9471's Avatar
madmatt9471
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime Gold
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 21,473
Likes: 356
From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
Default

Originally Posted by hidesert cowboy
So I added a bottle of Lucas octane boost and on 91 fuel engine warmed up. No ping! So yes I was hearing a ping. What do I do to address the issue now?
Well that's good to hear, especially with the hotter weather getting geared up - it didn't take much to bring up your Octane to stop the pinging that you were hearing/experiencing - 91.3 Octane from 91 Octane

I wonder if it was the station that you got it from that caused some of the issues, sometimes they get a bad batch - if not then at least you have a quick fix

Below I added some extra reading for anyone who might be interested -

Here is a small bit of information on Octane Boosters:
https://www.fuelexpert.co.za/Octane-...r-Shootout.php
https://www.fuelexpert.co.za/dooctaneboosterswork.php

Fuel Additive - many of these have their PDF Blend charts that you can download (I.E. - TORCO)
https://torcoracefuel.net/collections/accelerators
https://klotzlube.com/shop
https://boostane.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjw...xoC4UYQAvD_BwE

Thanks,Matt
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:29 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 11:09:53


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE