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14* timing + 87 octane = WOT ticking only?

  • Thread starter Thread starter jaymac
  • Start date Start date Apr 22, 2005

jaymac

New Member
Feb 18, 2004
995
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0
Northern Mass
Apr 22, 2005
#1
  • Apr 22, 2005
  • #1
I bumped my timing to roughly 14-15* yesterday and still ran 87 and never heard any ticking until today I gave it WOT and then I heard this loud metallic racket, so I came off it right away and watched all my guages and listened and sniffed. Something smelled a little burnt, but it went away quickly. Gauges were fine, ran smooth part and half throttle. Ran WOT again, heard it a little bit and came off, figured it must be detonation from the 87, so stopped at a gas station and put in 5 gal. 93. Tank was a little less than half full w/ 87 already, so now it's mixed... I stepped on it a few times and progessively heard less and less of the racket as I kept driving. On my last trip to home, I didn't put it to the floor, but about 80%, and heard nothing.

So, could this noise have been bad detonation? FYI, the timing "might" be @ 15* (I couldn't actually see to pinpoint the EXACT # )..
The other thing I think it POSSIBLY could've been is a loose socket or something I might've left in the bay getting rattled around at 5000 rpms?
Highly unlikely as I took a thorough inventory, but just a guess.
No notcieable fluid leaks anywhere, but I'll go back down and check and report back.

Thanks guys!
J
 

89MustangGX

I have nothing productive to add!
Jul 3, 2001
10,262
1
0
Mill Creek, WA
Apr 22, 2005
#2
  • Apr 22, 2005
  • #2
Sounds like detonation. You'd only hear it at WOT, and the description is accurate.

Sounds like higher octane gas will solve your problem, just decide which you'd rather have -- the timing or the expensive gas. Of course, you could try bringing it back down to something like 12* and see if it runs ok on 87 as well.
 

jaymac

New Member
Feb 18, 2004
995
0
0
Northern Mass
Apr 22, 2005
#3
  • Apr 22, 2005
  • #3
well, that's a relief to hear! I was hoping I didn't F something up big-time! 93 is certainly not cheap, but my car's the only thing I spend money on (oh yeah, and rent , bills , bills , and more bills , oh yeah, and my fiance. DOH!! )
When 93 hits $2.50, I'll bring her back down....
J
 

ill advised

Member
Apr 29, 2003
656
10
19
West L.A.
Apr 22, 2005
#4
  • Apr 22, 2005
  • #4
Yeah, I think 14 with 87 octane is pushing it. How are you liking the new (tranny) set up?
 
I

Idwitheld-1`

New Member
Nov 30, 2003
335
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0
Portland Oregon
Apr 22, 2005
#5
  • Apr 22, 2005
  • #5
jaymac said:
well, that's a relief to hear! I was hoping I didn't F something up big-time! 93 is certainly not cheap, but my car's the only thing I spend money on (oh yeah, and rent , bills , bills , and more bills , oh yeah, and my fiance. DOH!! )
When 93 hits $2.50, I'll bring her back down....
J
Click to expand...


I really think that Fiance is hurting your performance. I would ditch it.
 
I

Idwitheld-1`

New Member
Nov 30, 2003
335
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0
Portland Oregon
Apr 22, 2005
#6
  • Apr 22, 2005
  • #6
What is your serial number of the 88Mac?
 

jaymac

New Member
Feb 18, 2004
995
0
0
Northern Mass
Apr 23, 2005
#7
  • Apr 23, 2005
  • #7
ill advised - it took a few days of getting used to the high stall, but I'm defnitely likin' the whole setup. Shift's hard, launches (TOO hard for my traction!) hard. Pulls nicely!

idwitheld-1 : There are days, my friend, there are days....

Did you want the production # (#1035) or the vin #?
 

04sleeper

Founding Member
Jun 22, 2002
2,674
14
89
Dallas, TX
Apr 23, 2005
#8
  • Apr 23, 2005
  • #8
Even if you mix half of a tank of 93 with the 87 you don't bring up the octane by much. I have a lot of friends try this before with race gas and they insist on draining the tank and refueling with the higher octane.

I know that you are not going to do this just letting you know the difference in ratings.

I would instead try to run an octane booster until you refuel. Just to be safe.
 

accidentprone86

New Member
Apr 1, 2005
189
0
0
Westminster Colorado
Apr 23, 2005
#9
  • Apr 23, 2005
  • #9
yo i run 13* advance on 85 octane.
Their is no detonation "At least i dont think" i think i have a letle valve chater.
Also altitude might have an effect on it.?
 
I

Idwitheld-1`

New Member
Nov 30, 2003
335
0
0
Portland Oregon
Apr 23, 2005
#10
  • Apr 23, 2005
  • #10
jaymac said:
idwitheld-1 : There are days, my friend, there are days....

Did you want the production # (#1035) or the vin #?
Click to expand...


....too many days jay, too many days indeed....

My girlfriends McLaren is 88-566. Bone stock except for AFPR and Flowmasters...
 

89MustangGX

I have nothing productive to add!
Jul 3, 2001
10,262
1
0
Mill Creek, WA
Apr 23, 2005
#11
  • Apr 23, 2005
  • #11
accidentprone86 said:
yo i run 13* advance on 85 octane.
Their is no detonation "At least i dont think" i think i have a letle valve chater.
Also altitude might have an effect on it.?
Click to expand...

Altitude definitely has an effect.
 

jaymac

New Member
Feb 18, 2004
995
0
0
Northern Mass
Apr 25, 2005
#12
  • Apr 25, 2005
  • #12
ID WIthheld - #556, huh? Guess it's like my older sister, then!
i was going to keep mine bone stock, but after it was hit big-time and re-constructed, there goes the collector value!! Oh well, I guess I'll just have to settle for making it fast instead

I'm not really sure what my altitude is here , but I haven't put it to the floor since, and I'm prob. going to wait until I can refill w/ fresh 93 before I try it again!
 
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