I have to say I think the pro-m 75mm are crap too. Everyone seems to have problems with them and it seems like unless u spend the big bucks and get the 77mm one you are going to have problems. I have the EXACT same problems as you do with mine. It would start and then die first time.... I'd have to hold the gas for a while to get it to idle hafway decent. I'm not really sure what pinging sounds like but i know it idled like crap and lost power. I eventually gave up and put the stock one back on and it feels way faster and idles just fine. Let me know if the afpr fixes it. Thx.