? for California Predator users

[Jesus]

I just got a Predator tuner and noticed that the car pings in 3rd around 5000 RPM with the supplied performance tune. The instructions said that I may have to retard the timing %10, but the pinging didnt go away until I retarded the timing %15. I was wondering how much timing other CA users (or anybody who has one of these things and is runs 91 octane gas) had to take out. I think I will be able to add some timing back in after my next fill up (I currently have 1/3 tank 87 from before the Predator, and 2/3 91 octane) How much do you think the 1/3 87 octane hurt things? I did notice a SOTP improvement with this thing, but not sure how much it really added. I also feel that running the stock mid pipe might have added to the pinging problem since it causes the car to run leaner than it would if didnt have any cats.

 

[White Stang]

When you get that 87 out of the tank that should help. You will still have to adjust the tune per directions due to the lack of 93 octane in your area. You could get some octane boost to liven up the gas in your tank.If it is available there

 

[Jesus]

Thanks for the reply. My tank is pretty much 91 octane now. I have been messing around with the timing and this is what seems to work for me: I set the timing to 13% retard in the 2000-4000 rpm range, and set the timing to 15% retard in the 4000-7000 rpm range. I never heard any knocking in the 2000-4000 rpm range, even with the unmodified Diablo tune, but I figured better safe than sorry. I did hear knocking (not a strong knock, just a slight knock) around 4800-5000 in 3rd gear at WOT. With the way the timing is set now I dont think I hear it anymore. I did notice that with the stock tune the car would also ping slightly at the top of 3rd gear, so I am guessing that a little bit of pinging under load like that is normal. Any way, the car feels stronger and pulls up to redline a lot harder than it did with the stock tune. It also moves off idle a bit better than it did with the stock tune (After I had been playing around with the Predator tune I reinstalled the stock tune to see if there really was that much of a difference. It is noticeably more responsive. Off idle with the stock tune at part throttle felt lazy in comparison to the Predator tune) The car feels pretty similar to when I had the Steeda T/A on it and a Pro-Chamber mid pipe. Possibly stronger in the lower ranges.

 

[propellerhead]

I wish there was a more reliable way of detecting ping.