What could be causing pinging/detonation?

thelast5.0

New Member
Apr 14, 2004
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I have a 95 GT, and when im under full throttle, when I get above 3500/4000, I'm pretty sure its pinging, but its hard to tell over the sound of the too loud exhaust. Could this be caused by a lean condition or any other fuel issues? Is there any way other then sound to check if you have detonation? Any help would be great, thanks.
 
If it is detonation you are hearing, then your spark plugs should have a white haze to them. Check out all 8 & see if it's the case.

If all 8 are white, you likely have a fuel/sensor issue. I am in the same boat you are in. Run 91 octane for the time being; That should help until you resolve the issue.
Scott
 
First off have you adjusted the timming at all yet? Second what grade of gasoline are you running? On AVG our cars will take 13-14* of timming w/ out pinging, of corse thats only if you use 93 Octane. Even if your timming is set at factory settings it could still ping w/ 87 octane gas. Getting a timming light or find someone that has one and check your timing and see where its at.
 
I had an issue last year with pinging, when I was stock. I'm 99% sure the problem was the IAT sensor, located in your cold air intake, or factory air intake. Mine wasnt straight in. My sensor was blocked by its surrounding "shield". The air wasnt hitting the sensor properly and was making the car ping above 11* on 94octane. Just unscrew it, it takes a minute. You'll see what I mean.
 
I had locked timing @ 20 degrees when I was running at 6 psi of boost and my car pulled harder than ever for me and my pinging exactly as yours stopped. I am now @ 8 degrees locked timing and I have not heard any detination yet.