Knock Question

[Robert Harris]

What I am looking for is information on how to detect the sharp increase in
ionization that is a result of a knock event, which other than excessive
advance, is generally not related to an adequate ignition system.  Once I
have a methodology, I intend to use it rather than acoustics as a knock
detector and adjust timing accordingly.  The cheap microphone with filtering
works for a manufactor with thousands of engineering hours to fine tune it
to a specific engine, however, I'd like a fast acting, reliable, non fussy
detection method sometime before the asteroid arrives.

The Jacob's Ignition address's a totally different non-problem for the
engines I am trying to improve.  They feature fast burn, good swirl, closed
chambers - thus making them remarkably resistant to improvement by wallet
weight reduction. The benefit of all (pick your favorite brand and insert
here) enhanced ignition systems is inversely proportional to the goodness of
the chamber and other mechanical design factors and directly proportional to
the crappiness of the fuel and mixture.

But thanks for the link - Dr. Jacob's is always worth looking at - even if
you choose not to use his stuff.

From: "M&D" <91coupe at bellsouth.net>
Date: Sat, 14 Mar 1998 23:59:33 -0500
Subject: Re: Knock Question

I think the Jacobs Energy-pak aftermarket ignition amplifier uses this very
method (sparkplug) to see the condition of the combusting mixture. see
http://www.jacobselectronics.com

Michael Harrington
91coupe at bellsouth.net
91 RX-7 Coupe "Pearl" w/ some mods
N3WJE Ham