[Diy_efi] Knock Detection using GM ESC Module

[Ken Richardson]

#5 was the worse piston. We use the older GM HEI but with mechanical
advance. We are using an ESC module from an early 90's truck interfaced to a
warning light on the dash. I was just wondering how reliable the ESC modules
are.

Ken


----- Original Message -----
From: "Programmer" <nwester at eidnet.org>
To: <Diy_efi at diy-efi.org>
Sent: Wednesday, May 29, 2002 11:04 PM
Subject: Re: [Diy_efi] Knock Detection using GM ESC Module


> #4 piston happen to be the melter ?
> Are you using a GM HEI, non mech advance, 7 pin module and ESC computer ?
>
> Lyndon.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Ken Richardson" <krichar at ns.sympatico.ca>
> To: <Diy_efi at diy-efi.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, May 29, 2002 3:20 PM
> Subject: Re: [Diy_efi] Knock Detection using GM ESC Module
>
>
> > Melted tops and ring lands broke on one piston. It's clearly detonation.
> We
> > are limited to what we can do to the engine by our rules. We run a GM
HEI
> > distributor with MSD coil, 9.2:1 compression, fairly stock cam. Premium
> fuel
> > only.
> >
> > The engine ran A1 on the dyno for 20 to 30 pulls, everything looked
fine.
> We
> > ran 1 heat race and a practice session before the race with no problems.
> The
> > plugs looked fine after the dyno pulls and heat race/practice. It almost
> > seems the carb picked up some dirt during the race, although we didn't
> find
> > anything. Regardless, a knock detection device "might" have saved us,
> that's
> > why we put one on the engine. Now I'm wondering how much we should trust
> it.
> >
> > Ken
> >
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Programmer" <nwester at eidnet.org>
> > To: <Diy_efi at diy-efi.org>
> > Sent: Wednesday, May 29, 2002 12:13 PM
> > Subject: Re: [Diy_efi] Knock Detection using GM ESC Module
> >
> >
> > > "melted pistons" or broke off ring lands ? Detonation looks different
> than
> > > running lean. Which distributor are you running ? What compression,
cam
> > and
> > > fuel choices ?
> > >
> > > Lyndon
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "Ken Richardson" <krichar at ns.sympatico.ca>
> > > To: <diy_efi at diy-efi.org>
> > > Sent: Wednesday, May 29, 2002 4:57 AM
> > > Subject: [Diy_efi] Knock Detection using GM ESC Module
> > >
> > >
> > > > We recently had one of our race engines fail due to a lean
condition.
> It
> > > > basically detonated itself to death, melted 4 pistons until one
> finally
> > > let
> > > > go. The engine ran fine on the dyno and in testing so we think it
was
> a
> > > fuel
> > > > restriction that caused it. We couldn't find anything so we're going
> to
> > > > richen the carb up and add some octane boost to the fuel to be on
the
> > safe
> > > > side.
> > > >
> > > > I picked up a GM ESC module from an early 90's GMC truck, 5.7L. Our
> race
> > > > engine is a 350cid GM smallblock bored 0.060 oversized. I'm going to
> use
> > > the
> > > > ESC module with a power transistor to drive a warning light on the
> dash
> > of
> > > > the car. I haven't experimented with this before, it looks like it
> > should
> > > > work. Lightly tapping on the block with a hammer flashes the light.
> Will
> > > the
> > > > ESC module/sensor consistently detect detonation at higher RPMs, in
> the
> > > > range of 3800 to 5800rpm? This is the RPM range we run the engine.
> Will
> > > the
> > > > larger cylinder diameter throw the sensor tuning off enough that it
> > won't
> > > be
> > > > reliable?
> > > >
> > > > We want to limit our chances of burning any more pistons. We got
lucky
> > > this
> > > > time, no damage to the block, although the heads needed to be
rebuilt
> > due
> > > to
> > > > the aluminum buildup. It gets expensive not to mention working our
> buts
> > > off
> > > > to get ready for the next race.
> > > >
> > > > Opinions??
> > > >
> > > > Thanks
> > > > Ken R.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > _______________________________________________
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> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
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> >
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>
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