aftermarket knock sensors: what do you know?

[PotvinGuy]

Anyone had experience with an aftermarket knock sensor? Names, prices, do they work, etc.

 

[ellis8500]

Look at rockauto.com and get the OEM sensor.

 

[Keeper]

What do you plan on using them for? I had all sorts of trouble with knock sensors on my 95 Sonoma, turned out to not be the sensors, but the factory splice connecting the two, to the computer....lots of money chasing that damn problem, found the real problem on accident.

 

[PotvinGuy]

Let me clarify. I don't need just a sensor, I want a system that can reliably detect knock and alert me. I know MSD has one, but it is primitive and expensive. I'm working on timing design, and need such a device to keep from going bang.

 

[GT63]

Let me clarify. I don't need just a sensor, I want a system that can reliably detect knock and alert me. I know MSD has one, but it is primitive and expensive. I'm working on timing design, and need such a device to keep from going bang.

Some of the EFI ECUs have a knock sensor circuit. I know the Accel DFI Gen 7 ecu has a knock sensor circuit. What's nice about the EFI ECUs is when you want to adjust the timing, you just connect your laptop and edit the Timing table, save it the the ECU and try it out.

 

[tnoftsger]

There are litterally dozens of articles one DIY Knock Sensors.

http://www.autospeed.com/cms/A_0348/article.html

This is a nice article a quick google search netted me.

 

[blownt]

My buddy had the MSD Knock Sensor on his blown 434 smallblock in his 38 Chevy sedan. He said he was amazed at how often it would light up.

 

[one finger john]

I have read that you can not run a solid or roller mechanical lifter with a knock sensor because of noise issues, i.e. lifter noise confuses the knock sensor. Is this true? Also sensor placement is important.

John

 

[Hot Rod Todd]

I have read that you can not run a solid or roller mechanical lifter with a knock sensor because of noise issues, i.e. lifter noise confuses the knock sensor. Is this true? Also sensor placement is important.

John

They can also be set off by a gear drive. I have a locally made one (from Link Electrosystems here in NZ) and it cost about NZ$120 (US$$80) but as I have a blower, a solid roller cam and a gear drive, and run on 98 pumpgas, the lights flicker a bit.

The Link system comes with a bunch of 5 LED lights and the more that turn on, the quicker I lift my foot.

Link also have newer knock-box systems that have an output wire which can be set up to take timing out of the engine automatically, but that needs a bit more computer power than my engine has.

 

[Screaming Metal]

I have read that you can not run a solid or roller mechanical lifter with a knock sensor because of noise issues, i.e. lifter noise confuses the knock sensor. Is this true? Also sensor placement is important.

John

Yes and no...Lifter noise USUALLY won't make them go off. But a gear drive banging away under the timing cover will. Spark knock and preignition hits with authority usually, like lugging a motor too low and still pulling a load....

Theres quite a few systems out there, the one Todd speaks of is good....MSD, Accel, Jacobson, and a few others have systems that can be set up for the knock sensor. Don't be afraid to experiment here. Better to have too much warning than not enough....