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Gen 1 SBC Knock Sensor

26K views 20 replies 7 participants last post by  ap72 
#1 ·
G'day all, does anyone know how to rig up a knock sensor system on a sbc gen 1? , however crude ... Is a computer needed? ... Maybe a stethoscope with an extension , or a mic with a little amp and earphones would work, I dunno?
I never done it before, I see summit has knock sensor sender units, but are they just for gen 2 and 3's ? Heads are world sportsman two's..

Any u guys been faced with this task before?

All ideas welcome,

Thanks,



Duke
 
#6 ·
I'm not that concerned with controlling it ( by way of ignition retard ) ,
I just want to make sure I can HEAR it if its happening!!
I can't hear squat ATM and I'm 99.9% sure it's not detonating, just thought it might be cool to have some type of indication or amplification , so as to be aware.. Thanks


Duke
 
#7 ·
I'm not that concerned with controlling it ( by way of ignition retard ) ,
I just want to make sure I can HEAR it if its happening!!
I can't hear squat ATM and I'm 99.9% sure it's not detonating, just thought it might be cool to have some type of indication or amplification , so as to be aware.. Thanks


Duke
WIRE IT TO RELAY AS ON/OFF trigger to a idiot light in dash.. it'll light when you are knock'n boots in engine
 
#14 ·
Sorry I took so long to reply, got distracted. The links provided give you a good DIY start, BUT without tying it into computer controlled fuel/ignition you're very limited on how useful it will be. It can work as an "idiot light" so to speak but not really useful for tuning.

Also it is very easy to get a false reading with aftermarket valvetrain or sometimes pistons or a very worn engine block.

You may be better off just tuning it the "old fashioned way" with plug reading, vacuum reading, and some common sense starting points.
 
#15 ·
There are some special pin HEI distributor modules that provide spark retard functions of about 5 degree's when the correct pin is wired to ground. Perhaps you could find the correct knock sensor that would allow you to do this by simply wiring the pin through the sensor to chassis ground, you may need a relay. I think some of them needed the pin to see 12 V to do the same thing.

Wire a toggle in series to disable the trigger and maybe another toggle to manually force the retard function for starting up an agressively timed motor etc etc etc.

This could be a popular mod if we can figure out a basic configuration for it, me thinks it has been done.
 
#17 ·
If you're going through all that effort then just go with full electronic spark control with either HEI, EDIS, or COP. HEI and EDIS are both relatively cheap and easy to do. COP requires a cam sensor which can complicate things (adding a crank sensor is much easier).
 
#16 · (Edited)
Building on what Custom10 has said, the 82-86 ( I think ) LE9 305 engines come with electronic spark control that has an HEI distributor that has a 5-pin module, a distributor with a 4-pin computer connection AND vacuum advance AND mechanical advance, a tip-in sensor (for automatics only, I think), and a knock sensor. In theory, it should be transplant-able into any sbc, but I think the knock sensor itself would require some experimentation to find the right one.

Matt
 
#18 ·
Thanks ap72 , I understand now that without a computer than all I got is pretty much an idiot light but that's all I'm really after. I like the sound of f,birds little amp.
I got no ping ATM, at least not that I can detect. Just thought it might be a handy thing if I get a bad load of fuel while I'm out of town.

I was in line at McDonalds yesterday morning ,at my daughters request I must add, and this guy was pulled up in front of me....just had to take a photo, ha ha!


Duke
 

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