Can a factory type knock sensor be used alert when detonation starts? I have no idea how they work, just curious if anyone here has experimented with this or knows how they work. With loud exhaust it's sometimes hard to pick up on any pinging etc., just wondering if it may work? Dumb idea? :D Bob

Hey Bob, When I had my GN I was very familair with them. The computer would retard the timing if the sensor detected detonation. I dont think however one would work too well on a souped up big/small block. Every little click or tick in your motor will set it off and the sensor can't differentiate between a solid lifter cam, and detonation. Just my opinion, maybe someone else has used one and will chime in. smile.gif
Steve

So it basically acts as a switch then? Interesting

SMS, pretty much summed it up .....I have a late model car I race and had to "insulate" the sensors to guard against false knock when headers were added and any rattle could set them off ........but they do work very well if you could install with corresponding controller that could identify the amount of knock so to know how much to retard ..... IMO if you just hooked it up to a switch for a predetermined retard value it would have to be a significant amount of retard to protect against serious knock so it would really be like a " safe" mode rather than a gradual retard value as knock increase's .....also where you locate sensor in block or ? is important .....but if someone came up with an aftermarket kit for old style motors that reduces timing relative to amount of knock it would be a great idea ..... solid lifters ands noisy gear drives would be a challenge FWIW