Knock reduction with K&N CAI

[BlueBee6.1]

I installed a K&N CAI a 180 Jet TStat and the 93CAI canned tune, 9r08.
vehicle 2008 SRT8

The knock I was getting was really high at wot, 1st to 2nd, LT5deg - ST 6.5 deg, second gear wot 6000rpm ST3deg LT 4 deg. These are the max figures.
Kickdown from 5th, LT5 deg and ST 5deg.
The car also felt underpowered at higher RPM.

I figured she was not getting enough gas for the additional air flow, so I added more fuel progressively.
I eventually ended at +10% +15% +20% and have knock values of typically 1 to 3 deg, with 0deg LT knock The 3 deg is typically at WOT kickdown or if I back off the gas completely after accelerating at WOT.
I have Sunoco 94 Octane gas

The questions I have are :
1. How are the knock values, is 3deg still too high?
2. Is the mixture too rich at the above figures?
3. Can I check A/F with the Diablo?

[SRT8Tech]

1. 3 degrees is just fine. I see 3 degrees quite often. Max of 4-5 on shifts and sudden WOT downshifts.
2. Oh hell yeah that is rich. LOL, im at +5 +11 +11 and its hovering around 11.8 12.2 AFR with an AFE 2 intake.
3. Nope.

[mikel]

No telling if its too rich until you check it with a wideband or get it on a dyno, which will let you dial in the power.

If it feels lazy, you may have added too much fuel up top, the KR generally comes in at lower RPMs, and if you add fuel there, it should keep the knock down up top without the need for more fuel.

Also, if you dont have one already, get a catch can on that thing.

Thanks

[Mike_Levy]

I actually see most of my KR on the top end, very rare for it to happen at low rpms. Its like 4k and up.

[BlueBee6.1]

My kR is also at 400 rpm and higher. The earliest it has started is at 3850 rpm in 1st.
I tried fuel at +6% -10 - 10 and she was sluggish in 1st and had a flat spot above 4000 rpm in al other gears, flet like she wasnt getting enough fuel. She also had a more prevalent KR 1 ro 2 deg 70% of the time at this fule level.
Added more fuel progressively logging KR and performance until knock was down and acceleration clean in all gears with no flat spots. She revs cleanly now and pulls in all gears with the higher settings 10 15 20. I feel that when se goes into 4th she could accelerate a little harder as the rate of acceleration drops from third, which is of course natural but maybe that is just my wishful thinking.
I will have to get a wideband. Any sugestions on a particluar brand? I will also have to dyno the car to dial it in properly.
I would ask for help in selecting a good dyno shop in the Detroit area.
If necessary to get to a really good SRT8 knowledgeable dyno shop I am prepared to travel for 4 hours or so.
Your recommensations on a really good SRT8 dyno shop would be greatly appreciated. Would it be possible to pm me with a recommended shop?
Thanks everyone will update the thread when I have it all dialled in.

[Mike_Levy]

Are you by any chance in an area that has 10% Ethanol in the gas?. I am and have a feeling thats why it knocks like crazy. I was able to find a BP station that has no ethanol, and it runs a helluva lot stronger, with almost no KR. Used that in my past 2 tanks and the motor is much stronger.

[Quick]

Innovate (LC-1 with gauge), PLX SM-AFR/DM-100 (or 200), FAST if you want a small flat digital display, Autometer isn't bad. And it depends on what you want to spend.
There is always the chance that DS will get the integrated logging done with the Innovate so that might be a reason to get that one.
PLX has the best displays and a great controller (OLED and fully costomizeable and has a remote) but is a bit pricey.
Right now, the only OBD II scanner I know of that accepts a wideband input for integrated display and logging is the DashDAQ which will take the serial input from some systems like Innovate and will take the 0-5v analog input from any of them.

[RFischer]

I have the Innovate LM-2, I can datalog key items like rpm and spark along with AFR. The LM is not as good at measuring knock, or at least I can't find it on that unit.

[BlueBee6.1]

Thanks for the info guys.
I am in Detroit and I think I remeber seeing 10% ethenol the pump at Sunoco, I put in Sunoco 94.
Will look around for a non ethonol fuel.
I must say that when I put in two bottles of STP octane booster, it did help by one degree or so, the one bottle did not help at all.

Ths is my last week before she hibernates for the winte so need to find new 0% ethenol fule and log before she goes into hibernation. Will add some goodies to my winter to do list to put on the car during the winter!

Any recommendations of a good reputable dyno shop in the greater detroit or Michian area? I will travel to Chcago if necessary for a really good CMR tune.

[RFischer]

Dyno Steve owner of RDP is in Ohio now ...