STI detonation

hatchy · 06-13-2003, 01:43 PM

I started a new thread on naisoc.com about the detonation concern that STI owners have, but the mod decided to lump it into the two larger, unless threads (too noise, not enough info).

Anyway, I have a turbo civic that use to ping on 91 octane gas. It is a bored out and fully built GSR block, running about 15psi and making about 300whp. When it started to ping, I swapped out the spark plugs for cooler plugs and the problem went away.

I am thinking that maybe some STI may have gotten the wrong spark plugs? The ECU should all be programmed the same, so the expectation is that if it pings on 91 octane gas, everyone using 91 octane gas should ping (assuming similar conditions). But that isn't the case. I am using 91 octane and my car does not ping, no matter how hard I push it. If nothing else, we should see a lot more people with problems than the handful of reported cases if the ECU is indeed the cause.

Also, the compression ratio on the STI is low (8.2:1) and even with 16.5psi of boost, and 24 degree of advance, it "should" be okay. I am running 10.2:1 compression on the civic with about 18 degree of advance on boost and I think I am running a higher flowing turbo (I haven't see compressor maps for the VF39, so I am guessing here). My turbo is a T0D5-18G on the civic.

Anyway, if you are reading this, and if you own a STI that pings, can you pull one of your plugs and see if it matches what the manal says you should have? Can you also check the gapping?

hatchy · 06-14-2003, 01:10 PM

62 views, no responses, maybe the pinging issuing isn't as wide spread as some people believe.

ingraham · 06-14-2003, 02:16 PM

I am on 93 octane fuel and coming out of the breakin period. No pinging.

octane · 06-14-2003, 03:07 PM

I have 1200 miles, and my car occasionally pings with 92 and 93 octane.

darwood · 06-16-2003, 08:27 PM

I have 1600k miles and have pinging with 91 octane. Um I would check the plug but I have no idea how to get to it. Can someone give me come instructions on how to get to the thing and where I should be looking?

Thanks

stiperformance · 06-16-2003, 08:56 PM

I have 1000 miles on mine and its pinging slightly on Sunoco Ultra 94. It is easy reproducible and audible between 3-4K. I can't hear anything after 4k, so the ECU seems to power right through. A tech at the dealer will be looking at it sometime this week. Hopefully SOA will remedy this problem ASAP. I'd imagine all STi's will suffer, its just some people don't really know what to listen for.

hatchy · 06-16-2003, 10:50 PM

My STI does not ping and I am running 91 octane gas. In fact, I have a PSI3 SCES unit installed and I have never seen it even pull timing once because of knock. Did I just get lucky?

Quote:

Originally Posted by stiperformance

I have 1000 miles on mine and its pinging slightly on Sunoco Ultra 94. It is easy reproducible and audible between 3-4K. I can't hear anything after 4k, so the ECU seems to power right through. A tech at the dealer will be looking at it sometime this week. Hopefully SOA will remedy this problem ASAP. I'd imagine all STi's will suffer, its just some people don't really know what to listen for.

hatchy · 06-16-2003, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darwood

I have 1600k miles and have pinging with 91 octane. Um I would check the plug but I have no idea how to get to it. Can someone give me come instructions on how to get to the thing and where I should be looking?

Thanks

06-16-2003, 11:28 PM

It's funny you mention that Darwood, I had a guy looking in the hood with me this weekend and he just kept looking around. Finally he says "where the hell's the engine?" It is hard to find stuff in there, glad to know where the plugs are now.

4MLA1FN · 06-17-2003, 05:40 AM

lmao! "where the hell's the *engine*?" ??? that is too funny. that's what i say when i look under the hood of mercedes and bmw. they hide everything under big plastic covers. yuk! i love how ours is exposed. one of the most beautiful engines i've seen was the SHO. okay, back on topic!

SnowbordrWRX · 06-17-2003, 06:35 AM

flashback to that scene in F&F where Johnny Tran is shoving that mechanics face into the engine bay of one of his cars....

06-13-2003, 01:43 PM	#1
hatchy Junior STI Driver Location: NorCal Posts: 99 Join Date: Mar 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	I started a new thread on naisoc.com about the detonation concern that STI owners have, but the mod decided to lump it into the two larger, unless threads (too noise, not enough info). Anyway, I have a turbo civic that use to ping on 91 octane gas. It is a bored out and fully built GSR block, running about 15psi and making about 300whp. When it started to ping, I swapped out the spark plugs for cooler plugs and the problem went away. I am thinking that maybe some STI may have gotten the wrong spark plugs? The ECU should all be programmed the same, so the expectation is that if it pings on 91 octane gas, everyone using 91 octane gas should ping (assuming similar conditions). But that isn't the case. I am using 91 octane and my car does not ping, no matter how hard I push it. If nothing else, we should see a lot more people with problems than the handful of reported cases if the ECU is indeed the cause. Also, the compression ratio on the STI is low (8.2:1) and even with 16.5psi of boost, and 24 degree of advance, it "should" be okay. I am running 10.2:1 compression on the civic with about 18 degree of advance on boost and I think I am running a higher flowing turbo (I haven't see compressor maps for the VF39, so I am guessing here). My turbo is a T0D5-18G on the civic. Anyway, if you are reading this, and if you own a STI that pings, can you pull one of your plugs and see if it matches what the manal says you should have? Can you also check the gapping? This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

06-14-2003, 01:10 PM	#2
hatchy Junior STI Driver Location: NorCal Posts: 99 Join Date: Mar 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	Import Tuner July 2003 62 views, no responses, maybe the pinging issuing isn't as wide spread as some people believe.

06-17-2003, 06:35 AM	#11
SnowbordrWRX Drive True Posts: 1,337,039 Join Date: May 2002 Trader Rating: (0)	flashback to that scene in F&F where Johnny Tran is shoving that mechanics face into the engine bay of one of his cars.... This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

06-14-2003, 02:16 PM	#3
ingraham Junior STI Driver Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 104 Join Date: Apr 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	I am on 93 octane fuel and coming out of the breakin period. No pinging.

06-14-2003, 03:07 PM	#4
octane Amateur STI Driver Posts: 11 Join Date: May 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	I have 1200 miles, and my car occasionally pings with 92 and 93 octane.

06-16-2003, 08:27 PM	#5
darwood Senior STI Driver Car: White 04 WRX STi Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 335 Join Date: Nov 2002 Trader Rating: (0)	I have 1600k miles and have pinging with 91 octane. Um I would check the plug but I have no idea how to get to it. Can someone give me come instructions on how to get to the thing and where I should be looking? Thanks

06-16-2003, 08:56 PM	#6
stiperformance Professional STI Racer Location: PA Posts: 762 Join Date: Jan 2003 Trader Rating: (1)	I have 1000 miles on mine and its pinging slightly on Sunoco Ultra 94. It is easy reproducible and audible between 3-4K. I can't hear anything after 4k, so the ECU seems to power right through. A tech at the dealer will be looking at it sometime this week. Hopefully SOA will remedy this problem ASAP. I'd imagine all STi's will suffer, its just some people don't really know what to listen for.

06-16-2003, 11:28 PM	#9
turbs Posts: n/a	It's funny you mention that Darwood, I had a guy looking in the hood with me this weekend and he just kept looking around. Finally he says "where the hell's the engine?" It is hard to find stuff in there, glad to know where the plugs are now.

06-17-2003, 05:40 AM	#10
4MLA1FN hatin' ovals Car: 04 subaru wrx sti Location: alexandria, va Posts: 2,460 Join Date: Jun 2002 Trader Rating: (0)	lmao! "where the hell's the engine?" ??? that is too funny. that's what i say when i look under the hood of mercedes and bmw. they hide everything under big plastic covers. yuk! i love how ours is exposed. one of the most beautiful engines i've seen was the SHO. okay, back on topic!