Pinging and Octane Issue with JDM B18c

I just swaped a JDM B18c into a 94ls teg. Everything works very well, good price too. Now, here’s the problem. I have major pinging and hesitation. It seems to happen in two significant places. First, is where the car starts from a stop, or when I decide to gas it hard. Next, between about 3800 rpm to 4000 rpm, it pings. I don’t get it? Why does it do it during initial fuel injection. Someone explain this to me. Also, what’s up with 3800 rpm to 4000 rpm? Vtec engagement is not until 4400 right? Oh and when vtec engages there is no pinging. Lower dynamic compression because of the vtec lobe maybe? I thought that JDM b18c OBD I, 94-95 spec was 10.6:1. How could that relatively low compression cause pingjng?

Well anyways, I just got back from a 76 gas station in Newport Beach on San Miguel where they have 100 octane race gas. I put 2 gallons of the good stuff in and pinging is almost gone. By my calculations I’m running 92.38462 octane. Does that mean I really need to 94 octane the r+m/2 method equivalent to Japanese 99 octane RON gas?

Oh by the way, the shop that did this chipped the ecu to run a more aggressive fuel map. Could that have caused the problem?

Final, I have already retarded the time a little. I don’t really want to retard it further. I like the response and power. So what to do. I am planning to switch to colder plugs. Or is it hotter plugs that I need to stop pinging?

Here’s what I need help with.

1. What else do I need to do to stop pinging, beside new plugs?
2. Would switching to skunk 2 stage 2 help? Bigger cams lowers dynamic compression?
3. Does air temperature effect pinging? Would a cold air intake help?
4. Would cleaning the fuel system help? I already put in a bottle of ZMAX fuel system cleaner. What else should I use?

Sorry long post.

Thx for your help.

 

come on; anyone?

 

first u should definetly be running at least 94 octane fuel with that engine, try running the higher level fuel on a consistent basis( not 92.xxxx, 94 or above). as far as the pinging is concerned the horse unrine that u are pumping thru the engine cannot help but like i said try the higher octane fuel first , but adressing the fuel system is also a very good idea( regulater, pump).

 

Your running to lean in places, I would have your fuel map rechecked.

And don't drive it much until then, detonation will kill your new engine

 

Bring back your base timing a little and see if it helps. Either your base timing is set too high, or the custom ecu has more advance in the map. It could also be a lean condition, but I'd look to the timing first.

 

Thx for the rely all.

"horse urine" - absolutely. It sucks to be in California. All we have out here is 91. And not just 91 but 91 filled with all kinds of crap for the emission. We used to have 92, but that went away because of emission again. Retard the timing and enrich the fuel i guess. Or pay an arm and a leg for race gas.

If there are further suggestion pls chime in. Thx