Hi Honda Guys,
I'm working on a 97 Integra with a recent 12.5:1 rebuild. The customer complained about pinging (Ididn't do the rebuild & he can't find the guy who did) & wanted me to install a thicker headgasket to take out some compression. Before I even tore into it I found the following issues;
-EVAP hose disconnected
-cold air intake had no provision for IAT so connector was just hanging
-Vtec sensor (correct term?) unhooked
-coolant temp sensor unhooked
-pretty sure it's a stock tune (customer isn't sure)
This is a preliminary post as I'll address these issues before even thinking about the headgasket but my question is how do these individual issues affect performance?
Any and all replies appreciated.

 

vtec pressure sensor not hooked up wouldnt let vtec engage
coolant temp not hooked up is just stupid in general
stock untuned ecu with 12.5:1 is a recipe for disaster

let me guess, this guy bought the car like this and has no idea what's done to it?

 

Run big cams for the pinging, they'll bleed off some compression
Get the car tune, more then likely that's majority of your problems.

 

Thanks for the replies. I think you guys are right, the tune is probably the cause. I'll post an update in a few days if anyone wants to hear it.

 

Sounds like the owner is quite an idiot...

 

Ask him what gas he is running also. I've seen guys driving s2000's on regular gas instead of the premium there designed for. Same goes for any vtec with high compression. Higher compression means higher temps so a low grade gas will ignite too soon. Premium has a higher ignition temp so there is less pinging because its not per-igniting. Pinging is from timing, gas, or spark. Or all three combined from what it sounds like in this case.

 

also if any of the intake air sensors are unplugged its probably getting a bad reading which will cause retarded timing which will lead to pinging on a high comp engine.

 

Ummmm no.

Retarded timing will not increase pinging or detonation on any engine. Unless you meant "retarded" as in wrong or crazy context. But physically retarding your timing is usually a remedy for pinging.

 

Ummmmm yeah besides the fact that you just contradicted yourself at the end, um yeah as a matter of fact if you advance or retard your timing to much you will get the same pinging effect. Obviously someone has never played around with a carbureted engine before and turned the dizzy to far either way.

 

Thanks for the replies.
Here's why I try to ask the customer the same question 10 different ways; cause you get 10 different answers. Found out it's a non-vtec car with a vtec engine. There's no connector for the vtec @ all so the computer isn't supplying fuel at high rpm. It doesn't know it has 2 cam profiles! Problem solved, soon as he picks up a new harness. Fun......