Phormula Knock Detection > Knockblock

[slider2828]

I hope this is the right section if not mods can you please move? Thanks...

Well I try to do a bit of tuning and have been really doing some research on the knocklink and the knockblock... But I am across something made overseas in Europe from a company called Phormula that makes the KS4. Its the freaking most craziest knocksensor I have scene.... Steveshadows you have great experience on the knockblock, can you comment on this device, I am really interested in purchasing it. Also they offer group deals as well.

The KS4 has a 0-5v output for knock, it also has a onboard digital processor and LCD display with warning when knock occurs. Also has a built in audio port for headphones.... Its not too bad of the price... But I thought this is pretty important since it is a knock detection device built specifically for the SR20DET.

Pic of KS-3
http://www.phormula.co.uk/images/products/ks3/ks3%20warning%20pop.jpg

Detailed Video of the KS-3 in Action
Demonstration - KS-3 Knock Analyser and Knock Analyser Pro (http://www.phormula.co.uk/Player.aspx?clip=KS-3Demo&title=Demonstration%20-%20KS-3%20Knock%20Analyser%20and%20Knock%20Analyser%20Pr o)
(Note: the KS-3 is shown here, still awesome and much cheaper than the KS-4 which is the upgrade.)

Looking forward to watch you think about it Steve. On that page, they also have a useful tool called the knock calculator which is a rough estimate based on piston size, the knock threshold frequency......

[smelly240]

i have the msd and the integral machines. they work nice but i still like my headphones and mic clamp better. the devices are nice - but they can lose resolution at high rpm - and in high power cars where theres more "noise"

[UNISA JECS]

I like that!

Guys that aren't familiar with the sound of knock, pay attention to that rattle sound when he indicates it, thats exactly what it sounds like in real life, if you got good ears you can hear it, or if your drive a KA24DET on a stock ECU, you shoudl be able to hear that as you enetering boost easily.

See this thread for the sound of detonation:

http://www.ka-t.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=36308&highlight=

[slider2828]

THat is why this device has a microprocessor where it doesn't lose resolution at high rpms. This is why it is such a good device.

ergh did you know it that with the knock analyzer you hook it up and you can route the sound to headphones?

Ergh did you notice the 0-5v output so you do sensor logging into devices like the LM-2 or even into emanage's and etc....

It also uses a high resolution bosch sensor?

[UNISA JECS]

THat is why this device has a microprocessor where it doesn't lose resolution at high rpms. This is why it is such a good device.

ergh did you know it that with the knock analyzer you hook it up and you can route the sound to headphones?

Ergh did you notice the 0-5v output so you do sensor logging into devices like the LM-2 or even into emanage's and etc....

It also uses a high resolution bosch sensor?

This would be a nice thing with my LM-2 =)

[smelly240]

It doesnt look like a bad unit but - wow its 665 bucks for the one u can listen to with headphones.

the msd, integral, gizzmoall have microprocessors also. and they all monitor the frequency all the time.

your stock knock sensor is a high resolution knock sensor (bosch replacement part number 64621)

i dont doubt this product works well, I just prefer to listen to it (for <$130) rather than wait for a beep or light or look at a log. You'll always be able to hear things the machine will ignore.

the 0-5v is nice for looking at logs - but when the piezoelectric crystal gives off its signal - and the ks-X gives out a voltage - do they have a voltage scale that they give you for using it within logworks? Or are you only supposed to look at abrupt changes in voltage? I am guessing its filtering out gradual changes in the frequency so you can see the erratic sound.

Its all stuff I would look into before buying something for 700$ from a company an ocean away.

[steve shadows]

Looking forward to watch you think about it Steve. On that page, they also have a useful tool called the knock calculator which is a rough estimate based on piston size, the knock threshold frequency......

I was actually contacted by this company about 3-4 months ago via email just to let me know about their product and was pretty entertained and interested to say the least.

I think it's a decent unit and would be beneficial for anyone concerned with having a handle on your knock levels for engine longevity, *HOWEVER* this does not mean you can or should tune by using a knock sensor and wideband tuning device, you must have a dyno- or at least some sort of device to graph the engine output in changes. You will see engine power curve changes and drops long before you see knock, so tuning off knock will be very detrimential, often times people who tune by knock tune up until they see knock then back off two degrees. NO!- Usually I can see power dropping and minor mis-firing/detonation occuring before knock happens up to 5-6 degrees before the range where knock occurs. So Just keep this in mind.

[slider2828]

Awesome thanks for your input...

[slider2828]

Steve, if a couple of us chipped in for airfare and you can stay at one of our houses and we rent a dyno, would you do a dyno day in Norcal?

[UNISA JECS]

It doesnt look like a bad unit but - wow its 665 bucks for the one u can listen to with headphones.

the msd, integral, gizzmoall have microprocessors also. and they all monitor the frequency all the time.

your stock knock sensor is a high resolution knock sensor (bosch replacement part number 64621)

i dont doubt this product works well, I just prefer to listen to it (for <$130) rather than wait for a beep or light or look at a log. You'll always be able to hear things the machine will ignore.

the 0-5v is nice for looking at logs - but when the piezoelectric crystal gives off its signal - and the ks-X gives out a voltage - do they have a voltage scale that they give you for using it within logworks? Or are you only supposed to look at abrupt changes in voltage? I am guessing its filtering out gradual changes in the frequency so you can see the erratic sound.

Its all stuff I would look into before buying something for 700$ from a company an ocean away.

Im almost ready to buy the KS-4 so I can log the knock in Nistune.

It looks abrupt voltage changes, but ofcourse if you got the ear phones you can set up the frequency threshold at which you wanna decide to call knock and then monitor your logs accordingly.

Heres a screen shot, and there usuing logworks from Innovate Motorsports:

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u159/zilvia_album/SP32-20090123-100336.gif

[slider2828]

Unisa!!! My girlfriend just bought me the RS-4! I got it in the mail this week for my birthday and christmas present and I just also got the LM-2 for trade-in program for LM-1.... Awesome will let you know when I get it all up and running... Birthday is the best and I have an awesome gf!!! There is some setup but I will take pics.... RS4 for the win!!

[UNISA JECS]

Unisa!!! My girlfriend just bought me the RS-4! I got it in the mail this week for my birthday and christmas present and I just also got the LM-2 for trade-in program for LM-1.... Awesome will let you know when I get it all up and running... Birthday is the best and I have an awesome gf!!! There is some setup but I will take pics.... RS4 for the win!!

Cool! You meant KS-4 right?

[slider2828]

Yah sorry KS4 hahaha was thinking about the audi lol... Hopefully I get it up this week... How you like your LM-2?

[UNISA JECS]

Yah sorry KS4 hahaha was thinking about the audi lol... Hopefully I get it up this week... How you like your LM-2?


The LM-2 is great, ofcourse I only use it for logging AFR and MAP and soon KNOCK =), I dont bother using it for anything else, thats what nistune is for =), If I were OBDII I could monitor all kinds of orther shit but it would just be redundent because Nistune takes care of the CONSULT logging for me on my OBDI S13.

[steve shadows]

Steve, if a couple of us chipped in for airfare and you can stay at one of our houses and we rent a dyno, would you do a dyno day in Norcal?


Yes.

I would also give you a discount - MAJOR ONE off the tuning labor rate of 600, so you would all have more money to pu towards the rental