detonation or not?

[Little Beavis]

the j&s is the ultimate tool to get, it actually does something if hearing knock

Enough said? Nah. . .

Yes the J&S will detect knock and pull timing to save your engine. You can also use it to give you some mild timing control. John (@ J&S) programmed mine to pull timing in the 3 to 5k range where max torque occurs (max torque more or less means best chance for detonation too). He can program it to do whatever you want for that range and switch it so that you can have different levels. It is a really nice unit. I did have a "problem" with the car before and whether or not my engine would have blown, I do not know, but the J&S sprung into action and my engine is still running like a champ. That was enough for me.

And if anyone buys one. . .I've got a knock only gauge that I'll sell cheap. Or you can do a custom like I did.

Here's a thread I started on the J&S some time ago:
http://www.mazdamp3.com/vbb230/showthread.php?s=&threadid=28493&perpage=15&highlight=J&pagenumber=1

If I had to do it again, I would move the mid-range retard up a little higher and make it 0,2,4,6 or even 0,3,6,9 as I needed 3 degrees of retard when running 7 psi on 93 octane.

I'd be happy to answer (as best I can) any questions you have.

 

[unwrittenLaw]

What else could i do to prevent pre-ignition at higher boost?...a fmic to cool down the intake temps more..?

 

[loudpdl]

that's the million dollar question. I was set to install my MBC, but (after hearing the horror stories) now I'm going to wait until it warms up and install a knock sensor.

Would it help to install even colder plugs (2 heat ranges cooler than stock)?

 

[igdrasil]

Yeah...colder plugs will help when temperatures are the problem.
When the problem is ignition timing, they wont.

So you mazdaspeed people, get 1 or 2 heat range colder plugs, just in case.

Some of you are worried about intercooler efficiency, then you should get a water sprayer for the intercooler.