Knock monitor

Hi Guys,

Can you please share knock monitor you are using , trying to monitor knock whilst doing the ignition table on road.

I have seen link knock but seems expensive/prepared to buy though

there is then plex which is pricy at around 1k and there is phormula ( uk made ones) which are reasonable but no data logging which link offers

Plex3, previously Plex2 and Knockblock from Link.

I used the Link Knock Block, loved that it was portable, built in battery, easy to setup (there's basically 1 knob on it lol). Audio was very clear, but there's no built in filter. I switched to the Plex Monitor v2, which has more functionality, but takes more time to setup if you want individual cylinder detection. The main reason why I did the switch is that I wanted the audio filters. There's a new Plex V3 now available also, but I haven't played with it.

Finally, there's a lot of good review about the Tuner Nerd, but I have no experience with it.

There's some webinar/article I think about knock detection on HPA, you should take a look at it!

Hope it helps,

Frank

Thanks guys, I am very tempted by tuner nerd. It has many features comparing with link. I don't want to spend £1000 on plex and seen good reviews on nerd

Spent sometime looking at tunernerd. don't see much feedback. I can see some positive and some negative dating back to 2019 where there is mention of buggy software

For me, I am going to be on the road doing the initial map and ignition timing and by sound of it, I can't use tunernerd directly without a laptop which means I can't /prob can run link software and tunernerd together but it may be delayed due to computer processing the info or ...

my laptop is core i5 etc / quite strong however much prefer having hardware processor than software one

I thought of using link g4 built in knock sensor, would that work in your view/log details on every run and see if it knocks?

I like tunernerd and has many features which I think the plug in ecu already provides so really what I am missing is audio feedback realtime without relying on pc.

what do you think?

I have an old Phormula unit that just keeps on working so I've not updated, but there are likely more advanced options available now and I see some compelling suggestions have been made.

Link ECUs offer knock windowing and adjustable gain, threshold so their internal system works pretty well as long as you're working with a platform and knock sensor that provides quality data. For example, some OE sensors like the 2J Supra don't provide ideal output for use with most standalones and should be replaced with a typical Bosch unit. Depending on your application, the OE sensor may already work great.

If you really are not ready to invest in a proper standalone knock detection system, here is how some folks used to do it:

https://forums.hybridz.org/topic/91310-diy-knock-sensor/

I do NOT advocate this approach, but it seemed to have worked for the experienced.

Personally, I strongly recommend to use LINK Knockblock as the least costly option.

First choice is PLEX V3.

Take this information for what it is worth for you.

i have a tunernerd setup for my car and at least on my old laptop at the time, it had a slight delay in the headphone audio.

So by the time you heard the knocking start - it had been happening for a small amount of time already (less than a second)

I have not tried it over the last year as I've not needed to touch the timing for a while, and they have updated the software a few times since then.

It was a good datalogger knock monitor but ...

If your doing stuff yourself it would be fine because your going to take care of your own car and creep up on the timing you want i would guess

But, if your doing customer cars, invest in something really good and learn how to make the best use of it.

You want the good tools for the job so you don't melt someones engine down.

had a Phormula unit was happy with it, tried a Plex, and was more happy.

Thanks all, lovely comments. I looked at det can and seems to work. In fairness ready to invest in proper tool and think link monitor is what I will go for

tunernerd no go due to software processing and phormula , can’t speak to anyone in sales, tried few times and it goes to voicemail. Rather invest in a tool which has been updated and ratified which seems to be either plex or link. Plex too expensive for what I need

Thanks all, lovely comments. I looked at det can and seems to work. In fairness ready to invest in proper tool and think link monitor is what I will go for

tunernerd no go due to software processing and phormula , can’t speak to anyone in sales, tried few times and it goes to voicemail. Rather invest in a tool which has been updated and ratified which seems to be either plex or link. Plex too expensive for what I need

Thanks all, lovely comments. I looked at det can and seems to work. In fairness ready to invest in proper tool and think link monitor is what I will go for

tunernerd no go due to software processing and phormula , can’t speak to anyone in sales, tried few times and it goes to voicemail. Rather invest in a tool which has been updated and ratified which seems to be either plex or link. Plex too expensive for what I need

I bought a link knockblock but was delayed for more than a month so cancelled it and project died off

Now starting again and trying to decide between knockblock, phermula and plex second hand.

need something for road tuning as unsure if Incan rely on link ecu knock control

I am told there is an aftermarket 'knock sensor conditioner' that is sold and will convert the output of the Bosch knock sensor into a 0-5v signal. Is anyone aware of this and a link to it?

Last time i've checked tunernerd was out of stocks on their higher end models. To be honest with you be on the safe side get your hands on a knockblock what seems from your profile is youre based on UK partsplug & Brands hatch performance shop ( BHP ) should have couple of them in stock ready to roll i think.

Tunernerd have new product coming soon V4 : https://tunernerd.com/products/knock-monitor-pro-v4-pre-order-dec-23

It seems the v4 has that display which is also the processor but then don’t know what is need for windows software

Aram,

I have just purchased the the plex direct from them. They have stock. The initial settings looked reasonably straight forward and I will be testing it soon. Initial impressions are very good. The new looms are very high quality.

Plex v4?

given my link has knocm control and engine has two sensors, would you trust link to do the work?

i guess I need to get the base setup correctly but if car is na and I use link knowck detection, that might work?