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Hi everyone. I'm looking for advice on the best way to safely squeeze all the timing I can from my 514. I'm running multi-port fuel injection controlled by a Holley Commander 950, so setting timing for the entire operating range is easy, but (as I saw in another post) I fear I won't hear a ping when present. I saw a thread on making your own knock sensor, and am curious about that too.

Vettestr - You mentioned using the ECM interface from your Holley injection. Are you running a Commander 950 also? I noticed a lead in my wiring diagram for a knock sensor. Can this be utilized with the home built unit? Can a complete sensor unit be bought to save the trouble of building one?

I'm also curious as to whether a knock sensor is necessary, or if dyno-tuning the car eliminates the need for this (assuming we could set max timing for most conditions on dyno with a temporary knock sensor).

Here are my stats:

- Motorsport 514
- swapped cam for slightly milder one (232/240 duration vs. 258/268 original)
- Victor Jr. intake modified for MPFI
- Holley Commander 950 system controller
- Currently running 27 degrees of initial timing and maxing out at 41 (engine runs rough with less initial timing. I was told that BBL's often want up to 28.)
- The car currently runs very well - no burps or pops (or pings that I know of), and very strong... but I suspect there is more power to be had within a safe margin.

There is a picture of my timing advance map in my gallery. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.