valves rattle when hot

[98-LS1]

I can't figure this out, lately untill I took the thermostat out my car has been pinging really loud and falling on it's face at WOT. I run 93 in it all the time, it ran at about 210 then I bought a 160* thermostat to cool it down some. It helped but still rattled at WOT so I said fuck it and took the thermostat out completely. Now that I'm not running a thermostat at all it runs great, doesn't get hot, doesn't ping and pulls like a pissed off bitch on steroids. Could this be a problem with detonation? Spark retard causing it to cut back the timing at WOT? It's going to the dealership tomorrow to get a service and get the few problems it has fixed. Also, there is a popping sound in the front suspension and it pulls to the right. Kinda seems like a busted shock, I checked for anything broken or loose and found nothing. It's a 98 Z-28 camaro with the slushbox POS A4. Thanks

[86TransAm383]

ping happens for two reasons timing and detination (spelling) timing to far advanced will do it and to low octane will do it.


hope that gives some help