will bad knock sensor knock down hp

**zaaronz** · 10-11-2010, 10:53 AM

I recently had my 98 trans am dyno'd, and it only put out 263 hp and 284tq. The car seems to run fine, only thing wrong with it is it threw a code for a bad knock sensor a few weeks ago. Just wondering if a bad knock sensor could be the reason for the low hp? btw-car is bone stock, 143k, a4.

**zaaronz** · 10-12-2010, 11:55 AM

anyone??????

**shady milkman** · 10-12-2010, 12:14 PM

knock will hurt your numbers as it will cut timing ..id replace it no matter what and re-dyno..146k is a lot of miles and i wouldnt be surprised if your engine is just tired or at the very least..your sensors are tired

**jiveass** · 10-12-2010, 12:15 PM

hellz yea knock sensor is vital to correct engine timing....not sure where its located on an ls1, but its under my intake manifold on my truck.....

**shady milkman** · 10-12-2010, 12:21 PM

there are two of them located in the valley cover underneath your intake manifold..take the manifold off..pry the black covers off and replace the sensors and inspect the wiring

here is a shot of my engine you see the two knock sensors ?

**sunsetorangess** · 10-12-2010, 12:53 PM

Originally Posted by jiveass

hellz yea knock sensor is vital to correct engine timing....not sure where its located on an ls1, but its under my intake manifold on my truck.....

Yepp there important, and your correct located under the intake manifold.
While your there it may be time to upgrade to a ls6 manifold.
J

**zaaronz** · 10-12-2010, 01:03 PM

yeah i was planning on upgrading to a ls6 intake since i gotta pull mine off anyway to replace the knock sensors. Im sure hoping that its the knock sensors thats knocking my hp down and not just a weak old motor. It did feel like i lost power tho as soon as i threw a code for em.

**Cutlass** · 10-12-2010, 06:09 PM

I believe when the knock sensor codes set, the engine runs off the low octane spark table. So yes, that will kill the hp numbers

**0rion** · 10-12-2010, 08:36 PM

moisture may be the culprit but at that mileage it could also just be time. Do you wash the engine down with water?

**zaaronz** · 10-14-2010, 01:30 PM

Originally Posted by 0rion

moisture may be the culprit but at that mileage it could also just be time. Do you wash the engine down with water?

Yeah im sure i ruined the knock sensor, if thats what your asking. The engine was really dirty so i washed it and soon after is when my knock sensor went out. I found out later by doing some reading thats its easy to mess em up by spraying water there. O well i learned that the hard way- but at least its clean under the hood now lol

**0rion** · 10-14-2010, 04:21 PM

Originally Posted by zaaronz

Yeah im sure i ruined the knock sensor, if thats what your asking. The engine was really dirty so i washed it and soon after is when my knock sensor went out. I found out later by doing some reading thats its easy to mess em up by spraying water there. O well i learned that the hard way- but at least its clean under the hood now lol

don't feel bad....you're not the first to do that.