Sorry for the dumb question, I'm not much of a mechanic...at all, and I see knock and retard listed everywhere but I'm not sure what they are. I've tried looking it up on google but I can't seem to find a definition that really breaks it down. Can anyone define for me what knock is, what retard is, and what the importance of reducing them is? I have a 2003 Monte Carlo SS, N/A 3.8. The more info the better. Thank you.

 

Since you're NA you really don't have to worry about it, but if you want some good reading assignment ZZP has a great link about it....

http://www.zzperformance.com/grand_p...les1.php?id=20

 

Exactly, unless you're boosted (or have a custom built bottom end setup with higher compression)- you don't need to worry at all about it.

The quick way to explain it is the engine knocking from the a/f mixture exploding before the spark plug fires (this is chaotic, and damaging- and hurts power output). It happens when people try to run too much timing or too much boost for their mods (or octane level). The easy way to eliminate knock is to use higher octane gas or add more engine mods (or back down boost).

Knock retard is a term used by the car's engine computer. The engine has knock sensors to tell it when the engine is knocking, and it pulls timing to get rid of the knock (this is measured as KR or knock retard)- retarding the timing.

 

Quatermain, don't feel bad, i asked the same dumb question a few weeks ago!!! blacksheep mike had to explain it to me! it was a good question, don't hesitate to ask questions we're all learning new things everyday!!!