Phormula KS-3 knock sensor

[Jesus-Ninja]

Anyone running one of these? Seem more pricey than the Knock Link that so many have referenced on the forum, but seems to be a more versatile piece of kit, as well as a bit prettier :)

That said, knock is knock, and there seem to be good from people running the Knock link on here, so is it worth it?

[Gowf]

Its a professional bit of tuning equipment. They are very good, but once your car is set up, you wont need them. A knock link will do the job from there on.

[Jesus-Ninja]

Its a professional bit of tuning equipment. They are very good, but once your car is set up, you wont need them. A knock link will do the job from there on.

And that indeed could be the deciding factor. I'm forever fannying around with things and not really a "set it and forget it" kind of guy. Things don't stay the same for long in my world :D I already have a sensor, but comparing this with a knocklink inc sensor (£178.25 delivered from Thor) at £216.98 delivered from Aztec, it seems like a no brainer.

[Turbo_Steve]

If that's the case you'd be better to have an ECU with some proper knock control: it'll react far quicker to knock than you ever would.

Every single knock event ages your engine. The more knock / the bigger the knock, the faster it ages, and the more likely something is to fold.

[Jesus-Ninja]

If that's the case you'd be better to have an ECU with some proper knock control: it'll react far quicker to knock than you ever would.

Every single knock event ages your engine. The more knock / the bigger the knock, the faster it ages, and the more likely something is to fold.

Well, I think there's a case of balance here, Steve. Custom ECU is definitely on the cards, but not just yet. I'm not talking about setting the thing up every week, but then I'm not expecting to get it on the rollers once and then never again for a couple of years. Somewhere in between. I'm wary of throwing too much at a car I haven't really explored, and yet by the same token want to push the envelope a little on it, into territory that is of interest to explore, if you get my meaning :)

For everything there's a "well, if you're going to do that, then you may as well do this...." I heed your point about monitoring knock, although it's not something I've monitored in car before, and for this the KS-3 would does everything the KnockLink does and more, whilst costing a fraction extra.

As I say, I'm not looking to change the boost or fueling every time I go for a drive, but the ability to alter things and have some kind of warning if the stock ECU cannot retard the ignition enough to cope. This especially as the car is to be both a drivable car for the day and a weekend track toy on occasion. :)

I'm not at the point where I can justify the expense of an efter market ECU, and am not really a fan of piggy back items as these just fudge the signals for the stock ECU, so it would be a case of getting the right replacement ECU for the job, and I don't know what "the job" is yet. Uprated turbos and leave it at that? Mental power with forged internals? Or drop a V8 in (ok, I'm being silly now, but you get my point....) :D Actually, V8 RWD leggy.......?? :p

If the KS-3 is going to provide the benefits of the KnockLink, then it seems to be the better tool to buy for the money. I don't think the KnockLink has an adjustable threshold with visual and audible alarm (although I may be wrong), and I like the idea of this. As you remember from my million gauges thread :) this would definitely be one of those "get it out now and again to look at things, but hide it away most of the time" devices.

[Jesus-Ninja]

Ooh, last night I remembered something. A guy I know from the SXOC and also worked with at DEFRA had Phormula splashed all over his S14, and IIRC he either works for, owns or distribtes for Phormula.

[Jesus-Ninja]

Gone for a good deal on a KS-4 in the end - gives me a remote trigger for a warning lamp and a 0-5v output for logging or for sending to an ECU. Spot on!

[Eurospec]

I have a KS4 attached to the dyno. As Gareth says the phormula stuff really are professional tuning products.

The KS4 is great and you can feed out a signal to most after market ecus. The guy who owns the company does have an S14. :-)

Cheers,

Ben.

[Jesus-Ninja]

I have a KS4 attached to the dyno. As Gareth says the phormula stuff really are professional tuning products.

The KS4 is great and you can feed out a signal to most after market ecus. The guy who owns the company does have an S14. :-)

Cheers,

Ben.

Yup, Anthony turns out to be the owner. Funny, we talked cars round the coffee machine many a time, but never discussed the phormula stuff. I guess it either modesty or he assumed I knew!

EDIT: we did discuss the difference between the KS-3 and the KnockLink, and he was pretty clear that the KS-3 is not really intended to be a specialist tuner only device, but rather fill the same role as the KnockLink, but provide the user with the ability to tailor it to their specific car, and that set up / use was pretty simple. The KS-4 adding the external logging facility and the external warning trigger.

The piece they recommend for tuning is the pro, coupled with a KS4, in the orange case, which lets you use det cans etc.

Whilst I think about it Ben, I am still coming to see you :)

[Eurospec]

No Probs dude. Thats what i have, a KS4 and a pro. (Well 2 actually, and knock box, and knock link........)

Cheers,

Ben.