Ok, I have the howell bottom end kit with 10.5:1 compression and the head has been surfaced. When I do a comp test I get 215, 215, 218, 215. Here is my problem, at low rpms I get some kind of knock until about 3400rpms only when it is in gear and sometimes a puff of black smoke from a dead stop. I called Howell and they said they have no problems running 10.5:1 comp on stock fuel and igntion systems. I have a msd dis-2 in my room but it only retards at 4000rpms and up. Any advice or help would be awesome.

Take a look at the plugs. You may want to replace them, at least to rule them out as the culprit.


95 Eclipse RS : 5 speed
Gude cams : test pipe : AFX UDP : ram air : Thrush glasspack : Dual air horns : Kenwood KDC 5000 : AutoCommand remote start
incomming - lower strut bars, ES inserts, F/R tower bars

Well I just had irdium plugs on it and the irdium melted or broke off in about 2 or 3 months. So I just put some NGKs heat #6, and they helped but still have the problem. Thanks for any help

Hmm interesting about your plugs...the iridiums should not have done that. Try some NGK #7s and tell us what happens.

Test the coils.

What octane gas are you running? I'd probably give Sunoco 94 a shot and see if that clears up the problem.

You also may want to replace the wires. Have you done this lately?


95 Eclipse RS : 5 speed
Gude cams : test pipe : AFX UDP : ram air : Thrush glasspack
BOMZ F/R upper strut bars
Dual air horns : Kenwood KDC 5000 : AutoCommand remote start
incomming - lower strut bars, ES inserts, Rampage sub

yeah I think with the higher comp you want to go at least midgrade gas but you may want to try the premium.

As soon as I can get some heat range 7 plugs I will put them in. I used to get a cel on bad coil packs but I replaced my knock sensor and that stopped coming up, but could it still be my coil? If so is there a good performance one, I have heard of msd's but are there any others? Also I use amaco 92 plus octane boster, thats the highest octane I can get here in KC. Again thanks for the info

You may also want to check your wires. As for the install of that bottom end kit, how hard was it? I'm considering attempting it over the winter.

Well I have triple magnetic ractive wires and the knocking was happening before I put those on. I also put the colder plugs in and it seems to make the knocking a little lower in the rpm range. When it knocks really bad it puffs out dark gray smoke that smells like unbrunt fuel. Any other ideas, this sucks. I hate it cause I can't figure it out, oh well thanks for the help guyes

Oh and Joshua97478 for the rebuild, its not bad really. Just be prepared to spend more money than what you expect, have some extra. Cause something always comes up. Also make sure when you take the motor out have the radiator out and the AC and the PS off so you can turn the timing belt side of the motor towards the front. It makes it much easier to pull out and put in. Hope that helps