A Knock Who? Thats right! Knock Sensors are probably pretty new to the EVO community here in the USA. Link Electro of New Zealand has developed this important tool called the Knock Link. The knock link, as you see in the picture, is a basic black box with a multiple of LED’s on it. The box uses a power and ground wire and then has a sensor that runs into the engine bay and mounts on the engine block to measure vibration. This has proved in the Subaru industry to be one of the most vital tools on the market for tuning, racing, and simply getting more power safely. The sensor measures knock which in turn is vibration. Knock is bad, very bad. The lights on the box go from green to bright green to RED! The green is ok to have some vibration, but when the bright green and red go off it is time to get off the gas. Continuous knock will blow your motor up and you will be out some duckets! Having this device will enable you to adjust your fuel, turn your boost up, run you car, and you will know when it is time to let off. An air fuel gauge is recommend as well, but for the $200 price tag of the Knock Link, it will save you for days to come.
The Knock Link install is very easy. Run the sensor cord through the firewall at whatever point you want to. Attach the wires to the plug with hardware provided, then clip onto the sensor. The sensor needs to be bolted to the engine block, manifold, or any other vibration area on the engine. Take any existing bolt out and replace it with a longer one to bolt the sensor too.
Once the sensor is attached mount the Knock Link box where you desire and connect the power and ground cables. The lower green light will be on to signify power. Light tap the sensor with a screw driver or pen to see if it measures the vibration. The lights on the box should go up as the vibration increases. Now that it is all setup go drive your car around. FLOOR IT! If the lights do not go up, this is a good thing. If you adjust boost higher or tune the fuel and the lights go to the midway this is OK, if you pass midway and the lights flash bright let off the gas. You are now safe courtesy of Vivid Racing!
