Went out for a drive today out to the boonies <car is really dirty now btw. hope nobody writes wash me in it> and when i got there, i noticed that under acceleration, it sounds like the motor is pinging pretty bad. I was under the impression that these motors had knock sensors, but at any rate, when I got back, I cringed every time I got on the gas, it was pinging so bad. I am running 88 octane in it right now, but will prolly fill it up with shell v-power next time <and get it washed too>.

So i ask this:

Should this motor have knock sensors <N/A motor for the record>
What would cause such a commotion? I suspect the cat converter is in rough shape, but what else? I have already seafoamed the crap out of it about 2 weeks ago.

It'* an ultra, right? If so, you need to run 91+ in it to avoid the knock you're describing. Willwren just killed one of his engines last year by running lower octane in his car...
(wasn't his fault, but still...)

If you DON'T have an ultra, don't bother putting in anything but 87 (in your case 88 I guess), or else you're wasting your money...

no, its just a regular, and i know all about the regular vs premium in n/a 3.8 applications. i just heard that these seem to take well to the shell v-power.

Have you checked for a vacuum leak?

havent checked for that, just trying to create a to do list of stuff the car needs. i will put checking for vacuum leaks on that list also. dry rot is new mexico'* rust

what kind of a knock is it? can you post a vid?

and yes it has a knock sensor.

dont have anything to make vid with, but you know how a car with a manual sounds if you open up the throttle, and the revs are too low, it starts knocking, that is what it sounds like, sounds like premature detonation in the cylinders

can you find a buddy that has a cell phone or something to take a vid?

have you checked your oil for metal flakes?

my cell phone can take vids, and the oil seemed fine. I understand your concerns, but let'* assume that it is in fact premature detonation for this remainder of the discussion

Have you checked the spark plugs?