Phantom knock issue

[blackrosenova400]

I recently bought a 92 Talon Automatic that had snapped a timing belt. Rebuilt and installed a new head amongst many other things. Engine runs great except heavy heavy knock is bieng picked up.

Engine picks up the knock only after 18-20% throttle (Whch is when I believe the ecu decides to start caring).

It immediatly jumps to 35-43 counts after 20%.

Brand new knock sensor

Verified timing is at 5* BTDC

Verified no boost/vaccum leaks

If anyone has dealt with this issue with any luck Id apprecaite your input.
As of now im going to look for exhaust rattling somewhere as this is obviously phantom knock.

[turbotalon1g]

Only thing I can take a guess at would be how tight the knock sensor is, I've heard overtightening them can make them read super sensitive

[munchgsx]

What are you tuning with? Have a wide band? How aggressive is your timing? Any logs?

[Goat Blower]

Can you hear audible lifter tick?

[Murlo26]

From what I have been looking into, over-torquing the sensor can cause a lot of problems and apparently you need to position it correctly as well.

So i guess check the positioning and torque first if you haven't already.

[blackrosenova400]

Everything is completely stock exept a k&N filter and the turbo is a 14b instead of 13g. Its occuring under such light load I dont think either of these is the problem.

I installed 3g lifters, I do not hear any lifter ticking.

As for how tight the sensor is and its location, Ill verify I have it in the correct spot. I do not have my torque wrench or crow foot here, but I have tried testing with it at differant torque values and the problem still occurs.

[turbotalon1g]

I usually just go a bit over hand tight with a wrench.

[blackrosenova400]

Verified location, good, lightly snugged the sensor, no differance. Found a small exhaust leak at the flex pipe, think this would cause it?

[blackrosenova400]

Things Ive tried

Moved spark plug wires away from each other to verify there is no spark jumping, no differance.

Temp fix exhaust leak at downpipe, no differance.

Removed damper pulley and ran to find no differance.

Seems to occur only when slightly warm and warmer (dont know if its just the ecu ignoring it earlier) and when you blip the throttle past 18%, even in nuetral with no load. If you hold it steady past that it does not register any knock.

[blackrosenova400]

Problems appears to be affected by load more than engine speed. Blipping the throttle to 20% the knock counts will hit a random number between 10-23 then back down as I hold it at 20% throttle. If I put the transmission into gear and hold the throttle at 20% and put a load on the engine, the knock counts will peg at 43 and stay there.