FREE TOOL · KNOCK SAFETY
Knock margin estimator
Estimate the gap between your current tune and the knock threshold from boost, intake-air temp, ignition timing and fuel octane. Petrol turbo tuners use this to verify Stage 2/3 calibrations stay outside detonation territory.
What knock margin actually is
Knock margin = ignition timing headroom before detonation starts. A safe tune sits 3-5° below the knock threshold. Less than 2° is borderline; less than 0° = guaranteed knock.
| Margin | State |
|---|---|
| > 5° | Conservative — leaving power on table |
| 3-5° | Safe Stage 1-2 tune |
| 1-3° | Aggressive Stage 2-3 tune |
| < 1° | Knock counter will trip |
| < 0° | Continuous knock — engine damage |