Ask Away! with Jeff Smith: Understanding Detonation

Our friend L.M. from northern California has a 1969 Camaro with a 454 and a four-speed. Lucky dog.

However, he is concerned about the 10:1 compression, iron-headed 454 detonating on the crappy 91 octane swill that passes for gasoline in his area. Fortunately, Jeff Smith knows all about the devil detonation--and more importantly, the causes of it and the ways to avoid it. What he has to say might just open some eyes, and should help L.M. on his quest to keep his big block in one piece. You can read Jeff's detonation expose here.

If you somehow haven't seen Jeff's previous Ask Away! columns, not to worry--here's a link to all of the hot rod wisdom Mr. Smith has dispensed so far.