So yesterday I pull up to a red light and look over to my left and theres a Mustang 5.0 (probably like a 95) Light turns green and we both launched....I took him till about 70 or 80 mph then my car started making this pinging noise, and he started pulling away...Its really been bothering me!! I run 93 premium all the time..what else could it be?

 

Pinging=Detonation=Ignition or Fuel Problems

Common Problems:

Opti
Wires/Plugs
Fuel Pump
Fuel Press. Regulator

Need more info to get any clearer than that. I am assuming that the "pinging" you heard actually was detonation and caused a loss of power- My car squeaks right now and sometimes it almost sounds like pinging...

 

Now that you mention fuel, Last night I was driving and smelled a strong fuel smell from inside the car. Hummm, ??? Where do I start?

 

Oh, BTY Opti, plugs and wires are newer, less than 2 years old, probably like 15,000 miles on them.

 

The unfortunate thing is you shouldn't be able to hear "ping" (more likely "knock"/detonation).... the knock retard system should pull enough timing to eliminate the knock. The fact that you lost power at the same time you heard the noise might indicate the PCM had pulled as much timing as it could, up to the max limit (12-15 degrees) and that still wasn't enough retard to control the knock. If that's what happened, it would indicate a fairly serious problem.

Things to look for would be low fuel pressure causing it to run extremely lean, a bad tank of fuel.... it can happen, excessively high coolant temp or inlet air temp.

 

Humm, well I guess to check my fuel pressure Ill have to hook up a gauge. I have an autometer fuel pressure gauge just sitting in my room here collecting dust..lol Should I put and adjustable fuel pressure regulator on while im doing this? And does anyone have directions on how to hook this gauge up to a camaro, any help would be appreciated.

 

Schrader valve is behind the fuel rails under the cowl, along with the regulator. You'll probably have to feel for it.

 

Before people start throwing instructions and suggestions around, you might want to tell us the year of your car..... all LT1's are not the same.

 

Well Im sorry. I didnt know that. Mines a 1996. But I guess if I knew everything about LT1's I wouldnt be asking questions on this post now, would I?