I don't have computer mods (yet) but I've never had pinging even while towing almost 14,000 pounds on 87 octane. Hypertech is for 87 or 93 only. We can only get 91 in California. Like you suggested, switch the Hypertech to 87 and run 91 to see what happens. I had terrible pinging problems with my old '88 460 one time...suddenly started pinging while towing out in the middle of the desert. Filled with 92 but it did not change. Limped it home with a very light foot on the throttle. Turns out that the EGR valve was stuck open.

 

Is there anywhere to get an aftermarket cover ? I guess this is what is rattling on my truck that sounds like a jack hammer on aluminum. It is very annoying sometimes at a drive up window.

 

I don't know of any where to get a repoduction of that cover.
I am sure you could come up with somthing if you take the cover off and see what the problem is.

 

OK, a properly trained dealer technician, with the NGS, and the service card, and the flash cable can turn on the retard function of the PCM. These leave the factory with off as a default, and if someone is experiencing spark knock, this retard feature is switched on. If you aren't running mods, have the dealer fix this, takes about 15 minutes.

 

I ditched the hypertech and ditched the pinging. Lucky for me I sold the tuner on ebay for more than I bought it for. Gonna try a super chips next.

 

I know this is a very old thread, but I recently bought a 2005 E-450 with a 6.8 liter and found it had the severe pinging. None of the solutions here, or elsewhere on the web, worked for me. Premium fuel-No. Knock sensor - No. Clean the MAF- No. EGR plugged - No (my truck doesn't have one). Anyway, my rig seemed a bit low on power, and had delayed upshifts, so I decided to chase that. It ended up, my catalytic converter was partially plugged. Disconnected it took it for a test drive, and it ran like a whole new truck (and got lots of attention. The V-10 kinda sounds like a Ferrari with the exhaust uncorked). Replaced the cat, and haven't heard a ping since. Hopefully this helps someone else out there, because I didn't come across this as a possible cause anywhere on the web.

 

i had the same experience as you. Except I didn’t replace my cat. Stink-pipe now. I had straight pipes welded in. The pinging was reduced about 85% immediately and then after a few hundred miles it was gone completely.

 

I've heard of this before too. My previous v10 had bad pinging as well. Usually worse in hot weather and under heavier loads. (uphill in 120F az heat,wow!)
The clogged cat might be due to bad O2 sensors. I'd replace them as well to prevent it from happening again.