Where is this Knock Retard coming from?

[TheWildWolverine]

Hey guys, I'm working on a 5.3 with a stage 2 tsp cam. I keep getting knock retard popping up at various times during logging. I've attached a couple scans that show some KR. I'm not sure what may be causing this or if its a normal amount. The timing table is almost completely stock aside from some bumps around the idle and just off idle area. Anything I'm missing? I sometimes see as high as 7* of KR

Fourth VE Run with VSS, 11-29-20.hpl
Log with VE and MAF (and Knock Retard).hpl
K35 Installed Tune.hpt

[Pekka_Perkeles]

You may have a noisy valvetrain.

[hivoltagedriver]

Check all the basics. Make sure you are using good fuel, maybe one step colder plugs (TR6), and check fuel pressure. Does it have headers on it? Cats?

[TheWildWolverine]

It does have shorty headers on it, no cats though. We checked around the engine bay, too, and found an area where the block may be making contact with the crossmember at times. Hope to have that sorted out today. Fuel pressure has checked out good.

If it is just from a noisy valvetrain, how would I go about that situation and still maintain functional knock sensors to tune timing?

I'll see if he can swap to TR6 plugs as well, I'm not sure exactly what is in there now