Re:the sounds of pinging?
 

that sounds like what I have, thanks for the sound clip.

I'm going to back the timing off today and see if it goes away, if not I'll just keep driving, if I do use the block it will be for a complete build.

Re:the sounds of pinging?
 

I wonder if maybe there is no coolant flowing through your engine? Your EGT may be showing inaccurate readings, as it doesn't read whats going on inside the engine. Hrm. I don't know thats very weird to hear of a factory engine detonating...

Are you using a chipped ECU?

Re:the sounds of pinging?
 

Giving the dizzy a full retard should definitely help, you will lose some gas mileage and horsepower but for general reliability its probably worth it? :)

Re:the sounds of pinging?
 

it's running off of a zdyne modified pm6, so it's not a factory ecu. there is coolant going through, because if there wasn't my water temp gauge wouldn't give me a reading. rather than risk gas mileage and horsepower I'm just going to open up that valve and see what happens.

Re:the sounds of pinging?
 

This is an overlooked option but,
how many miles are on your engine?
if it's in the 150k+ range chances are you've got some good sized carbon deposits in the combustion chambers.
If you've never flushed out your engine give that a shot(costs like 20 bucks). I'll bet that's what's happening.
the carbon starts to glow red hot after while you're boosting, and wham, detonation.

you can buy a flush kit, but I don't know if that deals with carbon deposits.

If you want squeaky clean clyinders/valve faces then buy this:
a few quarts of ATF
some new oil

drain your oil
take out your sparkplugs anf fill each combustion chamber to the top with ATF
let it sit over night
come back the next day and suck all of the ATF out iwth a syphon or those pretty lips of yours.
then refill the engine with oil(get something cheap, you're gonna drain it)
PULL the car out of the garage
crank it up, don't mind the smoke it'll go away after a little bit.
don't boost or drive the car at all just let it warm up at idle for a good 20 mins.
then take a QUICK trip round the block, don't mind the smoke. boost it a LITTLE if you want, this is just to get the carbon warmed up to will it will break up and leave out the exhaust.

bring it back home and drain oil, add new oil(the good stuff this time) and drive around until the smoking stops.

Re:the sounds of pinging?
 

everyone keeps forgetting: I'm not boosted.

This is supposed to be one of those low mileage jdm engines with 2 miles on them or something, but the previous american owner nawwsed this ---- up. my teacher for my automotive classes said to just run atf through the engine and let it smoke like ----, I'll try your method though since I'm due for an oil change.