As far as i see it pinging is when your on load and the engines fuel mix ignites prematurely and/or unequally. It is Extreemly bad for any engine. Doesn't matter how tuff the engine is if it pings/detonates or what ever you call it it will die an early death.
Some of the things that can cause this condition are
1. too much spark advance (timing)
2. too low fuel octane
3. not enough fuel (leaning out)
4. too much boost (causing the above)
5. too high an intake temp
6. poor tune
7. oil or poor air in the combustion chamber
the list goes on...
It sounds like a rattle in the engine. I found on my supercharged setup it was related to boost pressure and cylinder no. 8 leaning out.
Most of these are related to each other. Pinging is one of the most common causes of head gasket death.
This may not be exactly accurate but it's my guide to problem solving two closely related major problems.
The most important thing is if you hear anything that you think might be Ping or detonation. Take your foot off the accellerator and get it checked pronto or you may find your self asking us where to get your engine rebuilt or where to get a new engine.
I turned the piston in cyl 8 sideways and punched it through the cylinder wall on my utes first engine setup. I put it down to stupidity, nothing but stupidity!
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