Some of those questions your asking are beyond my scope of information, Cal hartine would know. All i do know is only a few experimental sefi boxes were made with knock retard and the batch boxes had knock retard standard. As for the knock showing up and showing the reduced timing I do not recall if that worked like that. I know you want to use this to prevent engine damage but the whole system is in my opinion not going to save you in time from hurting it, it is just electronically too slow. I am having good results with my js knock box, but its over $600 and you have to decide if you want to spend that kind of coin to save your motor in the long run. It can detect knock that you would never see or even hear, and react before the piston fires again. Sorry to knock your hopes down.