Torque convertor and detonation

Bewy said
Engine load, car weight are factors; doesn't ping in neutral correct?
I doubt a smaller c'ter would help & it will use more fuel because of the slippage.
[1] Get the engine running as cool as possible; heat is the enemy as far as detonation is concerned.
[2] Block or partially exh xovers in the intake.
[3] Rig up cold air induction
[4] Slow down the dist curve
[5] Retard the cam 4-6*.

Crossovers blocked, car has a hood scoop, I plan to eventually make a sheetmetal airbox for cold air induction (more as a fun project, because it would look badass then for any performance gains)
Why would I retard the cam 4-6* to take care of detonation that only occurs in one small part of the rev range under heavy load?

AJ/FormS said
Why does everybody seem to want to run race-timing in a streeter.......
You don't have a race car, no race convertor, no race gears, no race cam. Why race timing? Especially with an automatic and 3.23s?
I agree with what most guys are saying and here is my 2cents;
For 87gas, your low-stalled, hiway-geared, low-compression engine usually needs a two-stage curve, ramp it up from 12* at idle to ~20/24@ stall, then stretch it out to all-in around 34*@ no sooner than 3600; then fine tune it over time.
If she is too sluggish off the line for you, then get more stall.
If you give her fresh cool air, then you might be able to run a wee bit more Power-Timing.
If you run a lot of hiway, then stall it at around cruise rpm; say 2600/2800; which will allow you quicken the timing curve some..
That engine is only making maybe 130psi, so should be able to run 87 all the time: Check your sparkplug heatrange. Keep her cool.

AJ, I guess I had the wrong idea here, I though that a low-compression motor would take lots more timing then a high-comp, race motor, not vice versa? And that more initial, like 16-18* would be better... it sure feels and runs better, what gives?
Spark plug heat range is on the hotter side, autolite 985, they are clean with no sign of detonation or overheating, again the problem is only with pedal to the floor between 2000-2300 so I doubt it would show on plugs without a chop.