VG30 Relocate Knock Sensor?? HELP!

[dkyuss]

So, I had symptoms of a bad knock sensor, ECU codes confirmed it, on my 91 Maxima SE. Crawling around under the car, I was able to find the KS, get an oversized (1" I think) socket on it as the 24mm did not fit past the motor mount. Then connected to the socket with a UV joint on a ~30º angle to an extension on an impact wrench. I sat on that impact wrench for several minutes, trying to remove the knock sensor.

Yes it was in reverse.... UV joint and socket were too hot to touch when I stopped....... Did I mention 290,000 kms and I wouldn't be surprised if it is the original sensor.

So....... this brings me to my problem. As this car has many miles, I dont really want to just bypass it with a resistor and trust that high octane will always provide proper ignition (as I have seen recommended).

Could I simply relocate the sensor? Where to? This KS threads directly into the engine so I would need to drill and tap a new hole...into, but not through the engine casing.... I cannot imagine this being an easy task!

As I picture in my mind, the easiest solution would to purchase a different style knock sensor, one that is dough nut shaped and mounted through the use of a shouldered bolt. Then simply find a bolt, to replace with a longer one to accommodate the attached knock sensor and rewire it.

Does this sound plausible???? Where could I mount it to???? What locations should I look at or avoid?

Also, are all knock sensors created equally? Or some more sensitive? What should I look for as an alternative?

Any help thoughts or suggestions are greatly appreciated as I am in a bind here. Thanks in advance.

[mtcookson]

That I can remember, I think I was just able to use a wrench to get mine off but if nothing else you could likely put it somewhere else on the block if you extend the wires. As far as using a different sensor, I'm not sure which ones would swap with knowing the output of the sensors. To be on the safe side I would just use a stock type sensor.