I think I figured out what is causing me heartache.

In all the searching I've done in regards to the ECM control of the TCC, I've not found a whole lot.

What I found, I think that some of my issues with the spikes in lean, is from the TCC lockup under normal acceleration. This even occurred when the acceleration was gradual.

In any case, I got thinking about it and I found a completely different response, a much better response, and half the knock counts when I started using parameters from a BIN for a rear gear ratio of 3.73.