it DOES operate at part throttle tip in, where 90% of DSMs start to knock. Quick throttle opening at 3000rpm, even only 25-40% will induce knock. The EGR, by adding inert gasses into the intake charge greatly enhances the octane value of the charge, and almost always kills tip in knock dead.
I tried it both ways, back to back, 3 different times, with different outside temps, but always following the scientific method were possible and 100% of the time it had considerably more tip in knock when the EGR was not operating. Period.
Others have had the same result.
Water injection takes care of it too, but without it, the EGR does its job admirably.
And once the knocksum starts, it only decays slowly. With stock code in the ECU, it not only doesn't give you full timing again once it stops knocking, it decays the knock count slowly. Like until you lift there will be a knock count weather there is knock or not and your timing takes a dump. It makes your car lazy feeling, slow and boring.
Oh and not "OEM style" OEM. From the dealer, or someone like JNZ who carries factory parts.
