It's called pinging but what the car is really doing is missing. Change your plug wires and I'll bet you'll be fine. They are more important than the new plugs in these cars. I've been through 3 sets.

-'96 SE MTX 3L -'98 SVT 1,173 of 6,535 -'05 Mazda 6s, loaded, g/f's ride -Need a 96-00 manual on CD? PM or email me