Getting a lot of pinging under acceleration as well as intermitently on level ground/slight rises. Hate to think what it would do going uphill.
I cleaned the throttle body a few days ago and it seems to be a little worse now so I'll go back and redo it. I'm thinking of getting a timing light and retarding the timing 1-2*.

I've heard its bad to switch octanes as it leads to carbon buildup so i don't want to go that route.

Any other tips/tricks or parts I should check out?

 

Changing octane is the fastest way to get rid of pinging. You get more carbon buildup by idling than by changing octane. Anyway, I'd be more worried about what the pinging will do to your engine than with what carbon build-up you'll get.

You can try:

-upping the octane
-replacing spark plugs
-octane booster / fuel injection cleaner