Next time you take off around sea level on an ISA day with a big bore piston engine, lean the mixture so that you’re getting the maximum possible power out of the engine.
My first post in this thread was in support of following the flight manual, so let's keep it to settings approved by the POH.
What about 24" MP, 2400 RPM - about 70% power on an IO-360 - at peak EGT as approved by the Lycoming manual. Thrashing or punishing?
There are settings in the manual that I would consider punishing, e.g. 2000 RPM at 26" MP (about 60%). If you are looking for detonation, you won't necessarily find it at maximum RPM and full power. You are more likely to find it at these lower RPM and power settings along the "Limiting manifold pressure for continuous operation" line.