Just finished the conversion of the 69 to Sniper EFI system. Went with in tank pump, swapped for new Holley EFI Tank. I have to say the kit was very simple. Just waiting for some nice weather now to take out and finish the self-learn process.
Trying add photo's but they keep showing up upside down. Will add shortly. Can someone tell me why they are upside down?
-- Edited by 69SSConv on Saturday 14th of April 2018 11:15:41 AM
-- Edited by 69SSConv on Saturday 14th of April 2018 11:39:42 AM
-- Edited by 69SSConv on Saturday 14th of April 2018 11:40:02 AM
-- Edited by 69SSConv on Saturday 14th of April 2018 11:41:52 AM
I’m not sure why it’s upside down but it sure looks sweet. With all the systems out there what made you deside on that one?
Lost in the 60s said
Apr 14, 2018
Cell phone pics almost always end up upside down. There is a certain way to hold it to avoid that, but I have no clue what it is, as I don't have a smart phone. The system does look sweet.
I would cut a piece of rubber hose and zip tie it over the sending unit harness where it touches the trans, as extra abrasion resistance.
-- Edited by Lost in the 60s on Saturday 14th of April 2018 01:38:54 PM
69SSConv said
Apr 14, 2018
Good idea Mitch. Certainly won't be driving it for a few days. Dashboard, thought about the FiTech as well, but like the look of the powder coated black, and decided to go the Holley route. Wiring harness extremely simple and well put together.
67ss said
Apr 14, 2018
I have read lots of bad reviews on fitechs customer service if you have problems. Personal opinion but I think the Holley software is better then fitech. I have not used either system this is just from forum readings. All kinds of info on team Chevelle. I am switch my camaro over to a Holley hp setup next winter.
69SSConv said
Apr 14, 2018
That was the other reason I went with the Holley, I read a lot of reviews and the FiTech did not score as well on the support side.
dashboard said
Apr 14, 2018
I knew you’d do your homework Loren.
Now if you could just get some decent weather for a test drive. Please report back and let us know how you like it.
Chris R said
Apr 15, 2018
I believe MSD (owned by Holley) also sells a distributor that designed for the Sniper system & just plugs right in. Allowing you to also control the timing through the command screen.
69SSConv said
Apr 15, 2018
Yes they do. That was another consideration, for the Sniper purchase. Will not add that until I complete the new power plant swap this coming fall/winter.
69SSConv said
Apr 15, 2018
Once we get some nice weather, I will provide update on how it performs/drives, etc.
SShink said
Apr 15, 2018
69SSConv wrote:
Once we get some nice weather, I will provide update on how it performs/drives, etc.
Have you looked out your window this morning Loren?!?!? I told Jon H. it would be melted by next weekend, and now I'm thinking we'll be lucky if it's gone by May 1st! At least this is all going on while my Malibu is in CAC, and it's not 68 degrees and sunny while the car is in pieces.
Back to the topic...I'm on a FiTech facebook page for users, and the biggest issue I came away with is the fuel center fuel pump motor is junk due to overheating and shutting off, and has stranded almost everyone that has it. I know of a guy in KC with a BBC Elky that installed it and removed it two months later after it stranded him 3 times in as much time, and put his old carb back on. From my reading, if you go with an in-tank pump or the Edelbrock fuel center the FiTech works good. Just my .
69SSConv said
May 11, 2018
Update. I had it out last weekend a couple of times. Ran nice at idle up to about 2500 RPM, and then would backfire out the exhaust and occasionally through the TBI unit. On my 2nd test run, longer one, I was about 15 miles from home and it backfired through TBI and died. As I was stalled on the side of the road, who would guess up by Zimmerman, fellow club member Mr. Delke stops. Turned out to be a minor vacuum leak at the base TBI gasket that went major, after backfire, that resulted in the stall. Then as luck would have it the starter decided to give out on me. So after installing the new starter, and firing up last night, I could hear the major vacuum leak, installed new base gasket and back in business. Will do some more tuning runs this weekend, low end throttle response is great so far.
Base gasket with kit was very thin, installed thicker one and seems to be the trick.
-- Edited by 69SSConv on Friday 11th of May 2018 08:45:31 AM
Enganeer said
May 11, 2018
Are you running the distributor off the computer for control? I swapped my HEI standalone to a small body one that that can be controlled by the computer for timing. So much better control of the whole system and for the self learning.
SShink said
May 11, 2018
One thing I've read about these EFI systems is they are MUCH more finicky if anything is out of whack; timing, vacuum leaks, EGT's, AF ratio, etc. Carb's do seem to be a little forgiving up to a limit. Glad you figured it out. Nothing worse than being 'that guy' stranded on the side of the road taking the tow truck ride of shame home.
69SSConv said
May 11, 2018
I do not have a distributor that is computer controlled yet. I am planning to add.
69SSConv said
May 11, 2018
Stan,
I didn’t even mention the tow truck ride of shame. Yep it did happen. 😣
John D said
May 11, 2018
That might have been my slip-of-the-tongue.... Later that evening I was talking to Stan and mentioned that we "ran into" each other on the side of the road.
69SSConv said
May 11, 2018
No worries John &%# happens
Chris R said
May 11, 2018
Ive been reading a few reports of guys installing the Sniper kit & discovering the injector is sticking badly. Just a heads up. 2 guys even had substantial fire damage, one of which ended up being totaled by insurance but the damage, while substantial, looked fixable. Another guy reported his engine hydro locked due to the injector filling up a cylinder. Just a heads up.
69SSConv said
May 12, 2018
Chris, I have noticed those as well. Did a test run with it this morning and it is running very well now. Great low end throttle response. Still will have to do a number of drives for it to continue fine tuning, and will continue to get better I am sure. Last night it didn’t run as well, but got the IAC adjusted correctly this morning and that made the difference 👍
69SSConv said
May 14, 2018
John (Enganeer) what coil are you running with your small cap distributor?
Enganeer said
May 14, 2018
When I pulled the small body distributor the U-pull yard, I grabbed the external stock coil also and mounted to the firewall. Nothing fancy about it but seems to work fine.
Just finished the conversion of the 69 to Sniper EFI system. Went with in tank pump, swapped for new Holley EFI Tank. I have to say the kit was very simple. Just waiting for some nice weather now to take out and finish the self-learn process.
Trying add photo's but they keep showing up upside down. Will add shortly. Can someone tell me why they are upside down?
-- Edited by 69SSConv on Saturday 14th of April 2018 11:15:41 AM
-- Edited by 69SSConv on Saturday 14th of April 2018 11:39:42 AM
-- Edited by 69SSConv on Saturday 14th of April 2018 11:40:02 AM
-- Edited by 69SSConv on Saturday 14th of April 2018 11:41:52 AM
Cell phone pics almost always end up upside down. There is a certain way to hold it to avoid that, but I have no clue what it is, as I don't have a smart phone.
The system does look sweet.
I would cut a piece of rubber hose and zip tie it over the sending unit harness where it touches the trans, as extra abrasion resistance.
-- Edited by Lost in the 60s on Saturday 14th of April 2018 01:38:54 PM
Good idea Mitch. Certainly won't be driving it for a few days. Dashboard, thought about the FiTech as well, but like the look of the powder coated black, and decided to go the Holley route. Wiring harness extremely simple and well put together.
I have read lots of bad reviews on fitechs customer service if you have problems. Personal opinion but I think the Holley software is better then fitech. I have not used either system this is just from forum readings. All kinds of info on team Chevelle. I am switch my camaro over to a Holley hp setup next winter.
That was the other reason I went with the Holley, I read a lot of reviews and the FiTech did not score as well on the support side.
Now if you could just get some decent weather for a test drive. Please report back and let us know how you like it.
I believe MSD (owned by Holley) also sells a distributor that designed for the Sniper system & just plugs right in. Allowing you to also control the timing through the command screen.
Yes they do. That was another consideration, for the Sniper purchase. Will not add that until I complete the new power plant swap this coming fall/winter.
Once we get some nice weather, I will provide update on how it performs/drives, etc.
Have you looked out your window this morning Loren?!?!?
I told Jon H. it would be melted by next weekend, and now I'm thinking we'll be lucky if it's gone by May 1st! At least this is all going on while my Malibu is in CAC, and it's not 68 degrees and sunny while the car is in pieces.
Back to the topic...I'm on a FiTech facebook page for users, and the biggest issue I came away with is the fuel center fuel pump motor is junk due to overheating and shutting off, and has stranded almost everyone that has it. I know of a guy in KC with a BBC Elky that installed it and removed it two months later after it stranded him 3 times in as much time, and put his old carb back on. From my reading, if you go with an in-tank pump or the Edelbrock fuel center the FiTech works good. Just my
.
Update. I had it out last weekend a couple of times. Ran nice at idle up to about 2500 RPM, and then would backfire out the exhaust and occasionally through the TBI unit. On my 2nd test run, longer one, I was about 15 miles from home and it backfired through TBI and died. As I was stalled on the side of the road, who would guess up by Zimmerman, fellow club member Mr. Delke stops. Turned out to be a minor vacuum leak at the base TBI gasket that went major, after backfire, that resulted in the stall. Then as luck would have it the starter decided to give out on me. So after installing the new starter, and firing up last night, I could hear the major vacuum leak, installed new base gasket and back in business. Will do some more tuning runs this weekend, low end throttle response is great so far.
Base gasket with kit was very thin, installed thicker one and seems to be the trick.
-- Edited by 69SSConv on Friday 11th of May 2018 08:45:31 AM
One thing I've read about these EFI systems is they are MUCH more finicky if anything is out of whack; timing, vacuum leaks, EGT's, AF ratio, etc. Carb's do seem to be a little forgiving up to a limit. Glad you figured it out. Nothing worse than being 'that guy' stranded on the side of the road taking the tow truck ride of shame home.
Ive been reading a few reports of guys installing the Sniper kit & discovering the injector is sticking badly. Just a heads up. 2 guys even had substantial fire damage, one of which ended up being totaled by insurance but the damage, while substantial, looked fixable. Another guy reported his engine hydro locked due to the injector filling up a cylinder. Just a heads up.