Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

oh I am so in for this. I have Fitech now = will give it a try then if no good, im off to a sniper also, so please keep us updated!!!

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

I knew you would be watching! See small update below!

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

OK, so yesterday, I took the fitech off and uninstalled all the wiring harnesses, O2 sensor, etc. It was a sad thing to see it come off. I had high hopes and it just didn't perform like I wanted and the customer support was atrocious.

The Fitech left me on the side of the road AGAIN Monday...I had to reload factory defaults for it to start again and get it home. I decided that was the last straw for the Fitech. It had cut off/died on me multiple times and left me on the side of the road a few times over the last 5 months.

I installed the Sniper ran all the harnesses (not pretty yet) and went through the wizard on the handheld. I keyed off and then keyed back on to start it. I noticed a gas smell...and went and looked under the hood and there was gas a gas puddle on top of the manifold on the passenger side. I thought maybe I didn't tighten the return line enough..so I tightened again and triple checked my connections. Everything was tight...so I asked my daughter to key on so I could see where it was leaking...and the below video is what is happening.

I emailed the tech support guy I have been talking to...it was now about 6PM. He called me this morning and said looks like an injector O-ring was pinched when they put it together. They are sending me a label to return it to repair and then overnighting it back to me when it is finished. So for now their tech support is much better than Fitech, which is why I decided to try EFI again rather than go to a carb. Everytime I contact Holley they are good with customer support.

I am just glad I noticed the leak (gusher) and didn't crank it.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

One plus on the Holley side so far...my customer service guy called me back and said they were overnighting me a new unit and sending a call tag for the one I have. Not only that, they upgraded me to the next model Sniper since they didn't have any of the model I ordered! They also didn't have the unit I ordered in stock so they upgraded me to the next higher model! So tomorrow, I will have a new unit and we will try again!

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Is there not a way to service that O-ring?

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

There is...but they are going to fix it when I send it back. They didn't want me to have to wait for it to be sent back to them then repaired and sent back to me. My truck is my daily driver, so when my truck is down I have no ride...so I appreciate that they realized that and took care of me.

I was told they are going to take it and use it as a learning tool for their refurbished tech guys...since I bought refurbished, this should not have happened...shouldn't happen with a new one either, but stuff happens...it just depends what kind of customer service the company has...so far so good.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Gothcha. My line of thinking was:

• They tell you what they think it is

• Provide a p/n for the O-ring you can source locally

• You R&R it

• You move forward if that corrects it

• They compensate you on a future deal if necessary

Stuff happens & them taking care of it like they are is great but not being able to service it like an OE injector can be serviced would be a concern from my perspective.
Not that injector O-rings randomly fail frequently but when it happens, I'd rather be able to repair it quickly.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

You are right he told me what he thinks it is...but without taking it apart no way to guess.

My thinking was I have had the unit installed for 5 minutes and it failed...take care of me not have me take something brand new apart and guess what's wrong. If it were not under warranty I would take it apart and replace an injector, but I am sure if I replaced it without their knowledge it would void the warranty. The injectors are replaceable...most of the main parts are Bosch and OE type pieces.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Sounds like they are really taking care of you though - that's some pretty good customer service.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

That makes sense & I agree again that their CS is looking pretty good so far.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Got the new Holley Sniper delivered. I hooked it up, but need to clean up some wiring, but I had to try it out. It did something the FiTech never did...started and idled without pumping the gas to get it to start.

A couple of short videos--sound is weird on the 2nd video...will get more tomorrow. Will take it for the initial drive tomorrow...so far it is so much better than FiTech. I was never able to start the truck without giving it throttle...I already enjoy being able to crank it without throttle...like efi is supposed to do.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Awesome Andy! Glad to hear that Holley is stepping up to the plate. Their method might not be the fastest way but to send you a new one before you send the old one back is great.

I also bought a sniper, the Stealth version for my Camaro. Hope to that I can tune it as easy as yours appears to be.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Thanks Larry! Good to see you over here again!

So far so good for the Sniper. I feel I know more about the FiTech because I had to tweak it everyday, but the Sniper ran out of the box less the hiccup of the leak. So it will take me a minute to find all the spots to tweak. I am not going to touch much if anything before I let it learn and see how it falls in line.

The Stealth? Must be pushing a lot of HP on the Camaro!

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Nah, I might be at 350-400HP. The Stealth supports 650 HP, I believe. I don't think it's any different than your unit other than the design.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Tried running the wiring nicer than I had it when I just tested yesterday. The difference I noticed is the super Sniper has the wiring come out the front and the 4150 Sniper have them out the back. The back makes for a cleaner install. Need to clean up a little but not too bad.

I did take the truck for a drive today and I am excited for how it responded. Felt like it ran better than ever. Better still I could not ever get the FiTech IAC set and if I did it never would stay that way on the next startup. The Sniper was set easily and stayed set. Not sure what I am going to do with the free time I will have because I won't be fine tuning anymore...well as much!

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Customer service makes or breaks a company - our start up - well our 5 year old start up - implemented a customer care program from pretty much day one. End result is we have not lost a customer and everybody has renewed their contract.

The engine bay of your daily driver is wonderful. Love the green.

P. :D

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Thanks Paul! I love the engine bay as well. To me it is the crown jewel of the truck. Kudos to you for implementing good customer support!

I couldn't agree more. Maybe because years ago I was a customer support manager, so it is a pet peeve of mine. I think customer service is more important now than ever before and it seems to be worse now than ever before. In the day of the internet and people voicing their displeasure more than their pleasure about a company, you would hope having good customer service would be the norm, but it isn't. It seems a lot of companies get your money and don't care or they try to help, but the support rep isn't trained properly...which is also a pet peeve of mine. I also did corporate training in a past life. So the resources are there to do the job.

I think the difference in FiTech customer support and Holley is the Holley CS rep I talk to is a car guy. He has a couple of square body trucks and 4 other vintage cars. Everyone at Fitech I talked to didn't seem to be interested in cars, it was a job and not a passion. I don't want to work a job if I am not passionate about at least enjoy and want to learn about the product I am supporting.

I could talk for days on customer service...but I will sit back and relish in the fact I am not fighting the Fitech anymore!

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

I bought my Sniper from EFI System Pro. They talk a lot about their customer service. Hopefully I wont need it but if I do I hope they put their money where there mouth is!

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

I've heard good things about EFI Systems Pro. I have ready many of their support posts on EFI.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

I'm so old school I don't know anything about injection except what I've picked up here on the forum so I haven't got much to say on the subject but it sure looks good and it sounds like you're happy with it.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

What wires did you end up going with so they didn't give you RF interference?

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

I ended up using MSD 31199. I bought them from Napa...they were a little cheaper than anyone else.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

So as i mentioned earlier, i have the FiTech Power Adder EFI system that i tired some time ago and after a short run with it, i moved over to a full blown out LS motor (This is in my 1969 C10). But, after reading your posts and a few others, i think that i am going to go with the Holly 4150 EFI kit. Few reasons are customer service and working knowledge of the company, ease of use and maintenance, looks and well if i am going to do this i want to install a spot in the customer center console to store the little computer interface module so i can see the parameter of what is going on at any time. I only want to do this once, and the Fitech and Holly units are not the same. So, God willing my Harley sells this Friday (hate it but due to past back and neck issues, it must go) i will have the extra funds to just buy the unit. I have the EFI pump in the tank already, so..... Fuel regulator and off i go.... LOL

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

I forgot to ask...are you having RF or other issues with your FiTech?

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

I feel you! I hated pulling the Fitech. I had high hopes and it would never run right on my truck. In hindsight, if I ever (when) I put a new or rebuilt engine in another vehicle, I won't buy the EFI until I am ready to fire it up. My warranty wa up before I ever turned the key. There should be a built in hour counter or something that they can tell when it was used for the first time or how many hours it has on the unit for warranty issues.

I really like the Holley. It fires up every time without pumping the gas. The IAC is steady in the range it should be in 2-10%. I like the handheld on the Holley better too. I am thinking of making a holder for it that will fold under the dash and I can fold it down when I want to with a hinge or something or put it in an ashtray... I didn't trust the Fitech so I always have the handheld out, I am ready for the day I don't really need to look at it. I am getting close!

I thought about putting a carb on the truck, but since I had run the fuel lines and had an in tank fuel pump, I just bit the bullet and went with the Holley...I am glad I did!

Is your Fitech still under warranty?

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Not that I know of. I just wanted to know what wires you went with so when I need new wires what to look for so I don't have issues.

Thanks

I really haven't had an issues with my fitech, but if I was to purchase again, I wouldn't buy fitech. They have let too many people down.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Good...glad you aren't having issues! I will let you know the long term reliability of the wires too. So far so good though.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Oh heck no it is not. LOL I bought it about 3 years ago. I was going to use it on a different motor in my 1969 C10, but long story short, i converted to an LS with full Injection, so this was on the shelf... sitting. When it was running on the truck for a week, it was not right, but i never tinkered with it alot out of frustration and other things, almost went to Carb, then my dumb butt decided to go with LS, lol. Love the LS platform, but the 1966 is old school, full roller cam, aluminum heads, 383 stroker motor with Muncie 4-speed, but i want EFI and so, if things work out and God willing my Harley sells, i will be getting the Holly EFI 4150, it is the one that looks like an old holly carb. I like the look and it will accept adders.... HE HE

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Looks like my valve covers made the manufacturers facebook page... :)

https://www.facebook.com/pmlyourcove...type=3&theater

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Well, that's cool!

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

So Glad its running smoothly now.......Pretty cool they posted your engine bay.....AWESOME

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Thanks John! We need to catch up soon!

I also made PML Valve Covers install page on their website...I am excited...:chevy::metal:

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

I finally found a wire loom that would sort of work. I had to fabricate a bracket, but I used the main part of the loom. It is exactly how I wanted and no more burned plug wires!

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

OK so when are "done" with your truck you start doing things you wanted to do, but needed to get it running right first...so you install an original dash clock...and it works! Of course I forgot to set it after I installed it! DOH! The hardest part was drilling into the dash!

Thanks again to John for finding and sending me this gorgeous clock! I love it!

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Do those center a/c vents just blow straight forward or can the direction be manipulated? It might be just the angle of that above pic but they look like they're fixed position.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Must be the angle...they rotate 360 degrees in all directions. Here is another pic.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Nice. It was just the angle of the image (along w/the fact they were flush w/the socket/housing @ the time).

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Finally installed the decal I got from Jimmy (PGSigns). Great looking decal!

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

awesome... lol

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

We did our first car show today since the truck has been back on the road. Had a great time, met lots of new friends. Had about 170 cars/trucks there. Then this evening we took the truck to the local Chevy dealer and snapped a few photos....great day all the way around!