Another sniper question - which kit / config

[IT Cowboy]

Can anyone tell me which Sniper2 kit / config is needed for installation on our trucks with the in-cab tank. I have read on some other forums that the Holly kits do not include everything needed and small parts are missing like the fuel pump block plate etc. I am also confused about the fuel delivery choices and return or return less. Thank you

[Chevyland]

Make sure you keep your original parts
So you are able to put them back on
After it runs worse than it did
With it's original carburetor that worked just fine for 50 years

[weq92f]

Originally Posted by Chevyland

Make sure you keep your original parts
So you are able to put them back on
After it runs worse than it did
With it's original carburetor that worked just fine for 50 years

.

Indeed...I've got hopes however that OP will see his way here, just as he did with the wheels.

-Kevin

[IT Cowboy]

The tech side of me is just drawn to EFI, sigh

How about HEI with built in coil

[Rust_never_sleeps]

Originally Posted by IT Cowboy

The tech side of me is just drawn to EFI, sigh
......

There's a thing called the Carb Cheater that is some of both, but it's mostly aimed at people that want to learn carb tuning

[Rickysnickers]

Originally Posted by IT Cowboy

The tech side of me is just drawn to EFI, sigh

If that's the case, look into the Edelbrock Pro Flo 4.

[IT Cowboy]

Originally Posted by Rickysnickers

If that's the case, look into the Edelbrock Pro Flo 4.

That looks like a more complete kit and isn't much more money for what it is. The intake already has the bung for the sensor and it has the fuel pump

[PbFut]

EFI kits are all "mostly there" but never complete. They are very fun to tinker with. In line pumps are way easier to deal with but are noisy. Given we have an in cab tank, not sure of comparison on noise overall. I've always gone inline. EFI systems will run beautifully if you spend the time. No different than a carburetor. They can be more efficient than a carb, but you again need to spend the time to tweek. If you don't have a air gap manifold, it needs changing. Carbs use heat at the bottom of the manifold to vaporize the fuel charge under certain conditions. Injectors don't. Your truck is very new to you. You may want to slow down just a bit and learn the truck first before jumping on mods and major changes. Sorry didn't mean to preach. Also look a Aces EFI. Their system is way less money and provides some interesting benefits like duel o2s and a fairly fast processor. I don't like that they use Hall effect distributor trigger for spark management. Finally never trust that everything is engineered correctly. I made that mistake on a 8 stack unit and ended up burning up the front half of the truck due to a faulty injector rail setup that needed a missing spacer. It held for 3 weeks and then let go. That was September. After 5 months full time, I should be ready for first start this weekend.

[Coda O'Dell]

In my personal opinion with the experience ive had with mine, I love it. I honestly think it comes down to a skill level in installing it. Im not taking shot at anyone but i have had zero issues with mine even though i have seen alot of people have issues with theirs. The addition of the Sniper unit is light years better than the carb i had before. Just my two cents.

[IT Cowboy]

A lot of people have told me to get a basic Edelbrock carb if I want something simple to tune and that stays tuned. I am amazed that I haven't been able to find any shops or older guys around here that know how to really fine tune a carb and system. I am going to some car shows next month so I am hoping I can find someone there.

[my67c20]

The basic Holley Sniper 2 EFI with the Fuel System Master kit is what you will need. The Master kit comes with the fuel filters, hose, fittings, clamps, O2 sensor and fuel pump. It also included a set-up so you can plumb in the return line. I bought a new sending unit and drilled the required hole for the return line and had to get some other fitting cause I was picky. Had to make a bracket to mount the fuel pump and bought some more wire to extend thinks a bit, cause again i am picky. Overall level of install was easy and not regerts

[IT Cowboy]

Originally Posted by my67c20

The basic Holley Sniper 2 EFI with the Fuel System Master kit is what you will need. The Master kit comes with the fuel filters, hose, fittings, clamps, O2 sensor and fuel pump. It also included a set-up so you can plumb in the return line. I bought a new sending unit and drilled the required hole for the return line and had to get some other fitting cause I was picky. Had to make a bracket to mount the fuel pump and bought some more wire to extend thinks a bit, cause again i am picky. Overall level of install was easy and not regerts

Does Holly make an in tank pump that will fit in place of the in-cab tanks stock unit?

[weq92f]

.

FWIW to OP and others...

I've been running a full kit system from MSD installed back in 2014 or so by PO before I acquired the truck. It has been mostly flawless during my time at the helm of this rig with the exception of the IAC valve and of course...some trial and error on the tuning side, which I'll explain below. I've replaced the IAC when I thought it had to have failed based on cold and warm start performance. Now though, I'm pretty certain the IAC probably didn't fail.

This is the MSD Atomic I (original MSD unit designed and marked by MSD) full kit including fuel lines (return type setup), fittings, regulator, pump, filter system, O2 sensor, O2 sensor bung (weld), O2 sensor bung (clamp), throttle body and power supply unit. This was paired with MSD 6AL, MSD Blaster Coil and I later upgraded to MSD billet dizzy (with mechanical timing curve). I have never even attempted to allow the Atomic to control timing although it's fully capable of doing it.

The most persistent issue was cold start idle stability and warm start idle stability. That is, it would start (in either case) and then rev high and then almost stall several times in a row (sometimes stalling) before settling on a good, stable idle.

I resolved this through research and using Online MSD Atomic forums. Eventually, I learned that after mechanical blade adjustment (which was required during tuning over time), the computer needed a full, comprehensive reset to account properly for the hardware adjustment. Once I figured that out, my adjustments to the hardware were incremental, over several iterations of "adjust hardware => reset software => allow it to learn over maybe 4 or 5 cold starts and cruising around between with of course a bunch of warm starts mixed in". The process was long.

These days, after the above process (think 1 week minimum between hardware adjustments), it is just about perfect!

During my troubleshooting phase, I ended up purchasing for 300 bucks off FB Marketplace the following: MSD Atomic I throttle body, wiring harness and the power supply module (along with various other bits). I swapped those parts recently into my system temporarily and found that I was able to fire the engine just fine and it settled into a nice idle without issue! So...I have spare parts to boot!

Hth,

-Kevin

[IT Cowboy]

I believe that Holly purchased MSD

I keep getting ads for the Killstot system by Aces and they are a little bit cheaper but the reviews aren't great and they are definitely made in China.

[IT Cowboy]

Any feedback on the FiTech system?

[weq92f]

Originally Posted by IT Cowboy

I believe that Holly purchased MSD

I keep getting ads for the Killstot system by Aces and they are a little bit cheaper but the reviews aren't great and they are definitely made in China.

.

Indeed they did. The MSD Atomic I is still available in its original form but the new Atomic II, created by Holley, is a clone of the Sniper and not as "good" as the original.

YMMV of course but...he who spends a couple grand on an EFI system and expects solid performance out of the box...will be disappointed.

-Kevin

[IT Cowboy]

I have solicited a couple of quotes for having the Sniper2 installed for me and they range from $4k to 9k with system and parts - SMH. IF I decided to do it I would rather over research it myself and take 3 full weekends if needed.

[Steeveedee]

I'd pay GM engineers by buying a vehicle with the stuff already trouble shot, or just use a carburetor which has all the bugs worked out. I park my truck outside, so don't care about what little fumes it emits. I guess I'm just too old to deal with that stuff. /old man

[67 twins]

Originally Posted by IT Cowboy

I have solicited a couple of quotes for having the Sniper2 installed for me and they range from $4k to 9k with system and parts - SMH. IF I decided to do it I would rather over research it myself and take 3 full weekends if needed.

I'm hoping you'll come to your senses & realize the Quadrajet that's on there is the best option possible. It was made & calibrated by GM for your vehicle & engine. It will not run any better with EFI. Although you may be able to get somewhat better gas mileage it will take a LOT of driving to pay for that EFI.

[my67c20]

Originally Posted by IT Cowboy

I have solicited a couple of quotes for having the Sniper2 installed for me and they range from $4k to 9k with system and parts - SMH. IF I decided to do it I would rather over research it myself and take 3 full weekends if needed.

Installation does not require professional help, if you have the basic skills to turn a wrench and drill some holes. All the electrical is essentially plug and play. Removing the old carb and mounting the throttle body is pretty straight forward. Mounting the fuel pump just requires drilling 4 holes. Drilling the hole for the o2 sensor easy with a step drill bit and the kit comes with a bolt on bracket, so no welding required. Running fuel lines, is as easy as cutting the old one and connecting to the filter. I wanted a clean installation, which is why I bought some new line and drilled into the new sending unit. The instructions and the set-up wizard walk you thru the entire process. It took me a few weekend to complete the installation only because I extended some wires for a cleaner look. Had i not done that, I could have had it done in a weekend, which would have been occasionally interrupted by the boss. Don't scare yourself off and do not overthink it. I know many will complain about the issues and why a carb is better, blah, blah, blah, but never had an issue with the system.

[IT Cowboy]

Originally Posted by my67c20

Installation does not require professional help, if you have the basic skills to turn a wrench and drill some holes. All the electrical is essentially plug and play. Removing the old carb and mounting the throttle body is pretty straight forward. Mounting the fuel pump just requires drilling 4 holes. Drilling the hole for the o2 sensor easy with a step drill bit and the kit comes with a bolt on bracket, so no welding required. Running fuel lines, is as easy as cutting the old one and connecting to the filter. I wanted a clean installation, which is why I bought some new line and drilled into the new sending unit. The instructions and the set-up wizard walk you thru the entire process. It took me a few weekend to complete the installation only because I extended some wires for a cleaner look. Had i not done that, I could have had it done in a weekend, which would have been occasionally interrupted by the boss. Don't scare yourself off and do not overthink it. I know many will complain about the issues and why a carb is better, blah, blah, blah, but never had an issue with the system.

I can configure a multi-cluster server array with load balancing fault tolerance and program switches so there isn't much I cannot figure out or learn. My hands-on skills are getting worse with old age but I still do most of my own projects it just takes longer and usually more beers and breaks. I solicited quotes just to see what it would cost and thought it might be easier to let someone who has seen the system do it and they would be more efficient - nope. I am not confident in the places I received the quotes from and I don't think there are any master installers in a 5-state area.