TPI86TA

So I have the following engine that I'm swapping over to my GTA.
355 small block
TRW forged pistons
Comp XE268 cam
Vortec Heads
Crane Gold Roller Rockers 1.6
Edelbrock RPM airgap intake
Cloyes double roller timing set
010 2bolt main high nickel block

So I was debating, carburetor or an aftermarket efi set up such at Fitech. Anyone have experience with fitech or similar system? And if s cant you use your stock fuel pump, my set up was originally tpi, however I was going to run carburetor only because the new engine for the swap has a decent carburetor type intake.

TPI86TA

I guess more less I'm sold on the fitech set up and wanted to get any advice on fuel delivery. Now if I kept with an EFI system, cant I keep with my stock in tank fuel pump it

texas_rebel

I've also been looking into FiTech or something similar. My 85 is already carbed, but I'm looking to do a 383 build on it in the near future and kinda like the idea of not having to worry about cold starts and the such. Interested to see what people here have to say about it.

TPI86TA

Yeah I heard fitech is newer but good. I hear its comparable to the holley EFI set ups

scooter

iTrader: (11)

Tech support on the FiTech is almost non existent. I would go with Holley, real tech, plus it can do a lot more.

Need to know what the FP is for the FiTech to know whether your existing pump is capable of feeding it.

ULTM8Z

Definitely don't go carburetor. Fuel injection systems have come a long way in recent years with user friendliness and tunability. Except for the added cost and complexity of installing it, I don't see any drawbacks to going EFI.

TylerSteez

iTrader: (3)

I just made the decision to go with a carb over the holley sniper due to the price (still really want one)

I spoke with holley and you can not use the stock TPI pump, not too sure about the fitech system but I'd imagine you cant use it on that as well.

TPI86TA

Wow holley sniper kits are expensive

TylerSteez

iTrader: (3)

Not trying to sway your decision but I also read of a lot of people complaining about their fitech systems and wishing they went with the Holley Sniper instead

TPI86TA

Thanks for the info Tyler, that why I started this thread

Abubaca

iTrader: (3)

What fuel pressure does the Sniper need? I'm running the Holley HP system, and fuel requirements weren't based on the Holley, but based on the engines fuel requirements.

TPI86TA

How about this MSD set up, anyone have thoughts on this?

TPI86TA

My engine currently has a vacuum advance distributor, can that be used with these EFI systems?

TPI86TA

Ok, I'm practically sold now on the sniper. I didnt realize it comes with everything. Fuel line, filters, pump, fittings, mechanical pump block off plate

Abubaca

iTrader: (3)

Holley is awesome. I've been incredibly happy with my Holley HP. Tech help is awesome, both on the phone and their forum.

anesthes

iTrader: (12)

Yes you can.

-- Joe

anesthes

iTrader: (12)

The Sniper is the way to go. You can also modify a small cap HEI distributor to work with the sniper (remove the module, wire the pickup directly to the sniper VR input, and fire the coil directly)

The sniper can also be tuned via laptop, which is nice. The software is a bit more full featured.

-- Joe

TPI86TA

Thanks Joe! I'll probably order my sniper kit today. Using the stock tpi fuel pump, do I need anything or just run my supply and return lines to the EFI?

BovineZro

iTrader: (11)

I have the Go Street EFI 400HP and I'm liking it so far. It's easy to install, relatively easy to tune (still ironing out a few things there) and the price is right for my current build with room to grow. 305 with a vacuum advance HEI distributor and using the stock TPI fuel pump (for a bigger engine you will need a higher capacity pump). I had to make my own fuel lines from the factory TPI hard lines to the FiTech ($40 and about an hour of time). Wired the factory fan relays in parallel, which according to FiTech is fine (I don't have AC). Also picked up a throttle cable bracket ($70) but reusing the original TPI throttle cable.

From what I've read, I would not suggest using their fuel command center. It seems to be prone to overheating and fuel starvation issues. It would probably be easier to install a return fuel line and use an intank pump in the long run. It also looks like they have issues with older firmware on some of the FiTech units, so you will want to make sure yours is up to date (apparently this is easy to do, but I got one with newer firmware). I've seen complaints about DOA units, but it looks like they're easy enough to get replaced.

There seems to be some debate on dual plane vs single plane intake manifolds. Some say either will work fine, some say you need to use a spacer or notch the center plenum on a dual plane, some say that single plane is the only viable option. Apparently the RPM ranges for intakes relating to carbs doesn't apply to carb-intake-mounted EFI units, so an intake that's a good fit for an engine running a carb would be less than ideal for the exact same engine with the FiTech (or similar EFI unit). I'm not making any claims here, just sharing what I've read. I'm running a dual plane manifold, but I'm going to try a 1" spacer since it's a cheap (potential) upgrade.

The tuning is done with the handheld, it's clumsy but not too terrible. Based on what I've seen most people spend at least an hour or two fiddling with the various settings. It's not quite "bolt on and go" (although mine started and ran on the third try). There's a facebook group that has a pretty good presence for unofficial support, but FiTech doesn't have much tech support themselves. I'm still working through this stage of the install. I'm getting good idle and the engine revs happily to about 4500RPM (haven't tried to go higher than that). However, I'm also getting an off-idle bog when I stomp on the pedal (running it up slowly is fine). Apparently you can also log and export tuning tables if you want to mess with them on a computer, but I haven't gotten that far yet.

95% of the issues I've seen with the FiTech are related to improper installation or expecting the thing to run on the first try. If that's your basis for a good product vs a bad product, expect "issues" with any aftermarket EFI system. That being said, there are real problems that can come up. FiTech seems to have a good record of standing by the product and replacing hardware that's actually defective (again, not stuff that's not working properly because it's not installed properly - also not stuff that's been damaged because someone hooked it up wrong).

Hope this helps. A lot of it is "I read about some guy that experienced this" but I figured it might still be useful to you.

TPI86TA

Ugh so on the fence lol. So anyone have a recommendation for reasonably priced headers for my set up? Basically I'm trying to do everything myself and I have a $4000 budget to work with.

scooter

iTrader: (11)

My experience are two advanced level users that have had problems with the system and FiTech doesn't even know where to start to help them. They called tech support and get nothing because it falls outside the printed troubleshooting guide. The one guy is a tuner and said it was terrible to work with, the other guy was a user and kept having problems. I think I heard he finally pulled it off and put a carb or another EFI system on it.

I have heard other stories on the internet, all similar. I think it is a cheap system and people get what they are paying for.

To the OP, you can run timing control or you don't have to with most of the aftermarket EFI systems. I am currently running my Holley without timing control, but on another vehicle I was using the timing control. If you don't use it, on any system, you're likely to just have to wire the tach signal to the ecm so it knows what the RPM is.
The Holley I have will run any number of engines. I can take it off my TBI engine, chage the harness and put it on a 24x LS engine, or a TPI engine, or Ford. It will do distributor, or coil on plug. Nitrous control, fan outputs etc. It really is the most versatile one out there, does a lot more than that, but thats what I can think of right now

anesthes

iTrader: (12)

Yes, the Sniper has built in fuel pressure regulator set at 58psi. Just connect pin C (blue wire) to a fuel pump relay. (factory relay works as the holley is positive not negative like some aftermarket systems).

On a HEI distributor, remove the module and splice the pickup to pin W (-) and G (+) for distributor reference, and the grey wire from the coil driver (ignitor) goes to the negative side of the coil.

The Sniper is a nice sub $1,000 EFI system. The holley software is nice. I wish it worked with CNP / Wasted spark.

-- Joe

anesthes

iTrader: (12)

The sniper can't do 24x or anything other than a distributor though, it just has a distributor pickup and single coil driver.

The other Holley stuff can of course.

-- Joe

anesthes

iTrader: (12)

I like the OBX stainless long tubes. They also make a 1 3/4" shorty stainless header too, which looks pretty fantastic.

-- Joe

BovineZro

iTrader: (11)

Yep, their tech support might as well not exist.

Before deciding on FiTech, I read about 20 build threads and 80+ "FIRST INSTALL WAHT I DOING WRONG??!" posts. I was initially very skeptical too, because there seemed to be lots of problems and the price seemed too low (and in a sense it is, because most installs need additional hardware and the FCC is hot garbage). However, about 95% of the posts I read around a year ago were issues with incorrect wiring, inadequate fuel pressure, or basic install stuff (vacuum leaks, timing). After ignoring the problems people made for themselves, what was left made it seem that the FiTech hardware would work for my application (which is nothing special), provide good value, and give me some room for future upgrades.

Not trying to start an argument, just sharing what I've found doing my research and why I suggested the FiTech. OP's needs look pretty close to what I eventually have planned.

scooter

iTrader: (11)

I am not suggesting getting the Sniper though I have the older version of the TBI with the good ECU that I can just get a new wiring harness and run the 24x stuff. I would recommend that to anyone, what ever the comparable system is named now, Terminator maybe?

anesthes

iTrader: (12)

Oh I don't know. Most people have been using the sniper systems because of the sub $1,000 price point for the whole thing (throttle body, ecu, injectors, regulator, sensors) and it supports 600hp.

The terminator stuff is over $2000.

For someone like me, the terminator or holley HP would be the better fit, but for most guys the sniper seems to fit the bill.

-- Joe

scooter

iTrader: (11)

Whoa, yeah, that's a lot more now. I paid around $1700 for mine some years ago.

Still recommend it over the Sniper though, lol

TPI86TA

From what I'm gathering, can we only use shorty headers on our thirdgens?

efiguy

iTrader: (2)

I tested both the Sniper and FITech 600hp models back to back.
Both fired up right away, both made comparable power but the FITech learned faster, I think that was because it said it was set up for a 300hp 350 anything right out of the box. FITech was fine but tech for the Holley is head and shoulders above the FITech. Pretty sure Holley will be around longer as well.
But I still get a kick out of guys that call non-spark TBI units EFI!Lol

anesthes

iTrader: (12)

TBI is not Electronic Fuel Injection?

-- Joe

anesthes

iTrader: (12)

I'm using long tube headers.

-- Joe

efiguy

iTrader: (2)

TPI86TA

Was it a pita? Or any funky modifications needed? What headers do you have?

anesthes

iTrader: (12)

Kind of ? The only difference is the injector is sitting in the throttle body, rather than the runner. Just because it looks like a carb, doesn't make it one.

-- Joe

anesthes

iTrader: (12)

No. The OBX headers fit automatic cars no issues.

I probably wouldn't bother with them on a low-hp build though.

-- Joe

articwhiteZ

iTrader: (56)

I'm giving fitech a shot..see what it will do on a 615 bigblock chevy (All aluminum bbc)

just keeping it simple..


before the intake was polished mock up..and now.every body is making parts for them now..linkage and blackets..

Toxicant

Im running a FiTech in mine with the return line set up and a 60psi inline pump and i dont think i can ever go back to a carb after using it.

bluegrassz

iTrader: (3)

I was thinking of going FItech or Sniper. I looked into both. I did find out that you cannot use a drop base air cleaner on the FItech, but Holley does offer a drop base specifically for the Sniper EFI. So depending on which intake you will use and how much under hood clearance you have, may help in the decision.

I am planning on getting the Holley Sniper. I already have the OBX LT headers as mentioned above, but have not installed them yet. And I think that either unit would require at least a Walbro 255 pump for enough fuel PSI.

I am running a MSD 6A box with a MSD non Vacuum advance dist. Should be a easy enough install.

Toxicant

make sure your grounds are solid using ether I burned up one of my old grounds because it was a little on the corroded side and couldn't handle the new ground load

bluegrassz

iTrader: (3)

Will do. Thanks

Boom

I ran a Fitech (meanstreet 800 HP style) on a SBF and never had any issues. I even had the original fuel command center fed by a Holley red pump. It did what I wanted it to, which was ease of starting and better fuel efficiency. The dual plane issue was noticeable on the first big acceleration, but after the engine warmed up it was gone. I daily drove that car (68 Mustang with 347 and T5) for about 4 years with the Fitech and never had an issue.

That all being said, I was glad I never had an issue because as mentioned, FItech's support is basically non-existent. My Iroc will almost certainly be getting a Holley Sniper system, though. It wasn't out when I originally got the Fitech.

Just my .02