Ok looking for some input. I currently have a a first intake with a holley hp efi system with a dual sync dstributor and msd 6a box. None has even been used yet. Even the motor has not been fired since being built. I had a guy to install the holley hp sytem and get it tuned and running, but has since buying all the stuff moved out of country and finding a guy in my area to install is next to impossible. I was talking to the Edelbrock rep at the last goodguys event about the pro flo 4 xt efi system. Seem like a much easier system to get installed and should give my build what it needs. The motor is a n/a motor with no intentions of adding any power adders. I could sell off the stuff i have now and have extra cash to put elsewhere. Do i stick with the holley or go with the edelbrock pro flo 4 xt system? Just trying to figure out whats best for a guy with limited efi experience.

 

Holley has excellent online support and isnt very complicated. I would stick with it but i have no experience with the Edelbrock. Only holley

 

I have no experience with either really. Just dont want a system that i have to constantly mess with to keep the car running. That was the main reason for going the self tuning route. Only finding out later that the holley is kinda self tuning. Was hoping for someone with some input on the Edelbrock system.

 

I installed the Holley HP myself. I'm happy to help you in any way I can.

 

The Holley tuned itself REALLY well in my opinion. I wouldn't put final HP/TQ numbers up against a professional tuners dyno tune, but it runs incredibly well day to day. I have been slowly tweaking and fine tuning as I learn, but I wouldn't consider it necessary.

 

How is it for being reliable. Alot of the holley efi forums im on are guys having constant problems and sensor malfunctions.

 

I've seen very little evidence of guys having failures with the Holley ECM or anything else. The forums are filled with guys suggesting there are problems, only to find out there are other issues. In fact, I've had a few myself where I was SURE the Holley was the problem, and even been on the techline.....only to find out the problem was something else. Of course by rule of numbers, I'm sure some people have had issues. I know four guys including myself currently running the HP or Terminator, and all four of us have had 100% reliability with every part of the kit.

Of all the parts I've purchased my car over the years, which is pretty much every part at one time or another, I can't think of a part that has been more complex in operation that operated nearly as well as the Holley. From the performance to the tech help, I've been 100% satisfied. ...and the price reflects that I think. Obviously ain't cheap, but to me it's been worth every penny.

 

Everyone I know that has a holley hasnt had issues. There were some bugs in loading/updating firmware stuff but usually no issues for most ppl.

My setup is only months old but no issues and the self tuning really did work well and quickly. As it progresses and your tune gets closer,you taper off the aggressiveness and speed of adjustment, and limit what correction can happen

now there is a bit of a learning curve setting up the file for your engine if you cant find a base to start with, but there are alot of base files out there that should get you close. Holley forums can help too

 

Thanks for the help guys. I know from what i have read that holley has the best tech help out there. Its more just a guy with little efi knowledge understanding it. I guess i will keep plugging along with it and hope it doesnt become an even bigger money pit.

 

Feel free to ask any questions you may have, here, in another thread or a PM. Orr knows a bit more about tuning than I do, but as far as the Holley itself, and the set up, I'm fairly knowledgeable.

 

Thanks for the help guys. I will defiantly be hitting you up with some questions.

 

What are the basic details of the engine you're using it for?

...and maybe I missed this in the initial post. Do you already have it installed?? Sounds like you said someone already got it all broken in.

 

I have only installed the 1 harness for the intake manifold. The motor has never been fired. Everything is new. The motor is a 350 with forged pistons, eagle rods, and crank. Has a crower roller camshaft and a set of Chevy modified 113 aluminum heads, roller rockers and the first intake. Car will be a weekend driver and occasional autocross. I just want to be sure the Holley hp is all correct before starting the motor so that it will run well enough to break In the motor. As of right now motor, trans and rear end and big brake upgrade all have 0 miles on them.

 

The Holley should have no trouble at all with that at all. Do you have the base calibration put together yet? 90% of that is simply plugging in the proper values, cubes, injector size, yada yada. Once that's done, the instructions walk you through a checklist, including syncing your laptop and ECU. Once that's done you can see what the ECU sees, and it's basically ready to crank. I took my time with it, double and triple checking stuff. I was pretty nervous, but it all went smooth.

Take your time with it. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised with it. It SOUNDS daunting and complicated, but at the end of the day it's basically plug in the right connections, answer some questions and let the Holley do what you paid for it to do.

 

I am waiting on a couple more parts before i get to firing it up. I just wanted to get a little feedback before i got too far into it. Ill stick qith the holley if its not that bad to install. Thanks for the info.

 

If you bought the Holley HP from a Holley Reseller they can give you even more "white glove" support; if directly from Holley then you need to use the forums.

I also have a Holley HP controlled FIRST intake build. I ran into some last second intake fitament issues that I had to work out, but I'll have it all back together this weekend. -Then I'm probably a month out from getting the engine back in the car and switching the focus to the Holley HP so I'm a good 6 weeks behind you at least.

I think you can get a good base running tune out of the Holley HP by yourself. If you want to get it tuned there's some folks on the Holley EFI Facebook page that do remote tuning. -You just connect a laptop to your Holley HP and connect to your WIFI router and then install the guy's remote access app and he'll remote into your laptop and have you run it through the RPMs and he'll tune it remotely. Los Vasquez is the name of the remote Holley Tuner everyone on there recommends again and again.


Adam

 

I found a guy wire up my hp set up. I dont want to run into any wiring issues. Im not comfortable doing the wiring myself with everything being new. I just about a guy that does remote tuning on one of the facebook holley efi pages im on. What kind of issues did you run into with the fitment on the first intake?

 

My issues with the FIRST intake were likely mostly my own.
I wanted my FIRST intake port-matched to my Profiler 195cc heads (Felpro 1206 gasket), Ken agreed. The intake ports are raised 0.100" from the stock SBC placement, but I don't think they moved the bolt holes from stock placement (bolt holes not moved, just intake port) -I think when Ken ported the intake and moved the ports, he moved the bolt holes assuming that they would be centered on the port. I had to slightly elongate the bolt holes. Then the intake ports in my head were more rounded than the FIRST intake and gasket's port -the incoming airflow from the intake's ports were going to slam into material in the corner of the entry to the heads so I opened up the corners of the intake ports in each head to match. (If the head-side was bigger than the intake I would've left it; because the intake side was bigger I decided to stop and port them.)



Adam

 

Nothing wrong with that, but just hear me out for a second. I've been on this site for almost 20 years, and those who tune their own cars always preach about learning how to do it, -if only just the basics. I always felt like they came across with a kind of snobbery the way they would push it when the topic was brought up. I figured once I build my engine, I'll drop a few hundred bucks and few hours, get it done professionally, and boom, I'm done. My goal with the Holley was to let the system tune itself and get me up and running and on the road, and then maybe trouble shoot any minor problems. Make sure the REST of the car and engine worked, and then eventually bring it to a tuner and have it professional tuned. Had no real intention of learning how to tune. More just learn how to get it all hooked up, and then let the pros do it!
My engine fired on the second crank, and ran pretty darn good right away. Idle was smooth. Only thing it really needed was to lower the idle, just a hair, so I did that. Pretty easy. Adjusted the fan activation a little. Ran into some minor deceleration issues and really wasn't worried about it, but read a great article about it....walked into the garage, fired up the laptop and changed just a few parameters. First time didn't do much but the second time it smoothed right out. Then per the instructions after a few months I started doing some basic smoothing to the fuel table. Before I even realized it, I'd taught myself the basics of tuning! I knew my software and how to navigate it. Learned all the flag and constant settings and had a good understanding of how to modify the tables and how they relate.I understand how to read a datalog given that I'm normally after some sort of specific data to begin with. I know more about the car than I ever have and the only regret I have is that I didn't understand what the "DIY tuner" guys had been preaching all along.

The system will tune itself, and by the nature of what it is, it'll tell you what it's doing and what it's not. Do yourself a favor and give it a shot. The guy on FB is always available if you need to drop back and punt, but I'm telling you, by the time you get it up and running, you'll probably already know enough to take that next step. ...and then the next...and the next. It's all good if you have someone else do it, but I'm telling ya, you can do it.

 

I will see how things go once i get it up and running. I will only go to a tuner if i cant get ot running 100%. Thanks for the help. I will defiantly pick your brain once thing are running.

 

I had heard that going with an aftermarket management system creates problems with the gauges.?

any truth to that?

 

Depends on whether or not the ECM runs any of your gauges. On my 89 Iroc, it did not. -I believe on a newer car it could certainly create a lot more problems. Not sure on that, but that would be my guess. Lot less individual systems, and lots more interconnected parts.

 

Holley has great support. Even can call on sat. Someone mentioned buying from a vendor. Their is a vendor fastmanefi that is recommended on the holley forums. I know people that have delt with him and I did buy my whole cnp kit from him. He offers a start up tune for free if you buy a system from him. He comes very highly recommended in the forums. He has years of experience in efi. I would give him a call if you are in the market. Plus he offers live tuning through your laptop as well. Couple of options. Fastmanefi is the website.

 

Are you keeping your First TPI system? I’ve been looking for a good used one.
Let me know if you are selling it, thanks.

 

There's a black crinkle-painted and ceramic thermal barrier coated FIRST -brand new for sale in Bellingham, WA right now - it's the Vortec version. $800
Same guy has a set of Vortec heads for $300 and a set of Mickey Thompson SBC valve covers painted the same black crinkle paint: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...ssenger_banner


Adam

 

Thanks a lot Adam. I’m chatting with him now. I’m going to take that TPI system for sure.

 

Just bought the 1st TPI system from him. Thanks again Adam!