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my holley sniper story from the start --- UPDATE : the story END'S NOW !

oh ya and i have the gosh dam coolant sensor problem . . . 195* t-stat and shows 170-maybe 180* if i recall its a 12-15 degree off problem with them . . .

What are they using for a sensor? (I saw the reply over there for a TX3, whatever app that is)

I know that not all of the GM temp sensors have the same "profile" (resistance at a given coolant temp) even though they might externally be the same. Which PROBABLY isn't normally going to be too big an issue, except engine temp is usually one of the inputs to the ECM that affects nearly everything the computer does...and if the 12-15* puts the ECM over some threshold that affects performance, it certainly doesn't help.
 
What are they using for a sensor? (I saw the reply over there for a TX3, whatever app that is)

I know that not all of the GM temp sensors have the same "profile" (resistance at a given coolant temp) even though they might externally be the same. Which PROBABLY isn't normally going to be too big an issue, except engine temp is usually one of the inputs to the ECM that affects nearly everything the computer does...and if the 12-15* puts the ECM over some threshold that affects performance, it certainly doesn't help.
It is a gm cts, but not sure which one. I used a TBI unit as I already had one. It read correctly
 
tx3 is a part# and he made it a link to rockauto with that page showing it .

real FU*KIN HAPPY i have to go buy a dam sensor with less than 2hr run time and 30 miles at most on it .

i am ready to sell this shit box pile of crap and go edelbrock . . . . pro-flo4
 
all the systems whether its holley, fitech or edelbrock has similar issues
I have fitech go street 400
I have replaced the temp sensor, o2 sensor and fuel pressure regulator
I have iac motor and tps sensor for when those fail I can swap and keep going
 
The point is, if the manufacturer/designers of that system said "lets use a GM CTS, and make sure it has this connector, and these threads" without bothering to verify that the part number they picked out matches the temperatures they *thought* it would, you could end up like that. Above someone used a GM TBI CTS and it read correctly, I'd probably go with that.

I haven't done my article yet on all the parts numbers needed, but if you grab a CTS for a '90-91 Suburban or K5 (I think 1990 is correct) they are three wire, which if you use stock gauges, will eliminate having to use both a CTS and a gauge sender.
 
my point is you spend $995.99 and get :poo: for quality on the sensors . and then if you ask and they do send a replacement who is to say it will be any better .

i dont care to spend my money on new and get :poo:

then i need to spend 15-20 bucks local + tax for a new one . then i need to take a hr of my time to get a drain pan / drop the coolant level down / change the sensor / refill system / hope the new one i installed dont leak / fire it up and burp the system of air . who is paying me to do this on there cheep quality frig up . :dunno:
 
i got so much tbi stuff in stock i should just get a stand alone harness or redo 1 i have and get a chip for the vortec l31 engine specs and be frigin done with it .

better yet i should have done a ls swap and a pcm reflash . then i would have just needed a electric pump for my plow since they didnt offer them for ls engines in live hydro .
 
i got so much tbi stuff in stock i should just get a stand alone harness or redo 1 i have and get a chip for the vortec l31 engine specs and be frigin done with it .
If you have a TBI system then why don't you use the TBI sender for the sniper? Isn't it the same 2 pin?

Been reading this thread and just got done installing a sniper kit and the only issue is the IAC at 100% at idle, with some research I think I have it figured out. We even took off a busted Holley commander 950 and didn't even swap the CTS.
 
oh this is going to get real interesting . . . i found the software for FULL control on there site . wow my brain hurts bad after skimming it . :1zhelp::doah::zombie7:
 
oh this is going to get real interesting . . . i found the software for FULL control on there site . wow my brain hurts bad after skimming it . :1zhelp::doah::zombie7:
Full control of what? You talking about hooking it to a computer and programming that way?
 
Well i just went for a nice little 10 mile round trip and figured data log the up hill and down the other side half. Well this didn't work out to good as the touch screen unit is starting to do its thing again and only the warmer it gets. But now it is locking up and popping the sd card out/in does nothing with the truck running. I have to shut the vehicle down and restart then i only get a few places and locks up again. So i figured i would pull the saved data log file i just made and in the touch screen unit and my shop computer there is no data log saved . just 4 files with asian looking symbols on it with dates back to the mid 90's . I guess its time to call the tech line and get something going on this .
 
well here is my little story i typed up to hopfully help other people make a informed choice so they dont get sucked in to the rabbit hole of hell as bad as i did .

now i can only say for sure on the sniper info but the edelbrock kit is looking better and better via feedback from members here and on there chat forum ( of nice people )

here goes my story : well road time now happening in the truck and i am NOT feeling to confident about trusting this holley sniper unit at all
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list of knows problems for me so far :

1= coolent temp sensor is bad under 30 miles of use . does the typical 12-15 degree drop from were it should be lots of people are having problem .

2= throttle linkage arm on unit to short requires spacer bracket . lots of people complaining about this also . i made a 7/8" spacer for it and it helped a lot but still sucks . has a flat spot in it also that sticks . and yes my cable is good . i lubed the hell out of it and it moves SUPER easy you can almost blow on it to move . https://ck5.com/forums/threads/sniper-throttle-cable-update-road-time-feedback.335379/

3= even the super heavy return springs it has you still need another one for the return to zero throttle . makes it even harder .

4= the linkage is 1:1 direct on primary to secondary . . who figured this would be great for street use daily driving ? you need to order a progressive link and upload the option on there softwear and it still dosnt support it 100% so its hit or miss on if it works for you or not . https://forums.holley.com/showthread.php?22553-Progressive-Linkage-makes-Sniper-EFI-WAAAY-Better

5= touch screen ecu unit for in the vehicle has had problems from day 1 fire up . makes button choices all by its self and now its locking up and wont reset unless you turn the key off and wait then restart the vehicle .

6= NOT bolt it on and go self tuning like they advertise on the box / ad's / tv shows . still requires YOU to do a good deal of tuning later with there softwear program if you under stand all of it ( and i dont ) .

7= this being the most important to me is the fact there customer service after the fact SUCKS A$$
ohthedrama.gif
there chat forum for tech help is governed by a english correction gramer checking dictator . my 1st post there i was replyed to by him and told me to watch my self and use spell check / correct punctuation / dont type like you text I EDIT EVERY POST FOR THIS STUFF HERE .
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he didnt give me any help at first what so ever . and another member even chimed in and said about the same thing . https://ck5.com/forums/threads/and-i-figured-pirate-was-bad-with-new-members-update.335434/

if there is any more problems i am going to rip this off and sell it . i know lots of people would buy it and prob love it but NOT me !

i have already started looking on edelbrocks pro-flo4 system and its hands down a lot better customer service / chat forum being super nice and helpfull / has progressive linkage already from the factory / timing control already from the factory / port injection sequential / ecu NOT built in to the unit can be mounted were you want it / uses blue tooth to talk to a phone or tablet . and for sbc with vortec heads its under $1900 bucks with the intake .

if i add up my prices here it is sofar .
edelbrock rpm vortec intake 7116 = 265.00
holley sniper unit = 999.95
intake gasket set good gaskets felpro = 40 bucks
msd ready to run dist NOT for sniper control = 350.00
coil for ignition msd blaster 2 & bracket mount = 55.00
new coolant temp sensor for there known defective item they sell you = 20.00
make my own throttle arm spacer 1 hr or buy one and wit 3-5 days @ = 20.00
progressive link kit = 15.00 and hope it helps maybe .
there included throttle cable bracket sucks . no way to keep it from spinning on ( 1 ) mounting bolt ha ha ha .
i am sure there is stuff i am missing here .

grand total in just this list is $1750ish with out other extras .

edelbrock pro-flo4 35780 kit for vortec head engines = $1795.95
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Here's my experience with the Sniper and Holley Tech support
  1. Replaced CTS due to the 10-15F difference.
  2. Added throttle lever extension (interesting note, I ended up doing the same thing on the Demon carb I just put on the 73 C10)
  3. After about 1500 miles and 18 months it started reading 30+ on the AFR
    1. Called Holley Tech and after about 10 minutes on hold and 5 minutes talking to a tech, it was determined I had a failed ECU
    2. My unit was out of warranty but they still replaced the ECU and sent me a new O2 sensor (about $100 new), took about 3 weeks
  4. The repaired throttle body had a fuel leak. Called Holley Tech again and they sent me a new throttle body.
  5. New unit is working great so far. I can also see big improvements with the software.
So I've kinda had the opposite experience with the tech support, but I'm not relying on the forums; just calling Holley Tech directly. The positive is they fixed my unit out of warranty and even thru in the new O2 sensor. The negative is between fixing the failed ECU and then having the leak in the repaired throttle body, I ended up about 4 to 5 weeks without the crew cab.

I did try the progressive linkage, but for my application the original 1:1 works WAY better. I have a factory 85 454.

Up until the ECU failure, the Sniper worked great and I didn't tinker with the settings; I just let it do it's own self tuning. I do have the Sniper doing timing control so I have set the starting, idle, cruise, and WOT timing. I also played around with the idle set point some.

With the new throttle body I thought I would try changing Holley's target AFR settings, but I actually made it worse. The idle was rougher, but if I put the target AFR back where they had it, it idles much smoother.

Here's my investment:
Holley Sniper EFI: $935
Weiand intake 8122WND for peanut port heads: $231 (but I question if you need an aftermarket intake as long as you already have a 4bbl intake)
Holley Dual Sync distributor: $405
Harness adapter plug: $24
CTS: $20
$1615

Holley now makes a distributor specifically for the Sniper that is about $240 https://www.holley.com/products/fue.../sniper_efi/hyperspark_ignition/parts/565-300 Wish it had been available when I got the dual sync.

When I installed the 4L80e, I did learn that you can't split the TPS signal between the Sniper and transmission controller. So if you plan to run an electronic transmission with a Sniper, you have to plan on installing a second TPS. If the Pro-Flo will allow the TPS signal to be split, that would be a huge bonus. Also some of the higher end Holley EFI kits include control functions for a 4l60 or 4l80 so you wouldn't even need a separate trans controller - but those are more expensive than the Pro-Flo.

This Sniper route worked easier for me because I was able to spread out the costs. I would have a hard time putting together $1800 in one chunk. I had the intake purchased several months before I knew I was running the Sniper EFI. The Holley distributor came a few months after I ran the Sniper without timing control. To be honest, I didn't notice a huge difference in how it ran with and without timing control. I've debated some about putting a Sniper on my 66 or 73, and if I ever do, I don't think I'll set up the timing control. But then in that case I might be money ahead to just get the entry level FiTech that won't do timing control.
 
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