65GS.com - Buick Gran Sport Enthusiasts!
General Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: sjfd04 on March 30, 2018, 05:10:55 PM
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Well, finally decided to step up and change over to an EFI system. With a lot of research, I made the choice to go with the Holley Sniper EFI. I have also decided to go with a new EFI fuel tank, my tank is original and probably a good idea to replace it. The new tank will have the pump in it and make the install easier and cleaner. I ordered a custom 3/8 inch fuel line from The Right Stuff to replace the original 5/16 inch. I will need to run a return line and have not figured that out yet.
I will take photos as I go and pass along any info that might be of help if anyone else decides to install the same system.
Before I started to remove any parts, I installed a set of new Holley analog gauges in the empty space above the radio. These gauges will interface with the Holley ECU. The ECU will also control the electric fan on/off temps.
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I will be following along with great interest!
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This guy has a system on his Riv, I think:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2013547612217437&set=g.6864028574&type=1&theater&ifg=1 (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2013547612217437&set=g.6864028574&type=1&theater&ifg=1)
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Well, finally decided to step up and change over to an EFI system. With a lot of research, I made the choice to go with the Holley Sniper EFI. I have also decided to go with a new EFI fuel tank, my tank is original and probably a good idea to replace it. The new tank will have the pump in it and make the install easier and cleaner. I ordered a custom 3/8 inch fuel line from The Right Stuff to replace the original 5/16 inch. I will need to run a return line and have not figured that out yet.
I will take photos as I go and pass along any info that might be of help if anyone else decides to install the same system.
Before I started to remove any parts, I installed a set of new Holley analog gauges in the empty space above the radio. These gauges will interface with the Holley ECU. The ECU will also control the electric fan on/off temps.
Can you leave the factory 5/16" feed line and run the new 3/8" line along side of it? The original fuel line should make a good return line. :idea1:
Jerry
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Yes, that was the plan. Reading instructions and they want you to use a 3/8 inch return. I plan to call them and ask. Thanks for the heads up.
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What fuel pressure does the EFI require?
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I'm thinking I saw 58 psi somewhere in the instructions. I will double check.
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Here's what I used on my LS conversion. It's a filter and pressure regulator combo (58 psi) used on Corvettes. It mounts by the tank and returns excess fuel directly to the tank. Not sure it it will work in your application but it eliminated the requirement for a return line for me.
I'll for sure be following your install, I'd like to use the system on a BBC.
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speedway-GM-LS-V8-Fuel-Filter-Fuel-Regulator-Kit-58-PSI,41791.html (https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speedway-GM-LS-V8-Fuel-Filter-Fuel-Regulator-Kit-58-PSI,41791.html)
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you can tune it to a much lower than 58psi fuel pressure im sure..i run static 38 psi on my t type
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Dear Tom, Jim, Jerry, Kevin, Bobby, and mid-60s Buick owners with a taste for high-tech,
Well, finally decided to step up and change over to an EFI system.
. . . .
Good for you! (and your car!) :hello2:
Before I started to remove any parts, I installed a set of new Holley analog gauges in the empty space above the radio.
Nice job with setting up the gauges in that spot! If you don't want air conditioning (or go with an under-dash unit) that a great use of that space!
I'm thinking I saw 58 psi somewhere in the instructions. I will double check.
As the rest of the guys have said, it is most likely lower. I believe that FAST and Holley are using the same ECU and other components.
Thanks for taking the time to document your conversion for us! (http://www.canebas.org/WeatherCat/Forum_support_documents/Custom_emoticons/thanks_sign.gif)
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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A must when and if anyone decides to go with the EFI system, go with the heat shield type base gasket. Look at mine when I pulled it off, in time, you will destroy the EFI base.
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Today I started the install, located and drilled for the O2 sensor. Fabricated some clips and secured electrical leads to the top of bell housing and transmission. I decided to locate sensor on the passenger side exhaust pipe, it was easier than working around the clutch linkage. Not sure what needs to be done with the heat riser valve, if anything. Throttle body is in place with heat shield, linkage was pretty easy. Supplied fittings worked perfect, just needed to adjust the linkage arm. Working out location for the relays and needed wiring.
Spent the rest of the day installing gauges in the dash. This required that the dash pad, glove box and dash bezel be removed. Easy but time consuming.
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You can run a 1/8" pipe tap down into the two holes in the top of the intake, then put pipe plugs in them to stop the exhaust flow to the base of the carb. The exhaust will still heat up the intake, but no so much the carb base (or in your instance the EFI base).
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Thanks Brian, I will do that.
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It will work the best if you can find some 1/8" pipe plugs with the recessed allen head in them. The ones with a square on them are hard to install since the head will be down in the hole below the surface.
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Buick made blank intake gaskets that blocked heat covers have pair in garage but would like to keep but can give you pt nos if you want
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It will work the best if you can find some 1/8" pipe plugs with the recessed allen head in them. The ones with a square on them are hard to install since the head will be down in the hole below the surface.
----> Da plugs... (https://www.mscdirect.com/browse/tnpla/83295501?cid=ppc-google-New+-+Hose%2C+Tube%2C+Fittings+%26+Valves+-+PLA_sCWLU40zC___164110844610_c_S&mkwid=sCWLU40zC|dc&pcrid=164110844610&rd=k&product_id=83295501&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxJ_U26Ot2gIV1brACh0_Yg2hEAQYAyABEgILe_D_BwE)
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EFI update
System is in and running, it will take a while for the ECU to learn the configuration. So far, I'm pretty happy, just have to work through some small details and secure wires and hoses. I did have an issue with the engine stalling so I called Holley. The tech had me download the program from the ECU to my computer via the SD card. I then e-mailed so he could figure out the problem, an hour later it was e-mailed back to me with some changes. I then copied to the card and downloaded back to the ECU, all fixed.
Overall, the system was pretty straight forward to install. It was the things that I chose to do that made it a little more difficult. I ended up using the stock 5/16 fuel line as the return and ran a new 3/8 line on the passenger side, that was very difficult. The tank took a little time to install, had to measure and cut lines for the pump and fuel gauge. All the lines at the tank had to be connected before I raised the tank into position. If I had someone to help, that would have made it a lot easier for sure.
What I have noticed so far:
Engine starts right up, cold or hot
I don't smell fuel
Idles smoother
Electric fan works sweet. I set the on/off temps and it is right on
;
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Fantastic. ! Looks right at home in there.
You mention ‘Electric fan works sweet’, is that an auxiliary pusher fan in front of the radiator ? Did it come with the kit ? Please help me understand ? LOL
Dan
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I installed a Be Cool aluminum radiator, removed the clutch fan and used their puller fan that sits inside the shroud.
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Ah. Now I understand. Does Be Cool also sell a fan shroud for the radiator ?
Dan
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Dear Tom, Dan, and mid-60s Buick owners with an interest in high-tech,
Thanks for sharing! I'm definitely developing an interest in the Holley Sniper system. The FAST XFI Sportsman in my wagon is really cluttering up the engine bay. Worst still it is so tall that there barely enough space for the air cleaner. I assume that you don't have the Sniper controlling your ignition - correct? The truck that I photographed at Orinda Motors has the Sniper even controlling that. I have plenty of other things to take care of first. I hope FAST will get off their laurels and introduce some new and more compact products to keep up with their competition. At the moment though, Holley and FiTech have FAST beat by a mile!
Thanks again!
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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Great looking engine and engine bay! Looks like a very nicely packaged system.
:cheers2:
Chuck
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You are correct, distributor is not controlled by the ECU.
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That looks great! Does anyone know someone who tried the MSD Atomic EFI?
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Dear Tom and mid-60s Buick caregivers who dabble in high-tech automotive goodies,
I was looking for photos of your car when I revisited this thread . . . .
Well, finally decided to step up and change over to an EFI system. With a lot of research, I made the choice to go with the Holley Sniper EFI.
. . . . .
Biquette's EFI system may be developing some "issuez,"so it is an opportune time to ask. However, that you have driven your car for some years with the Holley Sniper, are you still as happy with it as you were when you first installed it? Any lessons from using it all this time?
A curious mind would like to know! :idea1:
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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System is operating perfect. Did have a couple of small problems but Holley's tech service helped me out. Just had to reset or restart the computer and let it learn the car again. Other issue that many people don't realize is when we keep adding current draw to the electrical system, we need to increase the output of the alternator. I have an electric fan that has a huge draw and it kept blowing fuses. I went with a bigger alternator and all is good.
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Dear Tom and mid-60s Buick caregivers,
System is operating perfect. Did have a couple of small problems but Holley's tech service helped me out.
. . . . .
Thanks for the feedback! :thumbsup: It is definitely nice to hear that Holley system has worked out well for you, because I've also been interested in it. It also great to know that the venerable Buick Nailhead is perfectly capable of operating on an EFI system if that suits your fancy!
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14: