Sniper back to a Carb

[elwaupo]

I installed a Holley Sniper in 2018 and have had nothing but problems with it. I’m thinking of going back to an Edelbrock Carb as I had one on before and never had any issues with it. My question is that I just installed a new in-tank fuel pump that I know would flow too much gph. Walbro makes fuel pumps for this install but I didn’t find the specific one I need, if I go back to a mechanical fuel pump can I leave the electric fuel pump in as it’s a bear to remove the fuel tank, buy all new hardware and reinstall in a 1969 Camaro

[dontlifttoshift]

You don't have to change the pump. GPH is horsepower related and that isn't changing. You just need a quality bypass regulator set for carburetor pressures and a return line.

[elwaupo]

This fuel pump is rated at 67 gph, isn’t that too much? I know I’d have to run a fuel pressure regulator with a return, that would be the easiest option

[68Formula]

The Sniper was probably running ~60psi, and you'll need to regulate it down to 5.5psi for the Edelbrock. That means the pump flow will go up significantly from what it was intended for. Definitely check with a fuel gage between the return to make sure that much return flow isn't causing an increase in system pressure at idle. The regulator and/or return line size may not be setup for that high of flow to regulate.

[elwaupo]

I could always run my mechanical fuel pump, could I just leave that expensive electric fuel pump in without it obstructing the flow? That thing was a lot of work to install

[dontlifttoshift]

Don't do that, you will have a bad time.

I have done at least 10 carbs with 255s in the tank and a quality bypass regulator from Aeromotive or Holley. It will work perfect.

[elwaupo]

I contacted Holley, I’m going to give them one more try. I’m to ship it back to them, I’ll see what happens from them and keep this posted. I’m still going to keep my Edelbrock ready and buy a good fuel pressure regulator as my back up

[elwaupo]

Ok, I received my Sniper back from Holley today. I’m going to take my time reinstalling back on to make sure everything is in order. Anybody have any advice on tips for it to work properly? I will say that it always sounded like it was sucking a lot of air, more than usual. I saw on Facebook where a guy recommended installing a carborater plate to separate all for ports for no vacumn leaks from the rear ports.

[dhutton]

Did you use their recommended small orifice PCV valve? You have a big vacuum leak otherwise.

[Jk918]

What intake are you running, they seam to run best on single plane vs dual planes, people typically run single open spacer on dual planes.. also shielding the wires that are close to distributor or plug wires.

[elwaupo]

To answer the previous 2 postings, I’m running a single plane intake and a stock PVC, didn’t know anything about PVC but it makes sense.
Now for the Sniper issue, sent it off to Holley and as usual I had it back within 2-3 weeks, looked exactly like I sent it off. No paper work on work that was done so I emailed them and got a response stating that they couldn’t find anything wrong so they “re-flashed” it. I reinstalled it, same problem, doesn’t start and the screen will go dead. I’m going to keep working on this Sniper to see if I missed anything.
I’m seriously thinking of just going back to my Edelbrock carborater as I never had any problems with that for years. I do like the throttle response I got out of the EFI and efficiency WHEN IT WORKED!
Anybody have any opinions on the Edelbrock Pro-Flo 4? Holley does offer a Sniper 2 conversion but I’m scepticle about going back to the same problems I’ve had with those.

[dhutton]

Try the correct recommended PCV valve.

[elwaupo]

With all the frustration I’ve had with the Sniper I decided just to go back to my Edelbrock Carborator, at least for now. I think if you really want to go with EFI the best route is to go with a factory LS running gear as it was designed from engineers to work properly. Installing aftermarket EFI on a motor that never had it is just to complicated and full of bugs you have to constantly chase. Yes you can spend 2,000, 3,000, 4,000 and up on an aftermarket EFI system or buy a used factory LS motor with the ecm and harness and I hear it’s a 3 wire hookup. LS motors can produce much more hp and run so much smoother then the good old trusty SBC, doesn’t seem to get any better then that.

[BK2LIFE]

Carborator, at least for now. .

holley has the version 2 sniper now

maybe holley will credit you and put that towards a new unit.



at the shop we do about 10-20 sinper installs each year

ha a few issues that needed replacements.

But, no matter what, i do harp on the fact you cant beat factory efi. Proven for millions of miles.

to properly prep a sbc for injection, you need more than a 'bolt on' injection system.