Holley Sniper or Terminator X Stealth: A Buyer's Guide

Posted by Chris Myer 01/28/21 10 Comment(s) Sniper and Terminator X,

Sniper or Terminator X Stealth?

Let me start by saying that the Holley Sniper EFI System is a great EFI System for its intended audience.  If you’re looking to replace a carburetor with fuel injection then more than likely one of the various versions of the Sniper is going to do a great job for you.  Not just that, but it is going to excel in areas that beat the competition hands-down.  The 3.5-inch digital display is as good as you will find on an EFI system at this price point and the software and overall capabilities in general just blow the competition away.

But now you can buy Holley’s Terminator X Stealth system for about $400-$500 [now $600 --cpm] more, depending on the options of the Sniper and Terminator X Stealth that you are comparing.  That’s a decent chunk of change—and roughly 50% more than the Sniper’s base price.  So you have to ask yourself, “Does the Terminator X Stealth offer features that make it a better value to me than the Sniper?”  Well, let’s dig into that a bit.

[UPDATE Fall 2023: Since originally writing this article, much has changed in Holley's corner of the EFI world, including the introduction of the new Sniper 2 EFI System and the Sniper Transmission Controller for both Sniper and Sniper 2 EFI Systems. Rather than completely re-writing the article, I'll interject some clarifying comments in [square brackets --cpm].

Background

Since selling our first Sniper EFI System back in April of 2016 (wow does time fly!) we have been pushing the boundaries on what this system could do.  And there is no doubt that it is impressive.  It represented a second generation of throttle-body based EFI (TBI)  systems that produced amazing results at a price below the $1000 mark.  Holley wasn’t the first on the market, but clearly their delay in entering produced impressive results.  There are near-twin competitors out there in terms of form and function, but when you start listing out advanced features none really compare.  Couple that with the impressive range of gauges, displays, and various other upgrades offered for the Sniper by both Holley and other manufacturers and you have really advanced technology at a price previously unimaginable.

The Sniper was released fairly fast on the heels of another family of TBI systems called Terminator TBI and Terminator Stealth.  (Don’t let the lack of an ‘X’ in the last sentence slip past you.  These predated the Terminator X systems by years—we’ll get to that soon enough.)  The Terminator was likewise amazing and did capture some market share.  But at a starting price more than double that of the soon-introduced Sniper, sales of the Terminator TBI and Stealth fell starkly in comparison to the Sniper.  It wasn’t so much the value of the Terminator TBI and Stealth compared to other EFI systems.  It was the tendency to compare prices with the Sniper side-by-side.

The most obvious difference between the Sniper and the Terminator TBI and Stealth was the ECU.  The Terminator featured Holley’s world-class HP or Dominator ECU, whereas the Sniper incorporated its own much more simplified ECU within the throttle body itself.  The price difference in the systems is simply a reflection of the cost of the ECU.

Moving Forward

So more recently Holley introduced two new ECU’s:  Terminator X and Terminator X Max.  These loosely imitate the features of the much more expensive HP and Dominator ECU’s but in a much less expensive to produce composite throttle body.  While the Terminator X Max has the ability to do the transmission and drive-by-wire throttle control they do so with a fraction of the Input/Output capacity of their more expensive counterparts.   Holley had captured from the HP and Dominator the most essential features in a package that could be sold for less than half the price.

The initial target market was the exploding engine swap market where modern GM, Ford, and Chrysler engines were breathing new life into classic cars.  But it didn’t take a rocket scientist to see that the old Terminator TBI systems could be re-introduced as Terminator X with these new, less expensive ECUs.

So beginning in May of 2020, customers were presented with the dilemma we posed at the start of this article, “Does the Terminator X Stealth offer features that make it a better value to me than the Sniper?”  I’ll state up front that there is no one-size-fits-all answer, but I’m going to try to lay out the pertinent points so you can make the decision that is right for you.  Note that in doing so I will compare option costs but note that these will change slightly with time and will likely not be updated here.  They should still be accurate enough to give you a picture of what system is best for your application.

Key Differences

Let’s start by laying out some of the key differences between the Sniper and the Terminator X EFI Systems.  Since the different features will have differing levels of value to each user, I’ve just listed them here in alphabetical order:

Cab-mounted ECU – The Sniper’s ECU is inside the throttle body itself, while the Terminator X ECU is mounted remotely, most commonly inside the vehicle.  Each has its benefit.  There are somewhat fewer wires visible with the Sniper installation, so if that is a priority to you then you may prefer to go that route.  However, by mounting the Terminator X ECU remotely, you spare it from the harmful effects of under-hood radio-frequency and electro-magnetic interference.  How big a deal is this?  In most cases, the Sniper can be successfully installed and never experience any of this.  In others it makes the installer’s life a living hell.  And you really don’t know what you will have until you install it.  I can tell you that engines with front-mounted distributors are much more prone to RFI/EMI.

CAN Bus Sensors – In both cases the ECUs monitor a set of sensors and then transmit this data over the CAN Bus to the displays, gauges, and laptops.  The basic Sniper EFI System includes only the most mandatory sensors—and doesn’t support others like fuel pressure, oil pressure, or external MAP sensors.  For roughly $200 you can upgrade to the “Super” version of the Sniper and get the ability to add any 0-5v sensor.  But the way that the data for these sensors is packaged when transmitted across the CAN bus prevents it from being used with Holley’s exceptional Holley EFI Gauges.  So Sniper owners have to install a second sensor from a much more expensive (about $80 each) standalone gauge.  

Terminator X Stealth EFI Systems come with a fuel pressure and MAP sensor connector already wired into the main harness. And since the ECU has a port for the oil pressure sensor, one need only wire that in.  Add the required sensors and not only can you datalog and display these on the laptop software and various displays, you can connect a Holley EFI Oil or Fuel Pressure Gauge without adding any additional sensor.

Customizable Software Inputs – Ok, I’m going to have to get back to you on why this is a benefit.  No experience here.  But Terminator X gives you 20 and Sniper gives you none.  For whatever that’s worth.

Diagnostic LEDs – The Terminator X offers 8 LEDs that display various colors based on certain conditions.  Based on my limited experience at this point, I’m not seeing anything here that you couldn’t find nearly as well (or better) from the handheld display.  But flashy lights are cool!

Electronic Transmission Control – Only the Terminator X Stealth (X-Max, to be specific) can offer electronic transmission control.  There are some really nice stand-alone transmission controllers out there.  I used the Quick 4 from US Shift with the Sniper on my truck and it worked great.  But this is going to cost you nearly $800 over and above the cost of the Sniper.  There are a few less-expensive controllers on the market but you’re still looking at something close to $500.  And it’s another thing to install and another thing to figure out and another display to watch and another thing to maintain.  Or you get the transmission control version of the Terminator X Stealth for $400 and you’re done with it.

Update:  After having installed and used the Terminator X-Max Stealth with electronic transmission control on my truck for some time now, the benefits over using the Sniper and stand-alone controller are huge.  Starting with the fact that now I can monitor fuel economy in real time.  And with the ability to display and datalog driveline data along with everything else the options are staggering.  And tune the shifting based not only on TPS but also load.  These benefits actually turn the proposition on its head a bit.  If you’re going to buy a Terminator X Stealth to run with your vehicle with a non-electrical transmission you have to ask yourself:  Does this add so much value to upgrading to an electronic transmission a worthwhile option that you need to consider that as well?

[Update Fall 2023: Now transmission control is available to both Sniper and Sniper 2 users in the form of this new Sniper Transmission Control Kit.  At this time of this writing, you can add transmission control to your Sniper for about $800.]

Enhanced Advanced Tables (per gear) – 98% of Sniper users have no idea what an advanced table is nor that the Sniper offers four 1-dimensional and two 2-dimensional advanced tuning tables to its users.  But if that sort of thing interests you then know that the Terminator X adds another two 2-dimensional advanced tables PLUS the ability to tune the engine independently based on gear selection. Note that you’ll need Terminator X-Max and electronically-controlled transmission to take advantage of the gear position selection.

Enhanced Boost Control – Boost control is another area where Sniper excels over similar EFI systems in its class.  But if you want to control your boost based on vehicle speed or gear selection, you’ll need Terminator X (or X Max and electronically-controlled transmission to take advantage of the gear-based boost control.)

Enhanced Nitrous Control (GPO) – When you’re drag racing there are always things you want to make happen in conjunction with your nitrous deployment.  Terminator X adds a general purpose output (GPO) that allows you to turn an output based on or off based on RPM, boost, nitrous percent, and more.  Very handy—and not found in Sniper.

Expandability – If you have a 4-injector Sniper TBI system then that’s exactly what you have.  Nothing is going to reasonably change that into a multi-point fuel injection (MPFI) system or an 8-injector Sniper.  But if you have the Terminator X Stealth, you could shelve the throttle body, add the appropriate harnesses, and make this into any of the different MPFI systems that one could build using that ECU.  If you wanted to go to an 8-injector version, or if you wanted to go up to a Stealth 4500 TBI system, you could do that as well.  None of this is to say that would be a cost effective route but things happen and sometimes you’re left with pieces of a system.  With a self-standing ECU, you have options.

Ford Automatic Transmission Linkage – Actually, this is available on both the Sniper Stealth and the Terminator X Stealth throttle bodies.  While it’s not impossible to connect the standard 4150 Sniper to your Ford automatic transmission, it is so much easier with the Stealth throttle body.

Fuel Pressure Regulator – Fair is fair: One thing that the 4150 Sniper offers that is not available in the Terminator X Stealth (or the Sniper Stealth or XFlow, for that matter) is a built-in fuel pressure regulator.  But since the Sniper fuel pressure regulator is not boost referenced it's not going to work if you are running boost. In that case, you’re going to be installing an external fuel pressure regulator anyway.

Inputs/Outputs – This could have a huge impact on your decision.  The Standard Sniper only offers two ground-type inputs and three ground-type outputs, plus three 0-5v sensor inputs if you spend the extra $200+ for the Super Sniper.  And that is all that many folks will ever need.  And while Terminator X offers four inputs and four outputs, it's not the quantity alone that is the big deal but the types.  You can connect the Terminator X to 12-volt, ground, 5-volt sensor, and frequency inputs.  That means you can connect to a flex fuel sensor and customize your tune based on percentage of ethanol in your fuel stream.  There are no flex fuel sensor options for Sniper users at this time.

Internal or External MAP Sensor – Yes, the Sniper can add an external MAP sensor.  And the Sniper’s internal MAP sensor is 2.5-bar compared to the Terminator X’s more meager 1-bar sensor.  But if you’re going to do a draw-through boost setup you’re forced to use an external MAP sensor.  On the Sniper that’s going to add at least $200 to the price tag to upgrade to the Super Sniper.  The Terminator X not only has a MAP sensor input on the ECU but provides a pre-wired connector for an external MAP sensor.  Too easy.

Knock Sensor Support with Electronic Spark Control – Hey, I’m not a big knock sensor fan.  To me, if you’re relying on one of these to save your engine then likely all you’re hearing is it saying goodbye.  But if you want one you’re going to have to go with the Terminator X.

Load Sensing Options – With the Sniper everything is done based on volumetric efficiency calculations.  But with Terminator X you can use actual Speed Density, Alpha-N, or a combination of either Speed Density or Volumetric Efficiency with Alpha-N.  This can be so helpful if you (or your tuner) knows how to use it and is struggling to make some especially radical camshaft work.

Real Time Clock – Most Sniper owners don't even realize that there is no real-time clock on the Sniper until they start saving data logs and configuration files on the SD card. Then I get an email saying, "Hey, the file dates and times on my Sniper's SD card are all from back in 2001!" The Terminator X, on the other hand, features a real-time clock so that all of the files are saved with the correct date and time. This is so convenient. Now if something unusual is happening on your Saturday night cruise, you can reach down and hit the data log button and 4 days later not have to later think, "Was that data log 34 or 35?" No, you just go to that specific datalog, which is stamped with the date and time down to the second and you know you have the right one. Same for configuration files.

Staging Assist – Would you benefit from the ability to creep your car into the staging beams using a transbrake and a pair of buttons?  Then you better get Terminator X because Sniper can’t do this without buying an external box (costing you an extra $200+).

Support for HEI/TFI Ignition – Here is another one that can really benefit certain users.  Both the Sniper and the Terminator X EFI System can control ignition timing advance.  Generally speaking, this is going to require you to buy a HyperSpark distributor to do this.  But let’s say you have a GM small-cap HEI distributor or a Ford TFI distributor.  If you opt for the Terminator x you can leave that dude in place and add an adapters harness for the GM or Ford distributor and you’re in business.  That saves you the difference between the cost of the HyperSpark distributor and the adapter harness (between $150 and $200.)

Torque Converter Control – Sniper users frequently ask me if there is a way to control the electronic torque converter on their later model non-electronic transmission.  Um, sort of.  You can add nitrous control and sort of back-door it.  But this is a standard feature on Terminator X.  No back-dooring required.

Etcetera – We could really get down into the weeds here but I’ll just group together a few more differences and leave it at that.  Terminator X provides a significantly more advanced dwell table (16x16 versus 2x4); Sensor scaling and safeties for RPM and Speed; Scramble boost feature.

Scenarios

So what does all of this mean to you?  Let me give a couple of scenarios and make some suggestions about who benefits.

Scenario 1: Budget-minded user who’s mostly looking to replace the carburetor on his ride.

Too easy— Sniper 2.  In fact, I encourage folks who have no plans to make over 300 HP to go with the exceptional Sniper 2300 2-barrel and save another $100 or so.  This is going to do everything you want.

Scenario 2: Show-minded classic owner who doesn’t want his engine compartment looking fuel injected or overly wired.  Rear-mounted distributor

In this case, Sniper Stealth.  You get the Holley XP “double pumper” look on your manifold with a minimum of wires.  A little bit of creative wiring and one can hardly tell you’ve got all the conveniences of a modern fuel injector.

Scenario 3: Like Scenario 2 but front-mounted distributor.

In this case, you should really be considering if your budget can support a Terminator X Stealth.  Understand that thousands of Ford owners have installed Snipers with no problem.  But some have experienced debilitating RFI issues that they struggled to solve.  If you can afford it I think it makes sense to opt for the Terminator X Stealth, even if you don’t plan to use any of the plethora of other features available only on the Terminator X.

Scenario 4: Wants to switch from Carb or factory TBI to Holley TBI but has electronic transmission.

This used to be an easy decision—Terminator X Max Stealth with Transmission control.  Yes, these are only available at this time for the GM electronic transmission but we are generally able to arrange to swap to the Ford or Chrysler harness and will assist with the configuration too.

But now we can offer the Sniper 2 EFI System with the Sniper Transmission Control.  Availability (at this writing) is much better and you save a few $$.  Use the Personalized EFI System Recommendation form (link at bottom of this page) to get a customized recommendation from our technical staff on what is right for you.

Scenario 5: Power user.  Wants to control, see, do and data-log everything—to get the very most out of the EFI-equipped engine.

Again, Terminator X Stealth.  Holley made some very strategic omissions to get the price of the Sniper to such an affordable level while supporting just about everything the average user could want.  But sacrifices had to be made.  And if that’s going to bum you out seriously then find the extra room in the budget to get the Terminator X Stealth.

Scenario 6: Draw-through Supercharger application.

This one depends.  While I expect a twin Terminator X Stealth to be available soon [Update: Now is is--see here! --cpm] there is not one at this point, meaning that the Super Sniper 2x4 is going to be the way to go if you need two throttle bodies.  If this is you then you might check to see if a twin Terminator X Stealth has been released or consider our Twin Terminator. [Update: Sorry, discontinued! --cpm]  Beyond that, you also need to consider HP.  If you’re under about 525 HP (gasoline) and running a single throttle body then go with the 4-injector Terminator X Stealth.  Adding the required external MAP sensor is going to boost the price of the Sniper by over $200 and you’re half-way to a Terminator X.  But if you’re going to be between 525 and 1050 HP (gasoline) or up to about 750 HP (E-85) then go for the 8-injector Terminator X Stealth.  

Scenario 7: Serious Drag Racer

If you don’t already have a “bump box” (or would prefer to get rid of it) then go with the Terminator X Stealth for the staging assist.  You may use the per-gear advanced table features.  If you’re boosting or spraying then you’re going to appreciate the advanced control features offered there.  Go with the 8-injector if you’re making over 500 HP or using E-85.  If you’re making over 700 HP NA then go with the Terminator X Stealth 4500.

Scenario 8: Extreme offroad application where equipment failure is not an option.

Not a trick question but a trick answer:  Instead of Terminator X go with Terminator TBI or Terminator Stealth.  These use the more robust HP and Dominator ECUs.  Yes, much more expensive.  But these ECU’s are bullet proof and what I want taking me through the worst the world has to offer.  [Update: Sorry, Holley discontinued the Terminator TBI and Stealth EFI Systems.  If this is you then contact us and we can make other suggestions.  --cpm]

Conclusion

So you see that there is no one right answer on which EFI system is right for all cars and their owners. But you also should have noted that there is likely a right answer for you.  EFI System Pro specializes in helping those with interest in EFI find exactly the system that is best for their application and to provide them with everything they need to be a success while installing it--usually right down to the last hose clamp. Contact us now if you're interested in finding the right system for your application. Or join in the conversation below. We'd love to hear your insights!

10 Comment(s)

Bruce:
01/29/21, 08:40:22 PM
Reply

I hate to ask but what do you think about edelbrock pro flow 4? I know you support Holley. I’ve been researching efi for the last two years and I’m torn. I almost bought the terminator X stealth but someone told me about edelbrock pro flow 4 and now I’m leaning that way. I have seen this advertised for about $1800.00 on SummitRacing. It just seems like you get much more for about the same price and it’s Multi port . Again I’m torn. Thanks again for your time.

Chris Myer:
02/2/21, 06:33:27 PM

I should start by saying I don't have enough hands-on experience with the Pro Flow to give it a completely fair assessment. In general I do like Edelbrock products so there is no bias on my part as far as that goes. But in the digging I do I just don't see the Edelbrock EFI product providing the same depth of capability as the Terminator X--and certainly not the HP/Dominator ECU. Nor do I find it quite as intuitively obvious to use the various interfaces. Neither of which make it a bad product. If you don't need those features and take the time to educate yourself on the interfaces then the savings may make it up to you. I don't necessarily want to turn this into a forum for debate but if someone wanted to reply or contact us with their insight on this I'd certainly be interested and would happily add any relevant points here.

Col (Rev):
01/29/21, 11:04:16 PM
Reply

Well done. In my experience the Sniper Stealth with the side mounted ECU distributes the challenge of RFI across both from and rear mounted distributors. I have replaced mine with Terminator Stealth X.

Chris Myer:
02/2/21, 06:38:55 PM

Hard to argue with direct comparison of a user experienced in both systems. Thanks for the insight.

Tim Nessler:
01/30/21, 01:52:50 PM, FB
Reply

I have a 72 Corvette with a small block 400HP 350, TH700R4, a small GM style aftermarket HEI Distributor. I'm going to stay NA. I'm looking to install a TBI EFI. My nickname is "Sparky" and I got it from my ability to catch things electrical on fire. So, I need an EFI system that is as close to idiot proof as possible. What would you recommend? Money is not an issue.

Chris Myer:
02/2/21, 06:11:08 PM

I'm going to say go with the Terminator X Stealth. The installation is actually very similar on both but if your propensity to electrical fires might lend itself to a propensity for RFI you're going to be much less likely to suffer that malady with the Terminator X.

Paul VanMeter:
01/31/21, 09:14:46 PM
Reply

Great article. Timely to my question I posed to you about my 69 Corvette, 427 4-speed. This car is numbers matching and pretty original. I’ve got all of the power I could want in a light 52 year old car. All of my gauges work surprisingly.

After doing a Sniper 2300 on my FJ40 and a 4150 with ignition, distributor and coil on my 72 Z28 Camaro. I’m getting comfortable with it. Feel I could do a Sniper Stealth and you’d have to be looking to find it.

The Corvette has MSD ignition and distributor. Have to verify models. I’d want to keep it looking as stock as possible. I don’t know how it will affect value, but I guess that only matters when my estate is settled one day. Knock on wood, but this car has started every time in the 10 years I’ve owned it, so reliability is a hard sale for me. Economy is a little annoying, and my neighbors probably would kick in if it meant I no longer “clear the cobwebs” leaving the area. Oh, headers and side pipes.

Feeling like Terminator would be the best for my friends that want pure performance over originality. Probably still Sniper 4150 or Stealth for me. Am I reading that right?

Having you guys on the install made it so much easier. Greatly appreciate the help.

Chris Myer:
02/2/21, 06:19:38 PM

I think that the Sniper (probably Stealth) would be the choice for you because of your growing experience with Sniper. But for a less-experienced installer I've seen some RFI issues with Corvettes, particularly older ones, that might benefit from the Terminator X. Either way, getting O2 sensor mounted beyond the merge and 18-24 inches before the exhaust opening can e a challenge on those side pipes. But I'm confident you're up to it. :-)

Erik williams:
02/10/21, 09:51:15 AM
Reply

Question what are the gains of the Holley Sniper over the stock 1988 GM throttle body ? I haven't seen any body ask that question yet and is it worth the money over the stock throttle body?

Chris Myer:
02/16/21, 10:37:21 AM

Much like the question this article answers, the answer to your question depends on many factors that will vary based on the user and the application. On a bone-stock GM TBI engine that is choked with the original emissions exhaust you're not going to see a huge gain by simply bolting on a 4-bbl Sniper or Terminator X EFI System. In fact, it sometimes surprises folks when I say to someone in this situation who never intends to make much more than the original 180-200 HP to opt for the 2-BBL Sniper EFI System instead.

But if you've made or plan to make any performance upgrades to your TBI engine then those are going to be wasted unless you do something about the intake airflow and fuel delivery. At that point the value of a tunable EFI system really comes on.

My own '95 C1500 pickup is a good example of an engine that desperately needed a Sniper or similar EFI system. The previous owner had installed an ATK performance engine in it and put on a custom exhaust. Ok, good start. Realizing that was not adequate, he went out and had a bit of porting done on the factory intake manifold, got an upgraded throttle body, and purchased/installed a custom tuned chip for the factory ECU. And it kind of worked. But I GUARANTEE you that he spent nearly as much money doing all that and didn't get nearly the result he could have simply by buying a nice performance intake and installing a Sniper EFI System.

Ricky Drill:
05/8/21, 11:24:18 PM
Reply

Is the terminator stealth x compatible with the MSD 6AL(non digital)?

Chris Myer:
05/11/21, 06:43:29 PM

Absolutely. Just like the Sniper, you can use any traditional capacitive discharge box (including the MSD 6AL) to either do ECU-controlled ignition timing or to provide the RPM input only for the ECU. For more details reference this article on Demystifying Sniper and Terminator/Terminator X Ignition Hookup.

Richard:
07/25/21, 07:10:01 AM
Reply

I am pulling a 1998 L31 Chevy Vortec 350 and installing it into a Jeep CJ7. Using the Jeep transmission for now. Maybe down the road if needed use the 4l60E from the 98 truck. I'm also upgrading the cam in the L31 to make 300- 350 hp. What EFI system do you recommend? Can I use the factory distributor and coil with the Terminator X?

Chris Myer:
08/21/21, 03:30:57 PM

I'd suggest making your choice based on how serious you are about going with the 4L transmission. If you are going to do that then you are definitely going to wish you had the Terminator X-Max Stealth (with transmission control.) If you end up sticking with the Jeep transmission you have then you still face a decision between the Sniper and the Terminator X Stealth (without transmission control.) The ignition could be a tie-breaker. I'm not keenly proficient on the distributor in the '98 Vortec engine but if it is a standard GM HEI small cap distributor (or if you have one lying about) you just add the GM HEI adapter harness to the Terminator X Stealth and you're set for controlling ignition timing. If you go with the Sniper then you're looking at adding at least a HyperSpark distributor, and at that point you're pretty close to what you would have paid for the Terminator X Stealth plus adapter harness--without all the other benefits of the Terminator X.

Headly:
11/20/21, 07:38:07 PM
Reply

I have a 505" Mopar (front distributor) 80% street / 20% strip car. 606hp (N/A) on the engine dyno. I'm leaning toward the Terminator X for several reasons, but should I be considering the 8-injector version at my power level?

I've seen testing where engines like mine did great with the regular sniper over 600hp, and I've also read that the 8-injector models of some of these systems don't work as well 'down low' for regular driving/cruising...can you offer some clarity?

Chris Myer:
11/26/21, 10:01:16 AM

Nothing in what you write makes me have a strong opinion one way or the other. Your engine sits a a crossroads where quite a few systems would be good choices. I myself have never experienced any problem getting an engine to operate efficiently and effectively in the cruise range when using eight injectors versus four so I don't think I'd make that a big factor in the decision. Instead, consider your long-term goals with the engine. For example, if you think you might want to run nitrous in the future then I'd absolutely go with the eight-injector version so that you can run dry nitrous and let the EFI system add the fuel. If you are content at 606 HP then four injectors will be fine. Remember that you can gain a little bit of cushion by increasing the fuel pressure a bit and making that change in the fuel pressure setting in your configuration.

John Newton:
02/9/22, 05:39:12 PM
Reply

The RFI issue is what finalized my Terminator X decision. I'm currently running a Chevy 350 (rear mount distributor) in a 36 Ford pickup with a Sniper/Pro Dash combination and enjoying great success. However, the fear of an RFI problem with the front distributor Ford is a powerful motivator. RFI is a "silent killer" that may never be cured. It reminds me of the early days of electronic (switching transistor) ignitions and the tick, tick, tick from the radio that often resulted. Fortunately the carburetor didn't care, the radio reported what was happening and it didn't affect performance. Obviously things are different today.

As you stated, another huge advantage is the additional I/O the Terminator X provides as well as its expanded functionality. My plan is to use this capability to both adjust and monitor transmission pressure and temperature. I'm running a Ford AOD. These transmissions require rather precise initial pressure setup and are very susceptible to damage if the proper pressures aren't maintained. Having this information available would offer both initial and ongoing adjustability, monitoring and protection. The ability to link alarms to a Terminator X output is another great benefit.

Temperature is another issue. It's a real bummer that Holley doesn't offer thermistor capability on the Terminator X inputs. Are you aware of any solutions to this issue? If not, I think I have found one. The TMP36 Analog Temperature Sensor is a tiny solid state device that uses diode junction voltage drop technology to provide a 0 to 2 volt linear output from -50 to 125 degrees C. at very low operating current levels. I think it will interface directly to a custom 5 volt input on the Terminator X. And they cost about $4.00. I have a few on order from Amazon. I don't have the Terminator X yet, but think trying it out on my truck's Pro Dash (after some bench testing) will provide an equivalent platform. A little ingenuity on the sensor mounting may be all that is necessary. I'll let you know how it goes.

Chris Myer:
02/12/22, 02:36:06 PM

Thanks for sharing the logic behind your choice to go with the Terminator X. It sounds like you've made the right choice for your setup. Let us know how that TMP36 sensor works for you!

Ben McMillan:
02/2/23, 11:32:10 PM
Reply

Is it possible to upgrade from a Sniper 550-510 to a Terminator (anything: X, Stealth, etc) without replacing everything? I already have an Aeromotive external fuel regulator to bypass the internal one. I also have the Hyperspark distributor (565-300), Hyperspark CD ignition box (556-151) and the Hyperspark coil (556-152). I even have the new Sniper-to-Hyperspark harness. Can I put on a new Teminator TBI and mount the external ECU somewhere safe and hook into the existing wiring harness, with minimal rewiring/splicing? Thanks!

Chris Myer:
02/4/23, 02:54:09 PM

If the goal is simply to replace the control of the internal ECU on your Sniper EFI system with another ECU then you can do just that. Strictly speaking, there is no need to replace the Sniper throttle body itself. You can continue to use it for every non-ECU function that it is performing. That means there is no need to replace the fuel pressure regulator. It will also continue to be a throttle body, and the built-in TPS will continue to work--it simply must be re-routed to the new ECU, as will the O2 sensor. About the only thing you can't re-use is the Sniper's built-in MAP sensor. But adding a MAP sensor is simple and inexpensive.

However, this is not what I'd classify as an "easy" swap. Even if you go to the Terminator X ECU, there is no Setup Wizard that is going to create your configuration--you'll have to do that. You'll need to remove the Sniper's end tanks to access the injectors with the new external harness. Those can be challenging to reassemble without pinching the wires. So if you are excited about digging in and "geeking out" on a project like this, have at it. But if that's not you, simply swapping out the Sniper for a Terminator X Stealth is probably the wiser choice.

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