Holley Commander 950 EFI
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 0
From: Tampa FL
Holley Commander 950 EFI
Anyone have any experience with Holley's EFI conversion for Chevy smallblocks? I'm trying to decide between a holley 750 vac, or the efi for the 383 stroker.
Naturally the price difference is huge, making me lean more towards the carb, but since the car is being built for motorcross and will be driven hard, I wonder if it will be worth the extra dough for the efi.
Any input will be welcome, even if you're not familiar with commander 950, any info on personal experiences with ANY EFI vs. carb will be appreciated.
Naturally the price difference is huge, making me lean more towards the carb, but since the car is being built for motorcross and will be driven hard, I wonder if it will be worth the extra dough for the efi.
Any input will be welcome, even if you're not familiar with commander 950, any info on personal experiences with ANY EFI vs. carb will be appreciated.
Last edited by Ron R; Mar 26, 2008 at 08:58 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 12
From: Frederick Maryland
I don't have the Holley EFI, but I do have the Edelbrock Pro-Flo EFI, which is a similar system (speed-density). This car (not a Vette), has the GM Performance 350HO. I couldn't be more happy with it and how it runs...responsive, plenty of power. I don't race the car, but if you decide to go EFI, even with it being more expensive, I don't think you'll be dissatisfied.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,431
Likes: 52
From: Florida
Anyone have any experience with Holley's EFI conversion for Chevy smallblocks? I'm trying to decide between a holley 750 vac, or the efi for the 383 stroker.
Naturally the price difference is huge, making me lean more towards the carb, but since the car is being built for motorcross and will be driven hard, I wonder if it will be worth the extra dough for the efi.
Any input will be welcome, even if you're not familiar with commander 950, any info on personal experiences with ANY EFI vs. carb will be appreciated.
Naturally the price difference is huge, making me lean more towards the carb, but since the car is being built for motorcross and will be driven hard, I wonder if it will be worth the extra dough for the efi.
Any input will be welcome, even if you're not familiar with commander 950, any info on personal experiences with ANY EFI vs. carb will be appreciated.
Jim
http://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb/sh...rch/1/#1367277
Last edited by jimvette999; Mar 27, 2008 at 03:34 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 0
From: Tampa FL
I have it and like it. I've read that they're going to release a new system in early 09 that is likely to have enhanced features. See link below for some info. I would never go back to a carb.
Jim
http://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb/sh...rch/1/#1367277
Jim
http://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb/sh...rch/1/#1367277
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 118
From: St. Charles Mo
CI 5 & 8 Veteran
I wonder if that "early 09" projection was made before or after their bankruptcy/reorganization filing? I don't mind buying the carb now and upgrading to FI later if something better is going to come out in a year, but with their reorg in process if it gets shelved (or dropped from the line, you never know once the creditors start putting dipping their hands in) I might be better off grabbing it now or looking for another brand.
I have both a Holley 950 Commander and the Accel Gen 7. Holley is a great company and has provided me with excellent support, but contrary to the referenced chevy talk thread, it is long in the tooth. I would wait for the new one next year if Holley is your preference. Meantime the others like Accel, Fast, Big Stuff, will probably meet all your needs in spades. Especially if your considering sticking with that old school carb.
Bullshark
P.S. I also have a Megasquirt. I purchased that one used just to learn all I could about it. Nice learning option, but not in the same league as Accel, Fast, etc......or even Holley for that matter
Last edited by Bullshark; Mar 27, 2008 at 04:39 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 12
From: Frederick Maryland
The Edelbrock is about $2500, or maybe slightly more depending on where you buy it. Since I got it, Edelbrock has also released an enhanced version of it, but as Bullshark said, you'll go crazy trying to keep up with the technology and broke at the same time.
The enhancements for the Edelbrock simply have no bearing for my use...I'm more than happy with it as is.
If you would go with the Edelbrock, get the Mallory distributor that's designed specifically for this system. It has the ability to retard spark advance automatically if knock is detected. The other distributors available don't have that, no matter how good a distributor they are. The Mallory is not the Unilite system that has a reputation for blowing when a voltage spike occurs.
The enhancements for the Edelbrock simply have no bearing for my use...I'm more than happy with it as is.
If you would go with the Edelbrock, get the Mallory distributor that's designed specifically for this system. It has the ability to retard spark advance automatically if knock is detected. The other distributors available don't have that, no matter how good a distributor they are. The Mallory is not the Unilite system that has a reputation for blowing when a voltage spike occurs.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,004
Likes: 7
From: Adelaide South Australia
I also have been looking at EFI systems as a future upgrade for my 383.. The Edelbrock Pro-flo uses a victor style single plane manifold with multiport injectors, whereas the Holley uses a mini-ram style manifold....as does Weiand with their stealth ram setup.
Is the ram intake better? What differences would there be?
Is the ram intake better? What differences would there be?
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 118
From: St. Charles Mo
CI 5 & 8 Veteran
I know alot of guys swear by the old GM ECMs and their limitations like prom burning, Tuner Pro etc. etc. and they do the job better than a carb, but for my money and required effort, time has passed those by.
Bullshark
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,431
Likes: 52
From: Florida
I wonder if that "early 09" projection was made before or after their bankruptcy/reorganization filing? I don't mind buying the carb now and upgrading to FI later if something better is going to come out in a year, but with their reorg in process if it gets shelved (or dropped from the line, you never know once the creditors start putting dipping their hands in) I might be better off grabbing it now or looking for another brand.
Jim
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 118
From: St. Charles Mo
CI 5 & 8 Veteran
I really don't know what kinds of things could be added to a system that already controls air, fuel, timing, timing retard under boost, custom tailored A/F ratios depending on MAP and RPM, not to mention the ones I'm forgetting like data logging. Good luck on your project.
Jim
Jim
Bullshark
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,360
Likes: 382
From: Plano TX
Small correction: Holley never filed for bankruptcy, they filed for bankruptcy protection (chapter 11). They did it because they have bad loans with high interest and the lenders refused to refinance. Filing for ch 11 allows them to force refinancing.
I'll stick to a carb and deal with carb problems.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
Likes: 8
From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
I'm very pleased with my C950 - they're pretty darn reliable...especially for cars that aren't driven every day. It's worth it to know that your car will start under any conditions.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,431
Likes: 52
From: Florida
Jim, Again, it is fine for the basics, but like any product evolution, you get more capability as technology expands. For me, I needed the additional flexible inputs/outputs that the newer systems provided. i.e Dual Spal fan control, theft security, selectable fuel maps...one for economy, one for performance. I haven't moded for nitrous yet, but I might. etc. etc. I am not trashing the product, I like it, It was king in its day, but technology, competition doesn't stand still. I am sure Holley's new system will regain the thrown
Bullshark
Bullshark
Jim
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
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There are some Holley Engineers who hangout there that will answer any questions you may have (unless you're asking about something proprietary). One of them posted a thread to the users of the current 950 what their wishes would be in a new ECU, an opportunity to give the engineers a "wish list" of features so to speak. I asked the question about using the old harness and was led to believe "in so many words" that you will be able to use it.
You might consider becoming a member there and posing the question again, membership is free.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,960
Likes: 573
From: Lompoc, CA. Santa Barbara County
I'm in the process of installing a Holley 950 TBI. It's an older unit I bought off of a friend. It's up and running, but I am still making fine adjustments. Even with this older unit, the tuneability is fantastic. I only wanted a simple fuel injection replacement for my Quadrajet, and I got that and more. The low end power and throttle response is so much better than I ever had with the Quadrajet, and at 950cfm, it can handle any future mods. There are so many things to adjust, but you do all of them with your lap top. No dirty hands or gas smelling clothes. I can buy a later ECU that will plug into the older harness and control the older throttle body, but this is just fine for me.
Bee Jay
Bee Jay
