Alohas ! Ditching the sniper that was installed in 2018… Been tweaking this thing since it was first installed never was happy how it ran . It was ok but always had an AFR imbalance between the lt and rt bank.. ..When removing the Sniper system the Hyperspark distributor was trashed inside so much corrosion ! Really sad a 400.00 plus item looked like that after 6 years !
Proflo 4 installed and man that system runs sweet ! Software super ez to use , setup was a breeze ! More info to come after the learning process .. Mahalos !

 

I would love to learn more about the Edelbrock Pro Flo systems. I currently have the Holley Stealth Sniper on my car and it seems to work well.

The system I considered as an alternate was the Pro Flow. I liked the sequential or multi point fuel injection and would prefer it over a throttle body injection system. I was also interested in a system that would keep the central carburetor location versus a front flow system. I am using some L88 parts and they have the intake where the carburetor sat to match up the hole in the air-box. I want cold air and a good functioning fuel and ignition system.

My distributor is a 30+ year old MSD Billet unit and it has zero corrosion in it. With the vacuum advance removed and the centrifugal advance disabled the plate is locked out and the timing was set to 15* and the Holley ECU took over from there. This kept me from buying a new distributor when I installed the Holley Sniper on my Corvette.

 

This ProFlo4 system is nice 👍 An injector for each cylinder and it’s simple to set up .. It’s smooth at idle .. I’m running a Crane retro roller cam with iron dist gear .. #119821 mild cam Has a slight lope to it .. With the sniper couldn’t get it to run consistent.. Would run really rich at times .Then swing lean , wen engine braking it would just go super rich .. If I cut the fuel it would cause the engine to pop goin down hills .. Drove me crazy tweaking it all the time .. Very frustrating & the software was not user friendly had to watch videos trying to tune those things out .. On the Proflo I have to get the air filter ironed out and then go driving some more to let the system learn .. Oh and the sniper body itself is starting to have corrosion issues also. With the ECU in the throttle body it probably wouldn’t have lasted much longer and leave me stranded .. I know here in Hawaii it’s humid and salt air but geez I have other performance items that have held up well with no corrosion or very little .. That’s my take on the two systems .. Know what I know now I would’ve just paid more and went for the Edlelbrock system .. Future updates as soon as I get to drive the ol vette more .. Mahalos !

 

Thankyou for your write up, looking forward to reading your updates. It seems most of the complains that I have read re: Pro4 were due to limited tuneability.

 

Was able to get the ETuner to work on a car play single din display .. Cleans up the interior !

 

Proflo 4 is more user friendly.. The Holley software in my opinion is great for some one who knows how to use all the features . It’s made more for a professional tuner .. The Edelbrock ETuner is geared more for the DIY guy like me it has what u need to get it tuned where u need it .. The learning does the rest .. I found the Holley very confusing and time consuming to learn ..I could never get it to where I was happy how it ran .. The Proflo 4 is running great so far .. Looking back should’ve just spent the money for the Proflo in the first place ..

 

I like the way you were able to integrate the Edelbrock display into your dash. Nice job!

Really like my Edelbrock Pro-Flo 4XT system. Biggest issue I've had is that I get a bit of vapor lock on hot starts on hot days. I believe it's related to the fact the crossover fuel hose between the two fuel rails is too long and lays on the intake manifold right up against the thermostat housing. I improved the situation by insulating that crossover hose (and other fuel lines in the engine bay) and taking out a bit of crank fuel at higher temps. At some point, I'll find a new shorter hose which will hang in the air space below the intake and that should keep it a bit cooler.

DC

 

Mahalos for the complement !
Are u using an in tank pump ? I’m using a Holley retro fit pump no return needed .. Putting out about 60psi .. So far no issues .. Was thinking of reducing cranking fuel also but dang it starts great already ..

 

Look at the dash pictures , the AFR gauge is on the right bank O2 sensor 14. The Proflo display is the left bank O2 sensor 13.9 ! Sniper was always off sometimes quite a lot …Could’ve been the corrosion in the Holley distributor .. Engine running super smooth .. Alohas !

 

Loving this thread! I’m a long ways off from this, but it is something I’m hoping to do in the future. There’s an excellent write up on here about the Holley system, but I see what you are saying about it’s complexity. Heck, even the author of that write up said he is still learning and needs to keep learning. If I’m gonna do it, I want it to work quick and not have to be a rocket scientist, or keep learning new tricks over time. Hoping you will do a detailed write up once you have everything set. Thanks!

 

Yup! I went through that Sniper for dummies .. Great write up lots of Awsum tips .. At this point I was over it and just wanted a simple system to install and run nice .. Probably needed to install a single plane intake to cure my issues , Since was goin that far into it may as well bite the bullet and go with the Proflo XT .. Looks really kool sitting on that L48 hahaha. Hey if can’t go fast may as well look Kool right !! Alohas !

 

Definitely looks cool! What hood are you running? Think that would fit under a ‘71 LT1 hood?

 

TBH fella's I have been surprised that CF members have taken so long to give the Edelbrock Proflo a try considering the complete package offered (so FI components, MPI populated inlet manifold, distributor and control unit) at a price not a lot more than some of the more basic throttle body systems.
The only potential downside perhaps could be how good the customer service in the event of issues (I'm UK based). The dedicated forum does seem to have quite a few owners that experience issues that are seem unusual........or is it due to owners being 'out of their depth'.
Wondering how well the system helps to 'tame' idle characteristics of wilder cams with poor vacuum signal at idle and low rpm?

 

What is the cost on one of these? The aces TBI system I just bought is down to $599right now on sale without the coil and distributor which should add another couple hundred. But that's TBI and not mpi.. those are still closer to 2 grand for the complete setup and 3 grand for a tunnel ram setup like this.

 

What is the cost on one of these? The aces TBI system I just bought is down to $599right now on sale without the coil and distributor which should add another couple hundred. But that's TBI and not mpi.. those are still closer to 2 grand for the complete setup and 3 grand for a tunnel ram setup like this. I have mixed thoughts on the mpi because it should have all sorts of advantages over TBI but more than a few people with experience with both have commented once tuned properly they could not tell the difference so I suppose this depends on multiple factors and the combo.

 

XT system was 2700.00 ,plus your air filter setup that u wanna run.Im waiting for the Vararam 05 GTO cold air system which 299.00...The Edelbrock system will need a high pressure fuel system .The XT requires a new throttle cable ,its a pain but doable ..The 4150 system will look more like a carb .Edelbrock includes the distributor intake gaskets and some misc hardware ..You probably heard this one before,if your gonna go EFI do the Multi Point Fuel Injection System .To me it was worth the cost ..If you factor in a new manifold ,carburetor ,distributor with quality high end parts your getting close to the cost of the ProFlo 4 well almost anyways.The Proflo 4 has the ECU remotely mounted away from engine vibrations and heat .As far as hood clearance I have a 76 standard hood it clears no problem.I can get measurements if anyone is interested ..Mahalos

 

iokepakai
Nice job.
Tell us about this Single DIN display? Where did you get it and what does it do (is it also a radio?)? How deep is it? I have a separate handheld unit for my EZ-EFI but yours is way cooler.

 

Thanks. I already picked up an aces killshot myself, which has a remote ECU also. It also requires a new high pressure fuel setup or surge tank. I went with a baffled tank and in tank pump. I bought the whole setup for about a grand with the tank and accessories. I thought about returning it and going with the mpi version for 1800 but I got a couple other financial endeavors I'm saving for so decided not to at this time. Aces has a system that looks a lot like the Edelbrock setup too but I really like my cai and the new intake I just ported so if anything I may go with a 4150 style at some point I I feel I will benefit.

 

I've been following this thread with interest, and there's been some good discussion on various EFI systems out there (not commenting on the LS swap option). Obviously the OP got tired of the Sniper and working through issues. The only comments I have on that:

1. Your dual plane manifold combined with the tuning parameters were probably the source of some of your frustrations with the Sniper.
2. The camshaft you had shouldn't have caused any tuning issues with a properly running Sniper system.
3. Decelerations and "popping" is caused by fueling (tune). The Sniper isn't adjusting for fuel while off throttle and decelerating - that part of the table must be tuned manually.
4. AFR swings like that can be attributed to tuning issues - or bad components - like O2 sensors, exhaust leaks, etc.

I understand that everyone has their own experiences, but if I were to generalize issues with the Sniper units: when they are working correctly and are properly tuned, they are great. BUT when they are not working correctly or not properly tuned they are a huge nightmare. Then you get rid of them and buy edelbrocks system or revert back to a carburetor...

Here are some things I've been doing / thinking about...

I have been talking to the "Aces" folks about the $1800 tuned port setup "The Joker" setup. If and when my Sniper dies, I'd like to move to that type of setup. That is essentially the same setup that you can build with the Holley Terminator BUT at about half the price. I also downloaded their software and I'm looking at that as well. For the price break point, you can't beat that anywhere. I'm still trying to navigate their software, but given some time, it could be more natural to use.

In the attempt to add MPFI and keep the SBC manifold and top throttle-body look there's only a small handful of options. The edelbrock system is a good system, but it doesn't offer the flexibility and tuneability that I personally require. Nor does it keep the "look" closer to the Gen 1 SBC. The Aces version is far cheaper if you already have the fuel system built - and probably still cheaper if you get a master kit from them.

On the surface, comparing the Holley version of the multi-port FI (which you have to effectively build) to the Aces - The Joker - setup:

1. For what you get in hardware and software, the Aces system has no competition. They are pretty proud of their "value" in talking to them, and they are pretty proud of their quality even at the price break point.
2. The software seems good, although admittedly I am fumbling around due to my unfamiliarity with it.
3. The Holley Terminator capability is much greater than the Aces for the "Joker" level, but again, that is where the value kicks in. Do you need an engine management system that can handle loads of I/O or coil over plug ignition? Probably not if you are doing this modification for a Gen 1 SBC.
4. The manifold and throttle body looks almost exactly like the Holley version. The manifold is basically a Weiand low profile single plane manifold with injector ports before the intake ports of the heads.
5. The fuel rail is exactly like the Holley as well as utilizing the same injectors as the Sniper and the Holley systems (the LS3 injector). It runs off from a 43 psi system (3 bar) which is pretty normal.
6. Although the Aces version doesn't come with additional I/O, it does come innate with MAP, IAT, fuel pressure, oil pressure, fan control, and I believe oil pressure. The super sniper comes with 3 custom I/O capabilities, but doesn't include fuel pressure or oil pressure innate to the system. So, you have to eat up I/O to add things that the Aces system comes with.
7. The Aces system also comes with a distributor, and it relies upon a "reluctance" sensor for RPM and cam sense. I personally prefer the "hall effect" it is more accurate and less prone to EMI/RFI. However, it is a small issue.
8. If I am understanding them correctly, the ignition CDI is built into the ECU and the Aces system doesn't require a separate CDI box to run the ignition. It does still require a coil, and it looks exactly like the Hyperspark coil if you purchase it from them. This is a little different form the norm, but an interesting concept.

When Augie gets his Killshot up and running - I'd like to know more about that experience...
Same with the Edelbrock system. I'd like to know more about its features, not that it just runs. What can you do with it beyond the surface level?

Cheers
KT

 

A few things I'm looking for clarification on.. when it comes to the killshot and distributor timing control I was under the impression either hall or reluctance wheel would work. I intended to use my stock tack drive distributor with a pertronix module. The killshot manual shows multiple different wiring methods for the distributor including a couple for ecm timing control and I assumed one was for the hall effect setup. Aces does make another ecm with the cdi built in it was like $200 more and For my use I didn't see the benefit. If the hall effect sensors don't work I can buy the tach drive version of the speedometer reluctor type distributor for $200 and I have the aces coil already.

The quality of the stuff seems pretty good though the wiring harness is the most impressive thing and they are working on a distribution box for io wiring and such. The thing I've seen the most complaints about is the aces distributor having play in the timing. I chose the 5" display vs the 7 because of placement in the car. I hope to mount above my rear view mirror or below the stereo.

Perhaps we should start a thread on the aces since we might be taking this one away from the OPs intended goal. Know there's a thread on a killshot install in the c2 section from earlier in the year.