Most modern vehicles use electronic fuel injection, or EFI, to inject fuel directly into the cylinders or intake manifold. The computer controls the mixture of air and fuel, which eliminates the need for an old-school carburetor. While many older vehicles still have carburetors the benefits of EFI systems are challenging to beat.
When you want to upgrade to an electric fuel injection system you have two options. You can either replace the entire engine and do an engine swap or you can install an EFI system. The latter is easier and less expensive but you need to get the right system. To help you get the right system we'll compare the top two options on the market: the Holley Sniper EFI 1 and the Holley Sniper EFI 2.
Read on to learn more below.
Holley Sniper EFI 2: What's New?
The Holley Sniper EFI 2 is an updated version of the original Holley Sniper EFI. The lead engineer of Sniper 2 at Holley states that the Sniper 2 version incorporates everything the company learned from the Sniper 1 but takes it to the next level. He goes on to state that the company also listened to customer feedback and built everything from the ground up. This includes the throttle body, linkage, and other key elements of the design.
So, what's new?
New and Improved Specs
The Holley Sniper 2 has some new and improved specs that are tough to beat. It's packed with four 100lb/hr injectors that give the Sniper 2 some impressive horsepower capabilities that work for vehicles that have 4-barrel carburetors. For example, it can handle up to 650 horsepower in naturally aspirated engines and up to 575 horsepower if you're working with forced induction.
While this is impressive on its own, it doesn't stop there. Instead of having an additional rubber wire outside the system, the Sniper 2 has a cast-in internal fuel crossover. This enhances performance by reducing the chance of leakage and cleans up the look of the Sniper 2.
Some other specs to consider are:
- A fully redesigned injection connection system for even more reliability
- An onboard contactless magnetic TPS management system
- Features a hidden harness that exists from the rear of the throttle body, which provides a more speak appearance
- Transmission kick-down provisions for Ford and GM vehicles
These are only some of the new features you'll find with the Holley Sniper 2.
Options Galore
The Holley Sniper 2 is loaded with options. First and foremost, we have to cover the Power Distribution Module (PDM). This simplifies the connections and wiring you'll need if you plan on wiring in the ignition in conjunction with the Holley Sniper EFI 2. So, you'll only have to worry about three connection points and most of your engine's electronics can run off of this PDM.
One of our favorite new features is the screen display. You'll have your choice of 3.5-inch or 5-inch displays but there is also a Bluetooth module that allows your smartphone (Android or IOS) to become the display.
The last thing to note is that the Sniper 2 is highly customizable. Several kits are available depending on what you need. One example is the Sniper 2 Returnless Master Kit, which comes out of the box with everything necessary to install the drop-in-style fuel pump on an existing fuel setup. Another example is the traditional return-style kit that comes with similar components but without the fuel pump module.
Price
When it comes to price the Holley Sniper 2 is more affordable than you'd think. Most kits start at around $1,300, which is only a few hundred dollars more than the original Holley Sniper. In most cases, it's worth it to opt for the Sniper 2 because of the new features and options you have available. Depending on how you install the system, a mechanic may charge about $650 to $1,000 for labor.
Overall, the Holley Sniper 2 is one of the most customizable fuel injection kits on the market. Plus, it's affordable and easy to install.
Holley Sniper EFI 1: Features & Cost Analysis
The Holley Sniper EFI is one of the few self-tuning fuel injection systems on the market. It's effective for muscle cars, street cars, and many off-road vehicles. Learn more about the original Holley Sniper 1 below.
Features
The Holley Sniper took the market by storm when it was released. It's a simple kit that's easy to install and it can support engines that produce up to 1,200 horsepower if you go the Super Sniper route. However, there are several available kits and some can even use a single barrel fuel injection system for older 6-cylinder vehicles.
Furthermore, it comes with an internal fuel regulation system that you view on a touchscreen display. It's also easy to tune and doesn't require any advanced computer skills, which makes it more accessible to the public.
Some other notable features include the following:
- Bolt-on installation that's easy to do in your driveway. Plus, plenty of walkthrough videos are available on the Holley Sniper website
- Simple wiring
- A 3.5-inch display, so you don't need a laptop for tuning
- Comes with an integrated ECU
- Fits into the Holley Sniper ecosystem, so you can mix and match components and features like Hyperspark
There are hundreds of features to cover but these options stand out the most.
Cost Analysis
The EFI Sniper 1 will cost you about $1,000 for the fuel injection kit. However, you'll have to install the kit as well. Home installations may only have a couple of hundred to the cost of the system but some mechanics may charge between $600 and $1,000 for the labor. Still, this is more cost-effective than doing an engine swap.
When comparing Holley Sniper products to other EFI systems, it's clear that the Holley Sniper 1 and 2 are bargains.
What is an EFI System?
EFI stands for electronic fuel injection. These systems replaced carburetors that used to be responsible for mixing air and fuel. Instead of needing the carburetor, an electronic computer injects fuel directly into the engine's cylinders or manifold. These systems are standard for most modern combustion engines, but some older vehicles will still use carburetors.
Most computers tune a vehicle to ensure that the appropriate amount of air and fuel is dumped into each cylinder. With EFI systems you don't have to worry about constantly updating a carburetor or making new modifications to ensure that everything is tuned properly. The only drawback is that these systems are more complex and challenging to work on.
Still, you're better off switching to an EFI system if you want to maximize your vehicle's performance. In fact, you can gain between 5 and 10 horsepower just by switching to an EFI system.
Conclusion: Is the Sniper EFI 2 Worth It?
In conclusion, yes, the Sniper EFI 2 is worth every penny. It takes designs from the original Sniper EFI to the next level, plus Holley Sniper listened to customer feedback and made the unit even more accessible with features like Bluetooth connectivity. When it comes to a cost analysis versus the original Holley Sniper, it definitely comes out on top. The hidden harness and options for an integrated Power Distribution Module make it one of the most customizable fuel injection systems on the market.
When you want to install an electronic fuel injection system on a vehicle that doesn't have it, the days of doing a lengthy engine swap are over. What's more, you don't have to sink $4,000 into an EFI kit or learn about coding to tune the system. Ultimately, the Holley Sniper and Holley Sniper 2 make installing an EFI kit a treat, and you’ll find them at JEGS today.
