My son and I are installing a Sniper EFI. The original Carb is a 2 bbl, and the sniper is a 4 bbl. Any recommendations for a 4v intake and heads? Or will the stock heads work?

 

On an M? Whatever floats your boat I guess. The stock heads will work just fine. The intake could be an issue though, as the dual planes available do not work well with EFI

 

The SNIPER EFI really needs a Single Plane intake; though you can get away with a dual plane..just need an open spacer. Stock heads will work. Just installed a Sniper XFlow EFI on my 79 Bronco.

 

Or something similar, upside down.

 

Subscribed to see how this one goes. Single plane intake is better so the word on the web says. And yes your stock heads will be fine. Please post up the wiring process. And there are some great threads on how to do the fuel return line into the gas tank vent line.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...1979-f250.html

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-on-400-a.html

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ey-sniper.html

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-guidance.html

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...n-77-f150.html

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1538952-using-vent-hose-or-emissions-port-as-an-efi-return-line.html

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1527857-what-fuel-filter-s-for-fuel-injection.html

 

And when you need help after you get it installed...check out the Sniper forum on Holley forums. Danny and TheCowWatcher are good help, but I suggest reading threads on there. There is more of a manual as well that Holley doesnt provide in the box for the Sniper...just check on the Holley forum and get the link.

 

I've got the Sniper 2bbl kit on my 351M. Stock everything else. Runs real good. Easy starts and good data on the handheld. I run a stock tank with a Hyperfuel 40015 pump retrofit kit. I used new line to feed the carb and the old hardline as the return to the tank.

Did you get the Hyperspark distributor? Definitely a good upgrade if you want to do timing control which really helps starting and smooth running at load.

My goal is to eventually install a Holley Street dominator single plane 4v manifold but I'm lazy and want to fix the fifty other issues with the truck first.

 

I've been interested in going this route with my 79 351M bronco.. What are the positives to the efi? I put a Weiland alum intake and a holley 4bbl on it about 2 years ago which made an amazing difference but now I'm thinking about efi.. Sorry for the hijack.. subscribed

 

Depends on your level of "tech" you're wanting to invite onto your rig. You've probably got a good setup going that runs fine.

Here's my logic behind going EFI on my truck.

1. I'm a young person, savvy with computers and electrics. EFI is something I grew up with and learned about when I was a wee little wrench turner. I know how to diagnose and troubleshoot a fuel injection system more than a carburetor.
2. You get the "key in, turn, start" satisfaction that makes the WAF (wife acceptance factor) very high. She's never driven a carbureted vehicle. To her it should always be turn key start.
3. There are some fuel economy and usability/flexibility benefits, that may or may not be realized by my usage of my truck. Honestly, I like having the extra data on timing, air/fuel ratios, and other such nerdy things.

It's not for everyone, really. It's a lot of extra work to set up and get tuned right. The cost is higher. If the aliens attack with EMP weapons I'm probably hosed.

 

1)Easier starts especially in cold weather.

2)No more vapor locking.

3)If you travel in many different elevations then the EFI will compensate for elevation change on the go by itself while a carburetor will need you to adjust for higher or lower elevation.

4)Better fuel economy (efficient) in some cases (if you keep your foot out of it).

5)Supposedly people have seen a power increase, but a good carburetor can have a power increase too (but carburetors are very picky)

6)More responsive throttle.


Reasons not to go EFI

1)Carburetors generally can be fixed in the middle of no where.

2)Carburetors do not have the sensors and other electronics to have to worry about. If a sensor goes out on your EFI...it will run bad, you'll lose economy and power, or your vehicle won't run at all.

3)You want to keep a stock truck.

 

Wait, you don't have your truck fully shielded yet? Get on that man! The aliens is comin' for sure!
In the meantime, make sure the bugout box in the bed has the fully adjusted points distributor and carburetor and linkage waiting to go.
Right there next to the analog screw-driver and adjustable wrench set.

Assuming you don't get caught with your head under the hood and your assets waving in the wind (cursing your luck at having to adjust points again for the rest of your life no doubt) you'll be golden.
Just messin' with ya of course. But that don't mean I forgot to throw that stuff under the seat of my truck either!

Paul

 

So...... Basically you're eliminating occasional carburetor tinkering for occasional electronic tinkering.🤔 I am guilty to throwing the factory alternator and distributor in the trash for a good old gm 1 wire and a HEI distributor.. I'm honestly holding out going this route until I hear that it gives gains of 5mpg and 15 horsepower with zero tinkering(Guess that means never) 😆

 

My tinfoil undies have been keeping my jimmies protected from aliens and other unsavory types for many years!

I totally agree with the KISS principle - you see folks revive carbureted vehicles with a flathead and crecent wrench all the time, not so much with all the sensors and such needed for a FI system.

That's probably a lot of marketing. Admittedly, I haven't fiddled with my tuning it except for some settings to get my idle perfect. I'm a pro-EFI guy just because I like digicals and like fiddling with electronics. More power? Fuel is fuel, and the delivery system is moot if the ratios are right.

 

I'm the same here, my 7.3 is loaded up with gauges, chips and other mods. I actually enjoyed my battle with the wife's suburban recently by pulling heads swapping the cam and sticking non dod lifters in it🤷‍♂️
I've been genuinely interested in the holley efi kits for years, I just haven't pulled the trigger. I'm afraid I might like it more than my air/fuel mixture screws

 

With the simple TBI EFI setups I don't remember ever hearing of anyone that got more than a couple of miles per gallon more than with their carburetor. Of course there's no way to know if there were other underlying factors like poor gearing and tire size choices, camshaft mis-match issues, or just plain working against aerodynamics.
And there may be success stories out there, but generally you just get the other benefits, but without the big MPG increases.

On the other hand, aero and gearing aside, my '68 Bronco with Explorer engine and transmission in it gets 20mpg at between 60-65 mph. I expect (more I hope!) to get a little better still when I change from the 4.56 gearing to the 4.11 I have waiting to go in. I think this engine and tire combination (little tiny 31's) could pull hard even with 3.50 gears, but I'm not willing to go that low for an experiment. Just too expensive.
Sometime maybe I'll have the initiative, energy and gumption at the same time someone gives me a free 3.50 9" chunk to toss in there to see what I get, but for now the 4.11 will have to do.

At some point I expect that aerodynamics will set the ultimate high point for highway mileage. But still very curious what I'll get.
For comparison with a 302 over 40 years of use I've never gotten better than 17.5 with a carburetor. And that was with a very anemic Holley 450 "Economaster" carb. It was wicked strong off-idle but could not get out of it's own way when really needing to accelerate. I might have been able to tune some more power into it if I'd known more about it and what do to. But I did not, so changed the carb fairly quickly.
Prior to, and after that one carb, I never got better than 15mpg with any setup from the stock 2bbl to a Holley #1850 to Carter 625 (street version) and 500 (Competition model) carburetors. All peaked at 15 to 15 1/2 miles per gallon.
So yeah, in my case the EFI netted me an additional 5mpg.

Paul