Looking into Holley Terminator...opinions

[bad.samaritan]

I have a 461BBC in my Chevelle, and have decided I want to look into EFI systems, that will control timing.

I am looking to hear your thoughts on the Terminator, the reviews on Summit aren't so hot for that system and worse for the others.

Thanks!-Mason

[andrewb70]

I have a 461BBC in my Chevelle, and have decided I want to look into EFI systems, that will control timing.

I am looking to hear your thoughts on the Terminator, the reviews on Summit aren't so hot for that system and worse for the others.

Thanks!-Mason

Mason,

I see two reviews on Summit and they are both 5 stars:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/hly-550-406/reviews/

Holley has an excellent ECU and the hardware is top notch as well. The Terminator is not as good as a direct port system, but if you just want to bolt it to your existing manifold and go, then this is a great way to go.

Andrew

[bad.samaritan]

Andrew,

Thanks, I think I got confused with the reviews on summit for the FAST 2.0. I was going to go LS but I have a lot of $$ in my BBC and would like to see more use out of it before I go to something else. The Terminator sounds like the way to go especially since I can go LS later and keep the same ECU and just change harnesses and tune, at least that's how I think it works.

I know these systems are relatively new to the market, so I just wanted to hear some real world experiences. Thanks for the reply.

[hifi875]

I have one of the first ones on my 69 and it does very good. still havent got it 100%, it still has cold start issues. it will start no problem, but wants to die after about 30 seconds, will start right back up. had it tuned and was told that with the long runners of my intake(performer rpm) that the fuel has to travel further than a regular port fuel injection system. he is going to mess with some more so it will be fixed. I would highly recomend it. I installed mine myself which included installing a new tanksinc. setup and running earls fuel lines. never had any leaks(other than my vent on my tank and i fixed it with IImuch evap cannister)

[supremeefi]

I have one of the first ones on my 69 and it does very good. still havent got it 100%, it still has cold start issues. it will start no problem, but wants to die after about 30 seconds, will start right back up. Had it tuned and was told that with the long runners of my intake(performer rpm) the fuel has to travel further than a regular port fuel injection system. He is going to mess with some more so it will be fixed. I would highly recommend it.

That's a load of crap, you need to find a new "tuner". I like the Holley system but your tuner needs to go back to class.

[hifi875]

Dude that's harsh. He said he will get it worked out. He deals more with regular ls injection stuff anyway and is highly recommended by ls people who are in the know. Jeez

[Vince@Meanstreets]

I think saying it twice made it harsher than he meant it. :peepwall:

[supremeefi]

I think saying it twice made it harsher than he meant it. :peepwall:

Correct, didn't mean to say it twice. I deleted the second one.
Your tuner should have just told you he didn't know why it was doing that instead of making up a lame excuse. That's a carb intake right? Why wouldn't it stall with a carb on it?
Tell him to check the afterstart fueling vs temp. You need to wet the walls of the intake a bit better upon start up. That's most likely why it's dying out. And unless he's doing it for free, and because you're telling him what to do, I'd consider asking for a refund on the tuning costs.
There are some good tuners out there, some not. Just because he can tune one type of engine doesn't mean he can do another. Too many tuners have tunnel vision and don't use or know how to use all the screens available when doing other applications. If I had dime for everytime I run across stuff like this I could change my name to Donald Trump.

Just sayin. Hope this helps.

[hifi875]

ok thanks. btw he didn't claim to be the end all know all either. i don't think i can get into that part of the tune myself with the handheld programmer and im not smart enough for the other.

[Hugger67RSSS]

I have also been looking at the terminator for my LS2. Spoke with Holley at PRI and they said it would not run well with my setup. Stock bore LS2 with PRC stage 2.5 heads and cam. Don't know why it wouldn't run it but am doing some more research. Their brochure at the show had a new version that controls timing for LS motors and electronic transmissions. Also have a version for 850 hp and E85 coming out

[bad.samaritan]

Thanks for all of the replies guys, I like to hear some actual installs on stuff like this before I pull the trigger.

I emailed Holley tech support and asked them some questions. It seems at SEMA they unveiled a "new" Terminator which is essentially a Terminator throttle body with a Dominator ECU. Like Hugger67RSSS mentioned it will control 4L60E/4L80E transmissions which is what I am after. Tech Support said look for it first quarter of this year.

[blackmagik3]

Glad I found this. I'm going to pull the trigger on one as well, for a 383. Is it on yet, and if so, anything to look out for?

[bad.samaritan]

I haven't bought mine yet, I'm still waiting to see what the price is going to be for the version that will control the 4L60/80E transmissions