Need expertise on EFI conversion for a 406SBC

[Buick Motorsports]

It's been a number of years since I posted. My 85 Buick Regal has been sitting for almost as many.

I finally have the time to get this car back out and on the road where it belongs!
https://www.lateral-g.net/forums/cache.php?img=http%3A%2F%2Fi16.photobucket.com%2Fa lbums%2Fb20%2Fjbb71%2FBUICK%2FPicture110.jpg

https://www.lateral-g.net/forums/cache.php?img=http%3A%2F%2Fi16.photobucket.com%2Fa lbums%2Fb20%2Fjbb71%2FBUICK%2FPicture109.jpg

The first thing I want to do is convert it from the 950fm mechanical carb. I want a self tuning system, i have no interest programming my tune.

I am gonna leave it at that general request for now.

I really look forward to hearing from your Guys!

Cheers,

Jason

[dhutton]

I would recommend a Holley Terminator and then get Andrew to remote tune it for you. I’ve had a few folks use him and they were very pleased. Andrewb70 on the forum.

Don

[Buick Motorsports]

I would recommend a Holley Terminator and then get Andrew to remote tune it for you. I’ve had a few folks use him and they were very pleased. Andrewb70 on the forum.

Don

Hi Don,

Thanks for giving me the reference! It's funny that you mention the Holley Terminator as I was doing a lot of reading last night and was looking at this:
https://images.holley.com/583x/termstealthblack.jpg

It has been a while since I worked on a car, it seems with a little time and patience that I could get this done.

Cheers,

Jason

[camcojb]

From what I've heard directly from tuners, the Holley EFI self tuning is very good. One of them said "it's good enough to put tuners out of business". Of course the install and setup needs to be correct.

[Buick Motorsports]

From what I've heard directly from tuners, the Holley EFI self tuning is very good. One of them said "it's good enough to put tuners out of business". Of course the install and setup needs to be correct.

The instructions seem reasonably straight forward. I only have a couple concerns about the gas tank fittings, but that can wait till the I decide to purchase.

Jody, I remember you from my original stint on the site, You had the Stielow built Chevelle. That was and is a favorite of mine. Do you still have it?

[camcojb]

The instructions seem reasonably straight forward. I only have a couple concerns about the gas tank fittings, but that can wait till the I decide to purchase.

Jody, I remember you from my original stint on the site, You had the Stielow built Chevelle. That was and is a favorite of mine. Do you still have it?

I do not. Great car, and the reason I'm doing another Chevelle right now. The 64 was the most comfortable fun to drive car I've ever had.

[OLDFLM]

The instructions seem reasonably straight forward. I only have a couple concerns about the gas tank fittings, but that can wait till the I decide to purchase.


1) Get the Terminator EFI
2) Call Carl at VaporWorx! He will help with your tank/pump etc.
3) Have Andrew tune it!

Exactly what I did for my 440cid Pontiac and it's the single best thing I've ever done to the car!

[Buick Motorsports]

1) Get the Terminator EFI
2) Call Carl at VaporWorx! He will help with your tank/pump etc.
3) Have Andrew tune it!

Exactly what I did for my 440cid Pontiac and it's the single best thing I've ever done to the car!

Thank you!

You have pushed me over the edge. I am going to reach to to Carl and get the ball rolling.

[andrewb70]

The Terminator X Stealth is a good system if you want TBI. The Terminator X ECU will also handle the inevitable LS swap in the future.

If you have any questions, you can reach out to me" projectgattago at gmail dot com

Andrew

[andrewb70]

From what I've heard directly from tuners, the Holley EFI self tuning is very good. One of them said "it's good enough to put tuners out of business". Of course the install and setup needs to be correct.

That's not entirely true. If it was, I wouldn't be in a business that is growing every month.

The Holley systems have a learn function, which is nothing more than a long term fuel trim table. There are still dozens of other parameters to sort through in order to have a great tune.

Andrew

[camcojb]

That's not entirely true. If it was, I wouldn't be in a business that is growing every month.

The Holley systems have a learn function, which is nothing more than a long term fuel trim table. There are still dozens of other parameters to sort through in order to have a great tune.

Andrew

I understand, just that this tuner (who is well-known and respected) was impressed by their system. I don't think he literally meant it would eliminate his business, there are many factors in tuning as you know.

[AMSOILGUY]

1) Get the Terminator EFI
2) Call Carl at VaporWorx! He will help with your tank/pump etc.
3) Have Andrew tune it!

Exactly what I did for my 440cid Pontiac and it's the single best thing I've ever done to the car!


Great topic and totally what I am thinking about doing. I can see the cost of the Holley set up.
1. Can anybody give an idea what a tank and pump set up will cost?

2. Andrew how much is your tuning service? I am talking a NA tune his for the 406 and mine is a 502.

[andrewb70]

Great topic and totally what I am thinking about doing. I can see the cost of the Holley set up.
1. Can anybody give an idea what a tank and pump set up will cost?

2. Andrew how much is your tuning service? I am talking a NA tune his for the 406 and mine is a 502.

Please email me and we can discuss pricing: projectgattago at gmail dot com

Andrew

[OLDFLM]

Great topic and totally what I am thinking about doing. I can see the cost of the Holley set up.
1. Can anybody give an idea what a tank and pump set up will cost?

2. Andrew how much is your tuning service? I am talking a NA tune his for the 406 and mine is a 502.

For my car (2nd Gen F-body) I went with the Rick's Restomod tank (~$400) and the GM ACDELCO pump (~$125) that Carl at VaporWorx recommend. With Carl's regulator/adapter and fuel components it was plug-n-play!

I took my install a step further and went with the dual sync distributor... while not needed I won't need it in the future if I decide to go multi-port EFI.

I also upgraded from my old MSD 6AL to the MSD 6EFI ignition box and coil... also not necessary if you already have a good working ignition system.

The Terminator EFI now controls fuel, timing and even my two electric fans!

It's literally the best thing I've done to the car in 37 years of ownership!

That and having Andrew do all the remote tuning!! I simply can't sing his praises enough! Not just for the service provided but also for having the patience to teach me about EFI and fuel tables and putting up with my obsession that is my Firebird...

Step 1) Call Carl at VaporWorx
Step 2) Call Andrew
Step 3) Enjoy driving your car!

[BonzoHansen]

The Terminator X Stealth is a good system if you want TBI. The Terminator X ECU will also handle the inevitable LS swap in the future.

If you have any questions, you can reach out to me" projectgattago at gmail dot com

Andrew

what if your are a SBC guy that might want MPI? Cam isn't super lumpy, but 14.5" at vacuum I am thinking a TBI setup might not be ideal. And from what I have heard I might have to swap to an open intake anyway, so the cost difference starts to contract.

[Buick Motorsports]

Thanks for all the discussion points everyone. I am still researching and all these points open up new questions.

[JKnight]

Zero expertise here but I’m doing a Terminator X Max Stealth TBI and Vaporworx/ZL1/Ricks Restomod combo on my 406. It’ll take me forever to get it all done but if by some miracle it doesn’t, I’ll let the group know how it goes. Parts are all here, now just gotta do the work!

[Tony V]

I'm going to second the previous comments....Ricks Tanks, carl at vapor worx and Andrew for the tune...No complaints I have a car that is reliable fun to drive and performs on the track without issues....its great recipe.

[AMSOILGUY]

Thanks for all the discussion points everyone. I am still researching and all these points open up new questions.


Lets see who gets this completed first. I went ahead and pulled the trigger on the Terminator X along with a controller from Carl at Vaporworx. Andrew has also been involved in this. I went with the Holley Sniper EFI tank and the larger pump. The controller is supposed to be here today, the tank showed up last week. I am waiting on a shipping confirmation for the EFI kit. Good luck with your install!:confused18:

[SSLance]

I have the Holley EFI Terminator 4bbl setup on my vortec headed 383 SBC and I love it. I'll echo what everyone above said, work with Carl on the fuel system needs and work with Andrew on the tuning.

Personally, if I was doing it over again...I'd use this intake which was NOT available when I did mine.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/i-26hrCCt/0/f96de042/X2/278753871_400646305217519_1773992387215110929_n-X2.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/i-grnRdnr/0/7dd41b06/O/19418640.jpg

But I'm still pretty happy with my throttle body injection setup.

[AMSOILGUY]

Zero expertise here but I’m doing a Terminator X Max Stealth TBI and Vaporworx/ZL1/Ricks Restomod combo on my 406. It’ll take me forever to get it all done but if by some miracle it doesn’t, I’ll let the group know how it goes. Parts are all here, now just gotta do the work!


How did the install go? Have you completed or began yet? Finally my Terminator X showed up today. Does anybody have any ideas for places to mount the ECU in a 69 Camaro?

[JKnight]

I love your optimism Jacob…. :)

I haven’t done much at all. It got hot here and the only progress I made was on the rear suspension and trunk. I’m just about ready to get started once the cooler months arrive though!

[AMSOILGUY]

I am nearing the finish line. Andrew has been great to work with along with Carl. I only have a couple road miles hopefully finishing up today!:excited:

[andrewb70]

I am nearing the finish line. Andrew has been great to work with along with Carl. I only have a couple road miles hopefully finishing up today!:excited:

Aside from my own brain fart...:bang:

Andrew

[AMSOILGUY]

I have an older gear vendor along with an out of date controller it turns out. So with the new EFI and new Hyperpark distributor it causes to much interface that its making the gear vendors have a mind of its own. I spoke with gear vendors and they colabed with MSD to solve this. A new box comes with the systems and I now have to update. New box on its way. $425.00
My Gear Vendors is about 8 years old.

[Y-TRY]

Which intake is that?