[IhaveNoPantsOn]

I finally bought what I hope fixes my misfire issue.

I was at a car show a couple weeks ago and was talking to a guy about the high rpm/high speed miss/stumble that I’ve had ever since I put the EFI system on. I forget what engine and system he was running, but he had the exact same issue. He finally ended up buying a cheap ignition box, and that completely fixed everything. So, I bought the cheapest one Summit offered. Holley makes a direct plug-in one for the Sniper system, but it was almost twice as much and the reviews were actually a little worse.
Got it mounted under the dash, hole drilled in the firewall, and wires ran today.


Just need to roughly wire it in to see if it fixes my problem. Probably Scotch-locks and/or wire nuts. Then, if it does work, wire it in permanently just in time to put it away for winter.

 

[IhaveNoPantsOn]

Got everything wired today. Just got back from a test drive and…it still runs like ****. Guess I’ll figure it out next year.
On a positive note, I have indoor storage for both this and the wagon this winter. The truck will even be temperature controlled. So, if I do feel like driving 45 minutes to go work on it, I won’t completely freeze my balls off.

 

[nfamus10]

It looks like you installed it upside down sir.....har har. These tunes are so crazy complicated. Hope you get it figured out.

 

[IhaveNoPantsOn]

Well, I figured it out! Or at least I figured out what to do to make it run better.
Would you believe it runs 90% better running 87 octane, instead of the 89 I’ve been filling up with the past 3 years?! Still has a misfire sometimes at higher rpm, and does knock under certain conditions if I’m not careful, but it’s significantly better. I’m gonna take a little timing out of it, to see if that helps.
Getting this thing to run right should not be this complicated. I feel like Holley products are like Apple products. Way overhyped, with a bunch of fanboys claiming it’s the best thing ever. They kind of have a monopoly on the market, with so many products that will only work with other Holley garbage. I know if I ever redo the setup, I’m going with another brand.

 

[Rhotpursuit]

Hope you get it figured out.
Fanboy here...As for the Apple products...I wouldn't have anything else. Mine have been rock solid. My 27" iMac is an Oct '09 build, and runs like a champ. Only issue was the HD was getting slow, so an SSD swap and it's faster than ever.

 

[IhaveNoPantsOn]

I’ve got nothing against them necessarily. I’ve had iPhones since the iPhone 3, I think. Wouldn’t have anything else, either. Just seems like right around the 2 year mark they start getting slow and glitchy. They’re still way overhyped though.

 

[Rhotpursuit]

They’re still way overhyped though.

In what way?

 

[nfamus10]

Sir this thread now belongs in the "cell phone" section. Please move this thread. Ha. So the 87 octane made that huge of a difference? At least it's hope for the winter. Hate stepping away from a project and dreading going back to it.

 

[IhaveNoPantsOn]

Well, great news! After several days of driving it harder than I ever have, it seemed as if the Sniper has ‘learned’ the new fuel quality and was occasionally knocking, AND misfiring at higher rpm! Isn’t that awesome?!?! As a last ditch guess, I just took like 7° of timing out of it. Runs the best it ever has. Again. Let’s see if it lasts.
I know I must sound like I have no idea what I’m doing (kinda true), and I’m just wasting money guessing (completely true). But everything I’ve done as far as ignition setup was exactly the way Holley said to set it up. So I blame them.
As far as actual good news, the billet distributor I originally wanted to use, that multiple companies showed in stock but didn’t have, is now actually in stock. So I wasted some more money and ordered one. Nothing wrong with the stock one I’m running; it’s just kinda ugly.
Even better news. According to a guy on the turbo 300 Facebook group I’m part of, who apparently has significant influence in the aftermarket for these engines, by the end of the month a turbo header will be available. So, the entire remote setup I spent all summer on is getting scrapped. I’ll reuse a lot of the piping and some of the oil lines and such. But it’s all gonna be under hood. This should let it actually make boost at a normal rpm, and be a hell of a lot more fun.

Thanks for reading all that. Here’s a couple old pics of this heap.

 

[IhaveNoPantsOn]

Shiny, new, completely unnecessary parts!!


As far as I can tell, it’s exactly the same (design, not necessarily quality), as MSD Ready to Run distributors. Took it apart this afternoon and removed and locked out the vacuum and mechanical advances.

 

[tytotheler92]

Hi Tim

 

[IhaveNoPantsOn]

Hi Tyler!!

 

[goes2fast]

Well, great news! After several days of driving it harder than I ever have, it seemed as if the Sniper has ‘learned’ the new fuel quality and was occasionally knocking, AND misfiring at higher rpm! Isn’t that awesome?!?! As a last ditch guess, I just took like 7° of timing out of it. Runs the best it ever has. Again. Let’s see if it lasts.
I know I must sound like I have no idea what I’m doing (kinda true), and I’m just wasting money guessing (completely true). But everything I’ve done as far as ignition setup was exactly the way Holley said to set it up. So I blame them.
As far as actual good news, the billet distributor I originally wanted to use, that multiple companies showed in stock but didn’t have, is now actually in stock. So I wasted some more money and ordered one. Nothing wrong with the stock one I’m running; it’s just kinda ugly.
Even better news. According to a guy on the turbo 300 Facebook group I’m part of, who apparently has significant influence in the aftermarket for these engines, by the end of the month a turbo header will be available. So, the entire remote setup I spent all summer on is getting scrapped. I’ll reuse a lot of the piping and some of the oil lines and such. But it’s all gonna be under hood. This should let it actually make boost at a normal rpm, and be a hell of a lot more fun.

Thanks for reading all that. Here’s a couple old pics of this heap.

Needs a roll pan instead of that clunky-looking rear bumper other wise looks great!

 

[IhaveNoPantsOn]

Nah. I’ve never liked roll pans on square trucks. Especially something as patina’d as this thing. When I first got it, I did throw around the idea of a van rear bumper for a little while.

But that obviously never happened. Body is gonna stay stock. Well, on the outside. I will body drop it one day.
In other, fantastic news, I drove it about 20 minutes Saturday to put it away for the winter. Clutch started going out on the way there. At least that’s what I think happened. So, I’ll probably be towing it home in the spring. Great. So much for redoing the turbo next year… Guess I’ve got all winter to save up.

 

[nfamus10]

It is a love hate relationship brother. Happens to all of us....well except this winter storage thing....not so much in TX, its been 60s 70s all week here.

 

[PeteD]

I wonder if that 3" pipe is losing too much velocity in the exhaust.

Losing lotsa heat too, kills turbo's efficiency

 

[goes2fast]

Nah. I’ve never liked roll pans on square trucks. Especially something as patina’d as this thing. When I first got it, I did throw around the idea of a van rear bumper for a little while.
View attachment 370319
But that obviously never happened. Body is gonna stay stock. Well, on the outside. I will body drop it one day.
In other, fantastic news, I drove it about 20 minutes Saturday to put it away for the winter. Clutch started going out on the way there. At least that’s what I think happened. So, I’ll probably be towing it home in the spring. Great. So much for redoing the turbo next year… Guess I’ve got all winter to save up.

That bumper would look a lot better than the one that is on there. The lines on that truck just don't match that ugly bumper in my opinion.

How about a stock factory bumper instead of the ugly aftermarket bumper?

Around $250 from LMC.

 

[goes2fast]

I finally found a good photo of one on a 86 F150. They were used for several years on the F100 F150 and Broncos if you want to look for a used one in boneyards.

 

[IhaveNoPantsOn]

Still not a fan. I don’t think my bumper is aftermarket. Or at least not just a universal bumper. The cutouts match the shape of the bedsides too well. The factory one you posted just sticks out straight from the body and looks awkward to me. But, maybe it’s just because I’m used to mine. Either way, thanks for the compliments. Hopefully this turd is sorted out by next summer. I’ve got a feeling I’m gonna be spending a lot of money.

 

[goes2fast]

Still not a fan. I don’t think my bumper is aftermarket. Or at least not just a universal bumper. The cutouts match the shape of the bedsides too well. The factory one you posted just sticks out straight from the body and looks awkward to me. But, maybe it’s just because I’m used to mine. Either way, thanks for the compliments. Hopefully this turd is sorted out by next summer. I’ve got a feeling I’m gonna be spending a lot of money.

The one I sent matches the front bumper and the one you have is definitely aftermarket. My grandfather used to put the same kind on all his pickups. They were sold and installed by the dealers to add profit to the sale more than the factory bumper would. They would order the trucks with no rear bumper and then install the deck plate step bumper to make more profit on the truck.

The factory bumper actually mounts closer to the bed for a cleaner look and could be tucked in closer like the custom car builders like Foose do.

Now the manufacturers have gotten smart and have outside vendors make these bumpers to their specs and sell them to their dealers to install so they get their cut of the profits along with the dealer. I have noticed this in the last 10 to 15 years as they now have this stuff on the factory order forms so it looks like a factory option but often you can buy the same option direct from the vendor and install it yourself for less.