Holley dominator efi..
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Holley dominator efi..
Looking to go with Holley dominator efi.. I need to run a 4l80 along with the engine. It’s a turbo small block. Pro’s and cons????
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Re: Holley dominator efi..
Well the main reason I’m going this route is because of the trans and I can add a digital dash easy enough. Plus.. should I pop the small block. It’s just a harness and programming change to go to an LS
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Re: Holley dominator efi..
Glad to hear. I was tossing around the idea of the HP unit. And doing a separate trans controller. But it’s more $$ that way.
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Re: Holley dominator efi..
should I pop the small block. It’s just a harness and programming change to go to an LS
Obviously the full size dashes to that too.
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#8
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Re: Holley dominator efi..
Why not a 24x setup? Can run 4L80. And can run the LS if you pop the SBC...
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Re: Holley dominator efi..
I've also looked into that, should I ever need/want to LS swap. .....as for gauges, not sure what your goals are, but I'm running the small 3.5" screen for the ancillary gauges. Still using stock speedo and tach. That little screen is awesome. ...I'm considering going with some stock style speedhut gauges and putting the 3.5" in the middle. We'll see. For now, this is working really well. I reguarly run 4 basic gauges, oil, water, volts and an on/off tach warning light to function as a shift light, but you can monitor up to 16 at a time, and as many as you program the Holley to monitor. You can program to tell you when your fans come on if you want. You can tune and one button data log too. It's pretty awesome.
Obviously the full size dashes to that too.
Obviously the full size dashes to that too.
Looks nice. I’m not sure I can get the factory 92 gauges to work. So I was thinking of the 7” screen. Just making a mount and replacing the factory gauge cluster.
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Re: Holley dominator efi..
It's just the tach and speedo. I am not sure why people think that is a big deal. Both of those are easy with 24x or Holley. The GM ECM is easy since it has output for both already. The Holley has a tach output, and the trans has VSS, so you just need an SGI-5 box to get the speedo to work
Oil pressure unit you can use the stock 4th gen, and for the temp you just use a 98 F car temp sender
Oil pressure unit you can use the stock 4th gen, and for the temp you just use a 98 F car temp sender
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Re: Holley dominator efi..
It's just the tach and speedo. I am not sure why people think that is a big deal. Both of those are easy with 24x or Holley. The GM ECM is easy since it has output for both already. The Holley has a tach output, and the trans has VSS, so you just need an SGI-5 box to get the speedo to work
Oil pressure unit you can use the stock 4th gen, and for the temp you just use a 98 F car temp sender
Oil pressure unit you can use the stock 4th gen, and for the temp you just use a 98 F car temp sender
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Re: Holley dominator efi..
Cant the holley be programmed to output correct vss? That i am not sure mine is cable driven lol
i still use factory gauges on my 24x setup and my new bbc holley setup. The gauges are on their own senders separately from engine harness so its easy. Tach works fine.
With holleys harness you have to use holley like sensors with the metripak connector ends. Oem gm stuff from ls1 may not work depending on year and type. Plus ls1 sensors are metric thread and sbc is not. Pita
but all u need is thirdgen oil pressure and swap pigtails over, and the coolant temp in head is single wire to gauge so that doesnt need changed
i still use factory gauges on my 24x setup and my new bbc holley setup. The gauges are on their own senders separately from engine harness so its easy. Tach works fine.
With holleys harness you have to use holley like sensors with the metripak connector ends. Oem gm stuff from ls1 may not work depending on year and type. Plus ls1 sensors are metric thread and sbc is not. Pita
but all u need is thirdgen oil pressure and swap pigtails over, and the coolant temp in head is single wire to gauge so that doesnt need changed
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Re: Holley dominator efi..
Ive heard of Dakota digital. Just wasn’t a big fan of the designs they had. But it’s been a few years since I’ve checked them out.
Cant the holley be programmed to output correct vss?
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Re: Holley dominator efi..
Cant the holley be programmed to output correct vss? That i am not sure mine is cable driven lol
i still use factory gauges on my 24x setup and my new bbc holley setup. The gauges are on their own senders separately from engine harness so its easy. Tach works fine.
With holleys harness you have to use holley like sensors with the metripak connector ends. Oem gm stuff from ls1 may not work depending on year and type. Plus ls1 sensors are metric thread and sbc is not. Pita
but all u need is thirdgen oil pressure and swap pigtails over, and the coolant temp in head is single wire to gauge so that doesnt need changed
i still use factory gauges on my 24x setup and my new bbc holley setup. The gauges are on their own senders separately from engine harness so its easy. Tach works fine.
With holleys harness you have to use holley like sensors with the metripak connector ends. Oem gm stuff from ls1 may not work depending on year and type. Plus ls1 sensors are metric thread and sbc is not. Pita
but all u need is thirdgen oil pressure and swap pigtails over, and the coolant temp in head is single wire to gauge so that doesnt need changed
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Re: Holley dominator efi..
First several were stock oem thirdgen stuff. Last turbo deal was stock oem ls1 411 pcm using efi connection 24x reluctor and cam sync
current is holley hp on my big block using the efi connection cam sync dizzy as before but with holley 36-1 trigger and smart coils. Holley ls harness that i made small modifications too to fit. Been running all motor. Hanging turbos now
current is holley hp on my big block using the efi connection cam sync dizzy as before but with holley 36-1 trigger and smart coils. Holley ls harness that i made small modifications too to fit. Been running all motor. Hanging turbos now
#19
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Re: Holley dominator efi..
I'm doing a Terminator X one on a small block now, with 24x conversion, that's the route I would go if you are thinking LS in the future. I think it was under 1k, and really handy to setup.
Almost everything I am doing on EFI small blocks is with the new Holley stuff. Priced right and it just plain works.
Almost everything I am doing on EFI small blocks is with the new Holley stuff. Priced right and it just plain works.
Last edited by irocman7; 09-05-2019 at 05:24 PM.
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Re: Holley dominator efi..
I'm doing a Terminator X one on a small block now, with 24x conversion, that's the route I would go if you are thinking LS in the future. I think it was under 1k, and really handy to setup.
Almost everything I am doing on EFI small blocks is with the new Holley stuff. Priced right and it just plain works.
Almost everything I am doing on EFI small blocks is with the new Holley stuff. Priced right and it just plain works.
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Re: Holley dominator efi..
The Dominator can output a vss signal to any output pin you want. Just have to know ppm on the gauge it's going to want to see to work . Dont know about the factory gauge but on an autometer speedo autometer told me it needed to see 16000 ppm something like that. Hope that helps
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Re: Holley dominator efi..
The Dominator can output a vss signal to any output pin you want. Just have to know ppm on the gauge it's going to want to see to work . Dont know about the factory gauge but on an autometer speedo autometer told me it needed to see 16000 ppm something like that. Hope that helps
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Re: Holley dominator efi..
The Dominator can output a vss signal to any output pin you want. Just have to know ppm on the gauge it's going to want to see to work . Dont know about the factory gauge but on an autometer speedo autometer told me it needed to see 16000 ppm something like that. Hope that helps
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Re: Holley dominator efi..
Pros: all in one package no add on trans controller like other systems.
Alot of input and outputs. Endless end user customization.
Pretty much supported and used everywhere.
Uses same main plugs if you upgrade from a hp
Dual wideband, dual knocks if so desired
Holley forums and Holley tech line open on Sat as well.
Cons:
Wiring, going from a hp there is alot more wiring. In a dedicated track car who cares. Mines not.But I used to have my hp under the passenger kick panel and you wouldn't know it's there. Used factory route through fender like stock wiring. Upgrading to the dominator will be tricky where to put it. Wiring isnt long enough unless you drill right through the firewall which I didnt want to. So I live with it under the kick panel In passenger compartment.no biggie. It's a big ecu. This is on a traditional sbc with cnp. You have ls so wiring might be more compact.
Basically get some weather pack tools and good crimps. Bellanger motorsports I used alot.You will need to repin some stuff or may run across it or need to move or add pins or mistakenly pin something and need to remove it.
If your battery is in the trunk you will need to step up the power feed off the crimp to 10 g when you extend off the holley harness. There really isnt another ecu out there that supports gm trans in an all in one unit. So it's an easy choice.
Hope this helps.
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Re: Holley dominator efi..
You have far too much enthusiasm, which tells me you've not actually installed a Dominator under the dash.
You'll find that's not the case. I can hardly find a shop that will touch Holley EFI. They mostly do factory GM or Megasquirt. You will have to be your own support team for the most part. And you forgot to mention it weighs more than an average mother-in-law.
You'll find that's not the case. I can hardly find a shop that will touch Holley EFI. They mostly do factory GM or Megasquirt. You will have to be your own support team for the most part. And you forgot to mention it weighs more than an average mother-in-law.
#26
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Re: Holley dominator efi..
i would be interested in seeing pics of mounting the dominator under the dash.
i did mount my HP nicely under the dash in basically the same spot as the OEM with a custom bracket i made which also mounts the Dakota VSS box and my Fuel Gauge translator box for LS1 fuel sendor to work with the stock gauge. it fits great and is nice and secure, but i can't see getting the dominator to fit, but i haven't tried that either
from my perspective tuning my projects with everything from original 165 to EBL, and LS E38/67 and now holley HP, i have to say the holley in my opinion is the better option. to me the problem with the GM is there are really a lot of limitations and you are fully bound to really changing parameters that can do a lot, but is no where near as flexible as being able to make your own logic algorithms, etc that the holley can do. if you don't like to do a lot of your own tuning i agree it may not be the best choice, but if you do i think it becomes quickly the more enjoyable choice
the other thing with the Holley is basically you can use the same ECM for for SBC to LS / LT anything... to me that is very attractive as well
i did mount my HP nicely under the dash in basically the same spot as the OEM with a custom bracket i made which also mounts the Dakota VSS box and my Fuel Gauge translator box for LS1 fuel sendor to work with the stock gauge. it fits great and is nice and secure, but i can't see getting the dominator to fit, but i haven't tried that either
from my perspective tuning my projects with everything from original 165 to EBL, and LS E38/67 and now holley HP, i have to say the holley in my opinion is the better option. to me the problem with the GM is there are really a lot of limitations and you are fully bound to really changing parameters that can do a lot, but is no where near as flexible as being able to make your own logic algorithms, etc that the holley can do. if you don't like to do a lot of your own tuning i agree it may not be the best choice, but if you do i think it becomes quickly the more enjoyable choice
the other thing with the Holley is basically you can use the same ECM for for SBC to LS / LT anything... to me that is very attractive as well
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Re: Holley dominator efi..
You have far too much enthusiasm, which tells me you've not actually installed a Dominator under the dash.
You'll find that's not the case. I can hardly find a shop that will touch Holley EFI. They mostly do factory GM or Megasquirt. You will have to be your own support team for the most part. And you forgot to mention it weighs more than an average mother-in-law.
You'll find that's not the case. I can hardly find a shop that will touch Holley EFI. They mostly do factory GM or Megasquirt. You will have to be your own support team for the most part. And you forgot to mention it weighs more than an average mother-in-law.
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Re: Holley dominator efi..
Sorry, that's what I meant by factory GM (LS and modern LT engines). That's good news the Dominator installed in the dash! I'd really like to see pictures are your mounting scheme.
I don't think as many shops tune with Holley as you suspect. I went to a local place that was said to be one of the premier HP EFI dealers in the nation. He couldn't tune my car worth crap and I had to fix the mess he made! I've made a lot of phone calls around the midwest to speed shops with incredible reputations and MOST are not familiar with the software and said no thanks. I was finally able to partner with a local guy that does a good job, but I still have to do a lot of my own drivability tuning.
I have learned how to find them though. The experts aren't in the typical street car speed shops, they're in the shops that support professional race teams. They're hard to schedule with (they know their priorities) but sometimes you can get in.
Lots of hobby people out there with HP EFI though and many will lend a helping hand.
This is all likely inconsequential though because nearly anybody with a Dominator EFI system is hardcore and does their own tuning anyway.
I don't think as many shops tune with Holley as you suspect. I went to a local place that was said to be one of the premier HP EFI dealers in the nation. He couldn't tune my car worth crap and I had to fix the mess he made! I've made a lot of phone calls around the midwest to speed shops with incredible reputations and MOST are not familiar with the software and said no thanks. I was finally able to partner with a local guy that does a good job, but I still have to do a lot of my own drivability tuning.
I have learned how to find them though. The experts aren't in the typical street car speed shops, they're in the shops that support professional race teams. They're hard to schedule with (they know their priorities) but sometimes you can get in.
Lots of hobby people out there with HP EFI though and many will lend a helping hand.
This is all likely inconsequential though because nearly anybody with a Dominator EFI system is hardcore and does their own tuning anyway.
Last edited by QwkTrip; 09-12-2019 at 12:35 AM.
#29
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Re: Holley dominator efi..
That is the main thing to look at when getting an aftermarket efi ecm....who is going to tune it lol. If yourself get whatever you like. If you arent going to do the major tuning, then find a shop to work with and get what they recommend and are familiar with. Its gonna vary area to area
we have a few guys that know holley gm and others.
we have a few guys that know holley gm and others.
#30
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Re: Holley dominator efi..
Sorry, that's what I meant by factory GM (LS and modern LT engines). That's good news the Dominator installed in the dash! I'd really like to see pictures are your mounting scheme.
I don't think as many shops tune with Holley as you suspect. I went to a local place that was said to be one of the premier HP EFI dealers in the nation. He couldn't tune my car worth crap and I had to fix the mess he made! I've made a lot of phone calls around the midwest to speed shops with incredible reputations and MOST are not familiar with the software and said no thanks. I was finally able to partner with a local guy that does a good job, but I still have to do a lot of my own drivability tuning.
I have learned how to find them though. The experts aren't in the typical street car speed shops, they're in the shops that support professional race teams. They're hard to schedule with (they know their priorities) but sometimes you can get in.
Lots of hobby people out there with HP EFI though and many will lend a helping hand.
This is all likely inconsequential though because nearly anybody with a Dominator EFI system is hardcore and does their own tuning anyway.
I don't think as many shops tune with Holley as you suspect. I went to a local place that was said to be one of the premier HP EFI dealers in the nation. He couldn't tune my car worth crap and I had to fix the mess he made! I've made a lot of phone calls around the midwest to speed shops with incredible reputations and MOST are not familiar with the software and said no thanks. I was finally able to partner with a local guy that does a good job, but I still have to do a lot of my own drivability tuning.
I have learned how to find them though. The experts aren't in the typical street car speed shops, they're in the shops that support professional race teams. They're hard to schedule with (they know their priorities) but sometimes you can get in.
Lots of hobby people out there with HP EFI though and many will lend a helping hand.
This is all likely inconsequential though because nearly anybody with a Dominator EFI system is hardcore and does their own tuning anyway.
What I dont like about some of the wiring is like for example the fuel pump wiring. There is a relay and fuse. But its maybe 16 maybe 14 g tops feed green wire. So its redundant to the effect you have to take the green wire feed off Holleys pump harness relay to use as a 12 volt turn on ,on to another relay with upgraded 12g wiring to run a pump that pulls more amps like a 340 or bigger. Plus the run to the back. It's like 12-15 ft so running that long a run on 16 gauge is a no no. Things like multiple 12 volt key ons in the different harness for example. Instead of one you have one in the trans harness, one in the fp harness, one in the cnp harness. Things like that. Could they be consolidated into one? Yes, maybe. The hp and dominator main harnesses interchange. But a dedicated say main harness for the Dominator that y's 2 wideband would be an upgrade. On this setup you run one off main harness and then a whole new harness that runs all the way from header to the ecu is added for another wideband. As much as I dislike some of the install of the dominator I can say compared to the Fast xfi. I like Holleys end result much better. Fast doesnt do trams control, unless you buy a trans controller like an add on. The wiring on the xfi is noticeably shorter than the holley stuff. XFI I compare to the HP though. Both will fit under the dash wiring on the XFI needs to be run as tight as possible if using the factory ecu wiring route. Holley you can tuck it in under the fan box. On the Mega squirt I have never used it or seen one installed. Looked at the website and it looks like promising hardware. Just doesn't fit what I needed it for. So if it works for you that's great. That's what matters.
In the end I'm just trying to give op a little insight to what he may run across installing the ecu and wiring. Aesthetics and Ocd may play a part in some installs. Kind of like yes everything is plug and play but to give it the finishing touch things may need to be moved around and made to fit/ look correct. Hope this helps
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Re: Holley dominator efi..
You'll find that's not the case. I can hardly find a shop that will touch Holley EFI. They mostly do factory GM or Megasquirt. You will have to be your own support team for the most part. And you forgot to mention it weighs more than an average mother-in-law.
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