View Full Version : Holley Super Sniper / HyperSpark Questions
erstanl
02-25-2020, 01:23 PM
Howdy. Putting together my 408 using a 1994 roller 351W block, and I am using a Holley Super Sniper 550-516, with the corresponding HyperSpark system. I am stuck though on which type of gear I need for the distributor. The cam is from Comp, its a custom grind for Levy, part number 35-000-8 and its made of austempered ductile iron.
I am getting a lot of conflicting info on what gear to use. Comp says to use nothing but a melonized gear. Holley says they can do that, but I have heard experience from others that this is a royal pain to get them to do. The Holley Hyperspark documentation specifically says that they ship all distributors with a hardened steel gear that works on all cams except billet. Some folks have recommended using a cast gear.
So, Im reaching out to the crowd, maybe someone who has this setup to see what your thoughts/experience have been. This is less than clear to me.
rich grsc
02-25-2020, 01:45 PM
austempered ductile iron, thats the same as melonized so that is correct, but a steel gear is what you use with billet cam. Steel on steel, iron on iron. I find it amazing that Holley would say you can't use a steel gear on a billet cam, completely backwards. I run a TrickFlow billet cam, instructions specifically said the distributer must use a steel gear. Call Holley and have them put it in writing that they will repair any and all damage
Greg K
02-25-2020, 01:55 PM
A hardened gear is compatible with your cam if the gear is in fact hardened. I'm seeing that they ship with cast gear on Holley's website, https://www.holley.com/products/ignition/distributors/hyperspark_distributors/parts/565-302
You may need this gear: https://www.holley.com/products/ignition/distributors/distributor_accessories/distributor_gears/parts/85834
See this table here: https://help.summitracing.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/4904/~/which-distributor-gear-should-i-buy%3F
erstanl
02-25-2020, 02:22 PM
Straight out of the Holley documentation https://documents.holley.com/199r11031r.pdf page 30:
NOTE: Holley distributors comes with a hardened steel distributor gear that should be compatible with all
applications, other than a billet steel camshaft. If a billet steel camshaft is used, a bronze gear is
recommended.
Geoff H
02-25-2020, 02:23 PM
Just a suggestion, but if by Levy you mean Gordon, I would ask him. Could be he has installed the same set up and would have answers.
erstanl
02-25-2020, 02:49 PM
Geoff, well I did that first thing, and the recommendation was cast. That goes against what I thought I knew about the metallurgy between a cam and a distributor. So I started looking around, and the information is all over the place. That is how I ended up here.
Geoff H
02-25-2020, 03:19 PM
I see the challenge then and totally agree it's not something you want to make any guesses on.
For what it's worth I installed a Holley Dual Sync with the sniper on my 5.0L with the a Comp Cams XE266HR. Did not change the dizzy gear based on a call with Comp Cams and then Holley. No issues to date.
Greg K
02-25-2020, 04:11 PM
That page of your document references the Dual Sync distributors, you have the Hyperspark distributor correct?
Straight out of the Holley documentation https://documents.holley.com/199r11031r.pdf page 30:
NOTE: Holley distributors comes with a hardened steel distributor gear that should be compatible with all
applications, other than a billet steel camshaft. If a billet steel camshaft is used, a bronze gear is
recommended.
erstanl
02-25-2020, 04:24 PM
Greg, I actually don't have either. I am trying to decide which one I need. Right now its between the dual-sync and the hyper-spark. If one had the correct gear material (whatever that may be), I would choose that.
It makes more sense to get the hyper-spark for sure, but if the gear is not correct, and that dual-sync had the right gear I would go that route. Both are compatible with the overall system.
Greg K
02-25-2020, 06:35 PM
The dual sync has the right one for your application. Good Luck
The hyperspark has a cast gear and it must be replaced with a steel one. You need to have the gear pressed on and off. The Dual Sync comes with a steel gear. If you are interested I have a virtually new Dual Sync that I just removed from a 408 that I made about 10 dyno pulls on. We changed intakes and it requires a low profile Dual Sync distributor for clearance. Shoot me a private message if interested. Not sure on the price as it belongs to a customer but it should save you some money.
FF33rod
02-26-2020, 12:12 AM
Had the similar situation - Hyperspark distributor with a Trickflow cam. Had to have the dizzy gear changed out to be compatible. The gear is a ridiculous price and then I had a local shop change it out for another silly price.... If the dual sync has the right gear from the start, I'd go with that.
Steve
erstanl
02-26-2020, 10:56 AM
The dual sync has the right one for your application. Good Luck
Sir, what is your source on this info? I sure hope you are right :)
Maybe just answered my own question: https://www.holley.com/products/fuel_systems/fuel_injection/dual_sync_distributors/parts/565-201
GoDadGo
02-26-2020, 11:30 AM
Gentlemen,
Remember that fuel injection systems work best when your camshaft lobe separation is at or around 112-114 degrees.
Cams with shorter separations 108-110 don't seem to play as well with camshafts with this overlap range.
Steve
erstanl
02-26-2020, 02:15 PM
Had the similar situation - Hyperspark distributor with a Trickflow cam. Had to have the dizzy gear changed out to be compatible. The gear is a ridiculous price and then I had a local shop change it out for another silly price.... If the dual sync has the right gear from the start, I'd go with that.
Steve
Which gear material did you switch to?
erstanl
02-26-2020, 02:16 PM
Gentlemen,
Remember that fuel injection systems work best when your camshaft lobe separation is at or around 112-114 degrees.
Cams with shorter separations 108-110 don't seem to play as well with camshafts with this overlap range.
Steve
GoDad, I am sitting at 112. Thanks for the info!
weendoggy
02-27-2020, 10:18 AM
Greg, I actually don't have either. I am trying to decide which one I need. Right now its between the dual-sync and the hyper-spark. If one had the correct gear material (whatever that may be), I would choose that.
It makes more sense to get the hyper-spark for sure, but if the gear is not correct, and that dual-sync had the right gear I would go that route. Both are compatible with the overall system.
Get the DS. I've put several in HP systems (including Sniper) without any issues. Gear will be fine. Downside is you pay about $100 more for it, but the upside is you won't have to buy another distributor if you (or someone else) decides to put a Multi-Port system on. Get the correct de-pin tool and terminals so you can shorten some of the wires from the system. No need to clutter an engine bay with those.
FF33rod
02-27-2020, 12:24 PM
Which gear material did you switch to?
Sorry, been travelling.
Steel cam, steel gear... The standard iron gear will either break or wear premature. I double checked with Trickflow to make sure I was getting the right gear before I did the swap.
Steve
erstanl
02-28-2020, 02:24 PM
So after more conversation with Holley and Comp I have decided to go with the Dual-Sync. Seems like both Holley and Comp need to do a better job of training and or documenting their products. This should be a simple question to answer. In the end I have talked to 4 Comp reps, and 3 Holley reps. There was very little correlation between their responses. That said I do like the products they offer. Thanks everyone for your input!
One thing to mention is that Holley claims all their gears have a melonized coating. Other than that the only consistent message I got from Comp was to NOT use a cast gear.