View Full Version : Failed Holley Sniper Regulator
Blitzboy54
02-10-2023, 09:19 PM
I am in the process of replacing all of my fuel lines. I originally installed the soft lines that came with the Sniper and I for a number of reasons decided that I would prefer solid stainless lines. I purchased all the equipment for the conversion and started prepping the car today. I turned the key on and the pump engaged like normal but I never heard the squirt that follows. I pulled off my air cleaner and sure enough all 4 barrels were dry. After some troubleshooting I discovered I have no fuel return on the outlet side of the Sniper. Zero, I removed the line and primed it.
I then disconnected the supply and fuel squirted everywhere. I ran the inlet line in a container and primed and gas flows like it should. I removed the regulator and found that the outer metal diaphragm had separated from the body completely. Effectively the regulator is now 2 pieces making it useless (I will post pics tomorrow). This is warranty Sniper that replaced my original and only has a few hundred miles on it. It worked fine in the fall and sat through the winter and just broke for some reason.
QUESTION - Since I am not thrilled with this and want to take the car on longer trips this year I am considering removing the regulator all together and putting an external one inline. Seems like it would be more reliable. Is there any reason I would need a return off the regulator? I would assume no since the sniper would still be used as the return. I'm reasonably certain it shouldn't matter as long as it's 58.5 psi going into the unit but would like to check my work
Thanks
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=179718&d=1676081774
Check Holley's website (https://www.holley.com/blog/post/how_to_choose_a_fuel_pressure_regulator_for_efi_or _carb/) as towards the end I think they are describing your situation. They recommend putting the regulator on the return side.
Blitzboy54
02-11-2023, 09:32 AM
Check Holley's website (https://www.holley.com/blog/post/how_to_choose_a_fuel_pressure_regulator_for_efi_or _carb/) as towards the end I think they are describing your situation. They recommend putting the regulator on the return side.
Thank you, I appreciate the response. I called Holley this morning. They gave me the replacement PN on the factory part (I already had it). He seemed miffed that it came apart. I asked about pulling out the Holley part and using an external adjustable unit and they said that would be the "preferred solution". He did say to put it on the return side though so that is what I am going to do.
I have heard several folks indicate their sniper internal regulator failed open, such that they had excessive pressure. For this reason, a separate external regulator serves as insurance. Either returning to the tank from the regulator or from the EFI as you are doing. This is the first I have heard of one failing closed, and a separate external regulator would not have helped. But, as you are doing, it will get you driving again if you remove the internal regulator that failed, for much less money and work than other solutions.
BradCraig
02-11-2023, 11:01 AM
Those internal regulators on the Sniper are known to fail. Long-term fix is external...as you are doing.
bingo2
02-11-2023, 11:44 AM
Search C5 Corvette Fuel Pressure Regulator. It is, obviously, the filter/regulator used on the C5 Corvettes. Regulated pressure is 58 PSI. I've had one on my Sniper set-up for several years without issue. I purchased mine from Speedway Motors as they have one with AN 6 fittings welded to the inlet and outlet ports.
Doesn't the C5 regulator use a return line to the tank? If so, then it will not work with the OP setup as that return is coming from the EFI
Doesn't the C5 regulator use a return line to the tank? If so, then it will not work with the OP setup as that return is coming from the EFI
You can deadhead the Sniper if the regulator/filter (or any external regulator) has a return to the tank. If you do this, Holley recommends capping the Sniper's outlet port (the one with the regulator) and using one of the two front inlets for the supply line.
bingo2
02-11-2023, 01:38 PM
Papa is correct. The C5 regulator is very compact and can be mounted very close to the tank to allow for a very short return line and a single feed line to one of the three inlets on the Sniper.
Blitzboy54
02-11-2023, 04:22 PM
I have heard several folks indicate their sniper internal regulator failed open, such that they had excessive pressure. For this reason, a separate external regulator serves as insurance. Either returning to the tank from the regulator or from the EFI as you are doing. This is the first I have heard of one failing closed, and a separate external regulator would not have helped. But, as you are doing, it will get you driving again if you remove the internal regulator that failed, for much less money and work than other solutions.
I hadn't either. Here is the leftovers. The plate separated from the body. After I deemed it toast my curiosity took over and I took it apart. The way this thing works is fuel pushes passed the holes on the outside and drives the diagram out away and lets fuel push passed the ball. the spring sits between the ball and the diaphragm. Once the front separated from the body there was nothing to push against creating a blockage. Not a bad design but probably hard to make reliable for the money they want to spend per unit.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=179790&d=1676149781
Ford & Jeep Fan
02-11-2023, 08:40 PM
Those internal regulators on the Sniper are known to fail. Long-term fix is external...as you are doing.
THIS is why I am so Leary of aftermarket EFI components.
BradCraig
02-12-2023, 11:50 AM
THIS is why I am so Leary of aftermarket EFI components.
IMHO...The Sniper marketing glosses over the reality of owning the unit. I have one on my Camaro and it's taken a lot of tuning to get right. If I had to do it again I'd use one of the more expensive multi-port options.
Mike.Bray
02-12-2023, 04:24 PM
IMHO...The Sniper marketing glosses over the reality of owning the unit. I have one on my Camaro and it's taken a lot of tuning to get right. If I had to do it again I'd use one of the more expensive multi-port options.
It's a low cost entry level EFI. You get what you pay for.
BradCraig
02-13-2023, 08:43 AM
It's a low cost entry level EFI. You get what you pay for.
100% true. If you follow the Sniper forums on FB you'll quickly realize most people don't understand that.
GFX2043mtu
02-14-2023, 10:12 PM
You want the regulator as close to the injectors as possible. Line losses can cause low pressure issues. Even bending a line differently can cause pressure changes if over a long run. I support using Aeromotive return and fuel lab return regulators for a forget it solution. And with in tank pumps you need a return line or you will kill the pump.
Blitzboy54
02-15-2023, 01:34 PM
You want the regulator as close to the injectors as possible. Line losses can cause low pressure issues. Even bending a line differently can cause pressure changes if over a long run. I support using Aeromotive return and fuel lab return regulators for a forget it solution. And with in tank pumps you need a return line or you will kill the pump.
I put it directly off the return side of the sniper. Seems to be working well.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=180014&d=1676423997
I put it directly off the return side of the sniper. Seems to be working well.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=180014&d=1676423997
Where is your inlet? It looks like you are using two regulators, the internal and and external.
Blitzboy54
02-15-2023, 05:38 PM
Where is your inlet? It looks like you are using two regulators, the internal and and external.
I removed the internal regulator completely. The connection on the closest side is the inlet. There is nothing in that cavity anymore.
GFX2043mtu
02-15-2023, 08:12 PM
That is the right way to do it Blitz. A quality external regulator is a solid investment to ensure stable and consistent fuel delivery.
I removed the internal regulator completely. The connection on the closest side is the inlet. There is nothing in that cavity anymore.
That answers my question.
Alan_C
02-17-2023, 02:02 PM
I forwarded the link to this thread to a friend that is installing a Sniper on his build. What I did not realize was that he had the super sniper. The super sniper does not use an internal regulator as it is designed to be used with a external regulator just like many here have upgraded to. So when you buy the next level super sniper, they have you use an external regulator. So as it was said, Holley obviously knows that their internal regulator is a piece of crap. This is demonstrated when buyers want a better system, the internal regulator is not used. So as it was said, with the entry level system you get what you pay for. It is sad that Holley sells the sniper with parts that are known to fail.
BradCraig
02-17-2023, 02:19 PM
I forwarded the link to this thread to a friend that is installing a Sniper on his build. What I did not realize was that he had the super sniper. The super sniper does not use an internal regulator as it is designed to be used with a external regulator just like many here have upgraded to. So when you buy the next level super sniper, they have you use an external regulator. So as it was said, Holley obviously knows that their internal regulator is a piece of crap. This is demonstrated when buyers want a better system, the internal regulator is not used. So as it was said, with the entry level system you get what you pay for. It is sad that Holley sells the sniper with parts that are known to fail.
Not sure how prevalent the regulator failure is, but it does happen. I've had mine for 4 years without issue. It's def a budget EFi with some budget parts, but thankfully most of the replacement parts are cheap and\or can be bought at any auto parts store.