SNIPER WITH BIG CAM
 

anybody running sniper with cam that has big cam? if so what issues if any do you have

What do you consider big? I’m running 242/248 on a 112 in a 455.

In general, these systems can often support a cam that will produce around 6" of vacuum and higher without a lot of tweaking. A cam large enough to pull that little vacuum will likely still require some trial and error idle and off-idle tuning, but shouldn't be too much of a headache for either the Sniper or FiTech systems.

If the engine produces less vacuum than that, the systems can still function, but getting them to work properly requires a lot of manual tuning, outside of what is easily achieved through the handhelds. If you're getting into that large of a cam, you would really be better served with a different offering. If it has to be a TBI system, I'd look at the holley terminator. Tuning is more involved but that system has more capability.

231/240 with lca of 113 for ram 4 cam but i think i need to go down to
224/234 with 114 lca

what cam do you have and did you have to do special tuning to make it work

thats what i was thinking i want the sound of ram 4 cam but i nned to come to truth i aint going to get it i was advisde to go with crower 243 cam which may have little lope

You'll have no problem with that 231/240 cam with a Fitech - start out at setting 3 for cam choice on handheld.

If you want lope, you probably want to narrow up the LSA. spreading out the LSA will tame the idle on an otherwise large cam.

I run a 232/238 112+4 hydraulic roller in my 462. It idles near dead smooth with FiTech commanding my timing. The cams you are looking at will be no problem for a Sniper.

I am using Dave’s (SD Performance) 236/245 dur @ .050" lift .578"/.582" lift with 112 lobe sep with my Sniper. No issues at all.

did you have to do any extra tuning to make it work or did the base program work?

i have holley sniper but it does have selection for cams i assume if fitech works holley should also

Yes the Sniper and FiTech from a hardware standpoint are nearly identical. Both have some advantages or disadvantages in the software package.

While these systems are a great entry into the world of EFI, you should temper your expectations that it will be perfect from the start and that you’ll never have to touch it.

They are only ever as good as their installation, supporting systems and the inputs provided to them. Although they claim “self learning” they can never learn what your engine likes or needs, only what you tell it. If you tell the system to run on parameters that your engine doesn’t like, it’ll run poorly.

You should expect to within a short period need to make adjustments for cold start fueling and throttle tip in. Those two items are the most common areas that will need attention.

All that said, once you get the system installed and any minor issues ironed out, I can almost guarantee you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.

It should idle fine on the box tune with that cam. Once you get it up and running you will always want to tweak your tune up for optimum performance no matter what cam. Are you controlling timing with the Sniper?

no timing controll yet thats coming in future

Sniper running with a solid roller 256/264 a .050, 108 LSA.

Definitely had to tune with the laptop and did not run out of the box.

Get timing control if you can, not really worth having these systems without it in my opinion.

I agree, use timing control. You’ve got to wire the thing anyway, might as well do the ignition at the same time.

Better throttle response, better heat management, better fuel economy. In fact with the timing control you can run a larger cam and it will typically take it down over a basic advance curve with weights and springs. Allows you to make more power without sacrificing manners.

At the start I had a long way to get past RF gremlins (mostly but not only ground issues - old). After that the Sniper worked with the base tune, but I did plenty of additional tuning after that and it made things even better. About a year later I added timing control. I already had a MSD billet so I only had to change to a MSD phase kit.

i have been running sniper for about a year on the 350 thats in car now
i have tuned on it some im not expert but know the basics and plan on going to holley distubter next upgrade but im wanting to get my 400 built 1st and want have the funds to do both this year .i want to get some decent power in car for now and the low compression 350 anit going to cut it.im a good way in 400 right
now just picked up block from machine shop tuesday so i hop eto get crank and pistons in this week then im back to wanting on cam and lifters which i have not ordered yet since im still on fence i want the sound of the ram 4 cam
but i think motor would run better with voodoo 702 or 703 or crower 243
to hard to choose

I'm running a 242/248 @ .050 on a 110 LSA

Dad is using a 261/265 @ .050 on a 112 LSA Both are hydraulic rollers.

Both cars use a Super Sniper Stealth setup. Works fine.

Both ran on initial startup fine but I found I could make things better with some laptop tuning.

Going on about 3 years with both cars and still happy.


Something you'll read a lot about with these more rambunctious engine setups is tuners forcing open loop for idle, or up to about 2000 rpm. That takes CL compensation and learn out of the equation. I guess it helps some of these tuners to dial in idle quality better.

I haven't found that necessary. I tried it but found no advantage to it. If you know where the engine is happiest at idle (meaning AFR) you can still command that AFR and leave closed loop on and let it compensate and learn. If the base fuel table is dialed in properly you'll still achieve a nice steady idle that doesn't hunt or do silly things. I still have both cars this way and it works perfectly fine. In fact I prefer it with the elevation changes we deal with.

good to hear i dont have super sniper but should be same software i think this helps me make my choice of cams now

Using the Sniper in my '70 GTO with 461 stoker. Cam is the off the shelf XR288HR and have no problem. @.050 is 236/242/110.

Will be going to the same system on the 496 in the '73. Will let you know how it works. Cam is a Butler custom grind. 242/248/112 HR.