Forced Induction Superchargers | Turbochargers | Intercoolers

Holley Sniper intake review

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-19-2016, 01:42 AM
  #1  
TECH Resident
Thread Starter
iTrader: (24)
 
sschoeffler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Oklahoma!
Posts: 761
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts

Default Holley Sniper intake review

OK guys, I was reluctant to be one of the first to buy it mainly because I couldn't find any hands on reviews. The intake is made in China which I really don't like. So I called Holley up and asked a few questions. One of them was about quality control. The Holley rep told me each intake is individually tested for proper craftsmanship and integrity. Each intake is pressure tested to 30psi. I asked if it was done in batches or individualy. He assured me it was individually. So what do I do? I check to see if it will fit under the cowl of my car. Cannot find any information on a 4th Gen fbody with this intake installed. So I think as but it for a few days and not willing to throw down thousands of dollars on a Beck or Wilson intake and not willing to sacrifice my wipers I call my guy Eli over at Tick Performance and place my order. Four days later I receive the intake. It's boxed very well. After unboxing and setting it on the kitchen table I'm thinking this thing is beautiful. Here's a couple pictures

Name:  20160517_173030.jpg
Views: 17659
Size:  142.8 KB

I then started to attach the fuel rails and first thing I noticed was gritty cap in the threads. Be sure to run the bolts through the threads first before attaching the rails just to make sure you don't cross thread the bolts. Now for more candy.

Name:  20160517_173009.jpg
Views: 16641
Size:  134.3 KB

Name:  20160517_173105.jpg
Views: 16932
Size:  324.7 KB

O-ring machining looks beautiful.

Name:  20160517_172917.jpg
Views: 16769
Size:  126.4 KB

Fuel rails look great. Come with crossover line and the two 90 degree fittings to connect it to the supplied -8an O-ring fittings. Intake came with a total of 4 O-ring fittings and one O-ring cap.

Name:  20160517_173319.jpg
Views: 16680
Size:  307.9 KB

Supplied intake gaskets installed

Name:  20160517_173756.jpg
Views: 17866
Size:  136.0 KB

Intake gasket comes pre-installed

Name:  20160517_172853.jpg
Views: 16602
Size:  151.2 KB

Intake runners look real nice

Now for the meat and potatoes, will it fit? Initially, no it would not. Did I make it fit?

Name:  20160518_200056.jpg
Views: 20129
Size:  167.1 KB

Yup... sure did. I took a small hammer a massaged the cowl a little bit. Not much but there is about 1/8" clearance between the cowl and the intake.

Name:  20160518_200051.jpg
Views: 18631
Size:  173.4 KB

Name:  20160518_200102.jpg
Views: 19611
Size:  174.9 KB

Name:  20160518_200113.jpg
Views: 17667
Size:  182.2 KB

So after being happy it fit and looking at my intake on the floor I noticed there was no revision for my MAP sensor. After talking to my fabricator he said I could use an old style map sensor and use one of the 4 vacuum ports on the bottom to connect it. After all was said and done I went to close the hood and it would not latch because the throttle body was too tall. Have not taken it any further but where it's hitting I think can be clearanced. It's hitting on part of the hood that has a reinforcement. Trim a small piece out and re-fiberglass it. Anyway that's about it for now and thanks to Eli over at Tick Performance for working with me.
Old 05-19-2016, 05:51 AM
  #2  
10 Second Club
iTrader: (10)
 
alocker's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: NW Chicago Burbs
Posts: 1,166
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts

Default

Looks good. I'm glad Holley revised the rails to take o-ring fittings.
Old 05-19-2016, 01:25 PM
  #3  
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Project GatTagO's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: The City of Fountains
Posts: 10,106
Received 1,394 Likes on 880 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by alocker
Looks good. I'm glad Holley revised the rails to take o-ring fittings.
Holley rails have used o-ring fittings for a really long time!

Andrew
Old 05-19-2016, 01:40 PM
  #4  
9 Second Club
 
stevieturbo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Norn Iron
Posts: 13,616
Received 179 Likes on 154 Posts

Default

IMO you would be well advised to make stronger rail brackets.

Supporting the rails from one side only, with a thin bit if metal is asking for things to bend and **** fuel all over your hot engine bay.

Or adapt the brackets so they pull directly downwards from both sides of the rail.

At the end of the day it may be Chinese...as if everyone didnt know. They do still look nice.
Old 05-19-2016, 03:10 PM
  #5  
10 Second Club
iTrader: (10)
 
alocker's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: NW Chicago Burbs
Posts: 1,166
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by Project GatTagO
Holley rails have used o-ring fittings for a really long time!

Andrew
Andrew,
You are correct but if you look at these rails that are not the standard Holley efi rails. Like in the post above, they are a revised version of the original China rails that used npt. Either way, this intake certainly appears to be improved over the original China versions.
Old 05-19-2016, 05:47 PM
  #6  
TECH Resident
Thread Starter
iTrader: (24)
 
sschoeffler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Oklahoma!
Posts: 761
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts

Default

The brackets seem extremely sturdy. Not for wrapping a chain around and trying to hoist the engine out but I certainly don't see them coming loose under fuel pressure.
Old 05-20-2016, 08:15 AM
  #7  
Dumb Ass Vette Moderator
iTrader: (20)
 
ls1290's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Colorado
Posts: 4,279
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default




Is it me or do those welds on the runners in the pendulum look really crappy?
Old 05-20-2016, 09:17 AM
  #8  
Restricted User
 
JoeNova's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Ohio
Posts: 7,194
Received 104 Likes on 87 Posts
Default

They were welded from the bottom. You're looking at the backside.
Old 05-20-2016, 09:20 AM
  #9  
8 Second Club
iTrader: (9)
 
ablakez28's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 790
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

Originally Posted by ls1290



Is it me or do those welds on the runners in the pendulum look really crappy?
Looks like uneven backside penetration or a small gap was being filled and we are seeing the backside of the exterior weld. Hard to tell from the pic. I thought the same thing.
Old 05-20-2016, 11:15 AM
  #10  
Banned
iTrader: (4)
 
thompson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 914
Received 17 Likes on 13 Posts

Default

Good write up, Thanks for the info. You will have to post up when you have applied boost and let everyone know if it balloons or not.
Old 05-20-2016, 11:43 AM
  #11  
TECH Resident
Thread Starter
iTrader: (24)
 
sschoeffler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Oklahoma!
Posts: 761
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts

Default

What you are looking at is the backside of the welds. They welded it on the outside of the plenum. I don't find any need to weld it on both sides. Remember this is a $500 intake, not a $2000 intake

Name:  20160517_172917.jpg
Views: 16562
Size:  126.4 KB
Old 05-20-2016, 01:11 PM
  #12  
UNDER PRESSURE MOD
iTrader: (19)
 
The Alchemist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Doylestown PA
Posts: 10,813
Received 13 Likes on 10 Posts

Default

The intake looks great... Hopefully it performs just as well. I see a pair of turbos... so off boost power isn't really much of an issue. How many cubes are you feeding?
Old 05-20-2016, 04:45 PM
  #13  
TECH Resident
Thread Starter
iTrader: (24)
 
sschoeffler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Oklahoma!
Posts: 761
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts

Default

Stroked 408. Turbos are BW S366
Old 05-23-2016, 06:06 AM
  #14  
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (7)
 
forcd ind's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: woodbine, md
Posts: 4,116
Received 230 Likes on 162 Posts

Default

Good write up-is the intake for a 92mm TB-I remember playing around with TB's there were 2 diff 4 bolt patterns, I think the 90 had a diff one than a 92
Sometimes you can raise the trans mount a tiny bit to dip the front of the engine for clearance, and not throw off the driveline angle
Old 05-23-2016, 08:51 AM
  #15  
FormerVendor
 
LJMSJohn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 473
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

On a 1200 rwhp F1x blown 427, that intake made 40 less rwhp than a stock LS2 intake.
Old 05-23-2016, 10:12 AM
  #16  
8 Second Club
iTrader: (13)
 
SLOW SEDAN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: No VA
Posts: 4,025
Received 944 Likes on 700 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by thompson
Good write up, Thanks for the info. You will have to post up when you have applied boost and let everyone know if it balloons or not.
I've had the ebay and the sniper in my hands and the Holley piece looks to be a lot sturdier. I have one here that will see some boost and will report back how it does.


Originally Posted by LJMSJohn
On a 1200 rwhp F1x blown 427, that intake made 40 less rwhp than a stock LS2 intake.
That seems odd since the similar styled ebay intake gained 52hp on an NA engine compared to a stock intake.
Old 05-23-2016, 10:32 AM
  #17  
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (2)
 
Black89Z51's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Newport News, VA
Posts: 319
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

To me, it looks like the stacks on the inside of the plenum would hurt more than help. Air coming through the TB is going to pile the side of the stack and create a ton of turbulence inside the plenum. Also, the turbulence is going to kill any velocity you have going into the intake. The plenum around the stack kind of negates the benefits of a velocity stack.

I think it would make more power if you cut the stacks off on the inside of the plenum.
Old 05-23-2016, 11:30 AM
  #18  
On The Tree
iTrader: (3)
 
brutalis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Fort Branch, IN
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by sschoeffler
Now for the meat and potatoes, will it fit? Initially, no it would not. Did I make it fit?
Yup... sure did. I took a small hammer a massaged the cowl a little bit. Not much but there is about 1/8" clearance between the cowl and the intake.
What kind of motor mounts do you have?
Old 05-23-2016, 11:44 AM
  #19  
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
sbcgenII's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Fort hood
Posts: 1,245
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

Originally Posted by SLOW SEDAN


That seems odd since the similar styled ebay intake gained 52hp on an NA engine compared to a stock intake.
And pro comp are the most powerful LS1 heads.
http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/...der-head-test/
Old 05-23-2016, 11:49 AM
  #20  
8 Second Club
iTrader: (13)
 
SLOW SEDAN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: No VA
Posts: 4,025
Received 944 Likes on 700 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by Black89Z51
To me, it looks like the stacks on the inside of the plenum would hurt more than help. Air coming through the TB is going to pile the side of the stack and create a ton of turbulence inside the plenum. Also, the turbulence is going to kill any velocity you have going into the intake. The plenum around the stack kind of negates the benefits of a velocity stack.

I think it would make more power if you cut the stacks off on the inside of the plenum.
Possibly but would it make much difference at 25PSI? I noticed the Edelbrock Pro-flo doesn't have stacks but rather beveled edges leading into the runners. It picked up a good amount over a stock intake, so much so I had to reassess my fueling situation. The pro-flo gained 58hp over stock in the NA intake test but I've seen boosted dynos gaining much more.


Quick Reply: Holley Sniper intake review



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:30 AM.