High Fuel PSI

[Zmann]

My fuel psi is over 90 according to a brand new Auto Meter pro mechanical gauge tied in at the inlet to the Sniper using an AN adapter.
I did the search function on here and found a similar high PSI issue that was fixed by clearing the return line.

I have checked the return line hose for kinks and have removed it and blew through it without any backpressure. (I'm running from a fuel cell
on the garage floor 10 feet away with lines in plain sight and do see fuel coming from the return at a decent flow.)

So before I hook up another gauge to see if the Auto Meter is bad (assuming I can find a 0-100 test gauge in my shop).
I did read some comments on regulator issues is there a way to check it for an issue? It seems to ramp to 60 psi on the initial
prime, but as soon as the motor start the psi spikes.

I guess a workaround would be an inline return/filter regulator? EDIT: I just ordered a Holley return/regulator and cap for the Sniper outlet.
Oh, this is not an OEM Master Kit, but the fuel pump should be the same EFI System Pro shipped with this kit. Thanks, Zmann

[Zmann]

While I'm waiting on my Holley regulator/filter/return, I checked my new Auto Meter against another gauge, psi spikes to 90+ and stays there even with flow from the Sniper return. So my new gauge is good, that's nice. But either I have a defective Sniper regulator or a pump that is overwhelming the Sniper regulator. EDIT: Just checked my pump. Walbro GSL392 255 LPH 43.5 psi 87 psi 670 HP 540 HP

UPDATE: So I just installed a -6AN cap on my Sniper EFI regulator return, and installed my new Holley 12-875 $140 inline 10 micron filter with its own regulator, and return set at 60 psi (used the same fuel line I had originally hooked to the Sniper return), and my fuel pressure is now normal 65 psi. I wonder how many folks are running around with bad Sniper EFI regulators? And what the effect is? I'm still going to talk to Holley, but my troubleshooting really only leaves the Sniper EFI regulator as the problem, IMO.

[Danny Cabral]

The Sniper fuel pressure regulator is easy to disassemble and/or replace. It uses this same fuel pressure regulator kit: LINK. I would at least remove & inspect it, to ensure it hasn't failed because it's clogged with fuel plumbing debris. If so, I'd at least inspect the fuel injectors too.

[Gadget]

On my install and lots of issues getting it to stay running. I did a fuel pressure check. It pegged my 120 psi fuel pressure test gauge back around to the needle stop. Holley sent me another regulator that got it down to 90. It seems to be running OK with this pressure, but the duty cycle on the injectors seems pretty low at idle & cruise. Will just have to see how it goes. I have an in-tank Stealth 340 and it seems like the regulator may be undersized. I did an air pressure check on the system before I put it back on with the new regulator, and it did not lift till after 70 PSI. I think this is something that needs looked into. Jimmy

[Danny Cabral]

Holley sent me another regulator that got it down to 90. It seems to be running OK with this pressure, but the duty cycle on the injectors seems pretty low at idle & cruise.

The Sniper EFI should be run at 58.5-60 psi fuel pressure. I wouldn't continue running the engine with that much fuel pressure. I'd contact Holley Tech Service (LINK) and determine what's wrong.

Holley sent me another regulator...

Is THIS the fuel pressure regulator kit Holley sent you?

[Gadget]

That's it. This is my daily driver, so not driving it is a problem. I had the luck of good weather when I did the swap and could ride my motorcycle. I think you guys need to build a test rig and flow the regulators, both before putting them in the systems and before sending them out. Everything in my system is new from the tank to the air cleaner. The first one that came out had zero debris in the screen. I'm running an ACDelco fuel filer. It may be the orifice size is the limiting factor. Jimmy

[Danny Cabral]

That's it.

Thanks for the confirmation.

It may be the orifice size is the limiting factor.

I suspect this too. Your high output fuel pump may be too much for that small OEM fuel pressure regulator.

[Gadget]

If it's an issue it would be nice to know. Would be a good piece of information to clearly post in the sales information, so folks would know before ordering it. I have this tank and it's really popular for they truck guys going EFI or LS: http://www.fueltankparts.com/67-72-e...-bed-fill.html. Is there a inline regulator that you have experience with, that could be installed in the engine bay to test the system to see if it does better on the lower fuel pressure? I have some stuff left over from racing with mechanical fuel injection. I'll have to look to see if I have a high speed still in the box. I could set it to 60 and see what happens. I'm sure it will flow plenty. Jimmy

I checked the pump that's part of the kit is 80 GPH and the internal regulator should be good for that plus some I would think. So my Stealth 340 pump is 340 LPH or about 88 GPH. Not that much bigger but big enough to cause issues. Going by the specs on it, looks like I will need something along the lines of the 12-880. Danny, can you chime in on this issue and let us know what the flow capability of the stock internal regulator is and the design flow values? I think it would be good to flow some systems and see what you get. If it won't flow the fuel load the available options for fixing it? I think this will help a lot of folks that may be making the switch to the Sniper EFI and have a pump already. I have close to two grand in this conversion, and not looking forward to another $150 in parts to make it run correctly. Jimmy

[Gary]

I've been trying to chime in on this thread for several days, but I couldn't gain access. Finally. So I basically had the same issue as Zmann. My 100 psi gauge was pinned. No restriction in return line. I confirmed zero flow out of regulator return port. After unsuccessfully trying to get tech support, I contacted my supplier Performance Improvements here in Canada. They were awesome, again. They received a late evening reply from Holley Tech. They admitted to a known problem with a small number of units in the early build lots. The regulator cover clearance was not specced properly. The fix is a new regulator cartridge, plus a new regulator cover plate. Mine is on the way, no charge. Regards, Gary

[Gadget]

All I got was the regulator a week ago and no new cover. Still have the issue. It's better, went from pegged passed 120 and down to 90 psi. Jimmy

[Zmann]

Funny the regulator in the Sniper EFI appears to be the same replaceable regulator as the one in the remote regulator/filter 12-875 I used. That cleared up my high PSI issue, so the cover problem makes sense. I was actually not going to be comfortable leaving the problem unresolved, even if I do have a work around. I like to have zero issues down the road for others, if I ever sell this or just get old and forget that the filter/regulator was installed as a band-aid, LOL. P.S. When I had high psi, I still had flow from the return. As a mater of fact even with the problem resolved, the flow from my remote regulator looks about the same.

[Gary]

Challenge them on the cover. Better yet, I will copy & paste the reply from Holley Tech.

"Hi Andy. Rufus reached out to me about a customer you are having a fuel pressure issue with on a Sniper unit. This is something we have seen and it is an easy fix. I have the parts to fix the issue, I just need to know what color Sniper unit he has. It’s not a widespread problem, but the remedy is replacing the fuel pressure regulator and the fuel outlet cover. I can either send the parts to you directly to supply your customer, or I can send them directly to the customer. Please let me know how I can get your customer taken care of.
Ron T"
Ron Turransky
Holley Technical Support/Sales
1801 Russellville Rd.
Bowling Green KY 42101

[Zmann]

I just got off the phone with Jeff Teel at Holley.
They said the cover is not the problem and some of the regulators had issues, and that's all they'll send.
And I have to provide proof of purchase despite having registered the warranty.
So make sure you guys scan the invoice in some place safe.
P.S. I just sent that info about the cover to Jeff to research, thanks for that.

[Gary]

Additional info from discussion:
"Hey Gary. Apparently it’s a machining error in the cover that damages/effects the regulator function. And it’s not so much an error as they didn’t properly check or spec the clearance. Which is why some units in the same batch are fine, and others are FUBAR. And that makes sense to me because I know we have at least one gold unit from that batch in service without the problem, and we sold all of them. Yours was the first time I heard about it (which still sucks). The issue will apparently present itself immediately on startup or it won’t."

They feel that it’s a rare enough issue that they are not preparing a service kit (as in they won’t even SELL me spare regulator covers) at this time. While I am sure there are complaints online, people that successfully installed them don’t generally search out forums to post that something worked as it should.

[Zmann]

Well the regulator cover has a solid rubber bumper in the center that seats the regulator, so if anything was
too long, it would just be the bumper and that could be fixed easily, but I didn't see any damage on my regulator.

I there is also a small screen just before the regulator, and while I didn't find any trash on it, there seemed to be a film on it that once I cleaned
off the filter seemed to flow water as before it wouldn't. I will say I bet a lot of folks will strip out the tiny Allen heads trying to service the regulator.

The Allen size is small and the threadlocker they used is strong, not like you can use heat either.
I used my electric 1/4 impact driver to get them out safely, but I took my Sniper off the vehicle to do it.

I won't likely be reporting anymore about this, since I found two bent pushrods.
I'm going to stick to the external regulator and remove the regulator from the Sniper anyway.

Pictures of the regulator cover and center rubber regulator retainer: