Holley Terminator vs. Fitech ultimate ls

[Steve 82 Elly]

Anyone wanna chime in on this one? I haven't been able to decide which to choose for my swap.

The Holley terminator X is well known and reliable but is just the ECM and harness.

The Fitech is nice because you can buy a whole kit that should all work together very well.

I've heard talk that the Fitech customer service is poor, I've also heard that it's not poor, just slow. Obviously, Holley customer service is rock solid. But if everything works properly you shouldn't even need customer service, right?

Anyway, I would love any input from all but especially those that have used one system or the other. Thanks

 

[pontiacgp]

A friend who owns a speed shop swears by the Holley set up. He has installed quite a few of them and they haven ever returned with any issues

I'm not sure what you mean the Holley only comes with the ECM and harness...

Holley EFI 550-1005 Holley EFI Terminator X Stealth 4150 - Black

The Terminator X Stealth 4150 1250HP EFI system from Holley features 8, 100LB/HR Fuel Injectors capable of supporting up to 650 HP naturally aspirated or 1250 HP on forced induction applications. The Terminator X ECU is capable of fuel map self-learning and ignition timing control, improving...

www.holley.com

 

[DSPbuilt]

I was on the same boat. I almost bought a FiTech system right before Holley released the Termi X.
I run a Termi x on my car now and it simply amazing.
All the shops I called about the Fitech i was told to stay clear.
They had a ton a problems, horrible customer support and tech support. Anytime someone would call asking questions they would tell people that something as simple as wiring diagram was a trade secret and they were not allowed to send it to a customer.
Now the Holley system has not been perfect but they are getting it together rather quick. There is some know problems but Holley makes it.
I like the Holley because it has a great support. has Inputs and outputs. You later swap to a Dominator and keep your harness. the self learning and closed loop is awesome.
I hooked mine up and were it not for all my injectors being stuck it would've ran.
The holley is well worth the money!

 

[pontiacgp]

I have the Fast EFI and as much as I like it if I was to buy a new system it would be the Holley

 

[Northernregal]

The difference between my holley HP and he Terminator isnt very big. I would not go any other way for an LS setup, support is great and lots of people have made great power and drivability with the Holley software.

 

[motorheadmike]

Oh come on guys... Just tune the factory ECM. It's "easy".

Go Holley.

 

[L92 OLDS]

Oh come on guys... Just tune the factory ECM. It's "easy".

Go Holley.

I have to agree here. There are so many trying to market their proprietary stand alone system when the factory GM stuff works as well or better in 99% of the applications.
I learned a lesson with stand alone systems when in mid 90's bought an ACCEL DFI system to run a crate LT1 corvette engine. The system cost $1,200 at the time and now that I want to tweak a few things, no one services it. I can't even buy the tuning software anymore.

 

[motorheadmike]

I have to agree here. There are so many trying to market their proprietary stand alone system when the factory GM stuff works as well or better in 99% of the applications.
I learned a lesson with stand alone systems when in mid 90's bought an ACCEL DFI system to run a crate LT1 corvette engine. The system cost $1,200 at the time and now that I want to tweak a few things, no one services it. I can't even buy the tuning software anymore.

The advantages of HPTuners and EFI Live are there, especially if you have a bunch of vehicles to tune in your stable. This was my best option in the late-2000s when I had a couple of cars with LS engines; it is now three LS-powered cars (plus, logging the HellKitty). So one tool met the need, and I've only ever spent an additional sum on two more credits. If I have a problem with an ECM crapping out on me I am only out of a small amount of money to recover. I am very invested in it (especially the learning curve).

Now if it was just one car and I was starting from scratch in 2020 - Holley all the way. How long with it be supported is a big risk.

 

[Streetbu]

A friend who owns a speed shop swears by the Holley set up. He has installed quite a few of them and they haven ever returned with any issues

I'm not sure what you mean the Holley only comes with the ECM and harness...

Holley EFI 550-1005 Holley EFI Terminator X Stealth 4150 - Black

The Terminator X Stealth 4150 1250HP EFI system from Holley features 8, 100LB/HR Fuel Injectors capable of supporting up to 650 HP naturally aspirated or 1250 HP on forced induction applications. The Terminator X ECU is capable of fuel map self-learning and ignition timing control, improving...

www.holley.com

The LS versions only come with the harness and ecu...

 

[DSPbuilt]

The LS versions only come with the harness and ecu...

That's all you need.. unless you want a sheet metal intake that will pop with any boost and kill all your power under 6k RPM