For as nice as it would be to be financially well-endowed, most of us gearheads fall into that upper-middle-class tax bracket. This means that covering school tuition and paying off that mortgage will always take precedence over that expensive standalone engine management solution you’ve always wanted. But thanks to a recent release from Holley Performance Products, Inc. that’s all about to change, and no, we’re not talking about dropping out of college and moving back in with your parents.
Looking to provide the commonwealth with an engine tuning solution that packs more perks than any other standalone product on the market, Holley’s all-new Terminator X and X Max Gen V ECU Kits arrive on the scene with the GM LT1, L83, and L86 engine in mind. While there are numerous other platforms that this all-new EFI line-up from Holley supports, our focus today remains on the aforementioned motors, and here’s why.
If you’ve ever attempted to tune the factory ECU on a modern GM L-Series engine, you fully understand why Holley refers to this stock setup as a “cumbersome tuning interface.”
Taking complete control of an engine brings with it a staggering amount of risk and reward, which is one of the primary reasons why Holley released the Terminator Series for the GM L-Series. Combining self-learning fuel strategies with the race-winning technology that is Holley EFI, all at a surprisingly reasonable starting price is this kit’s primary purpose on this planet. How reasonable, you ask? Try the $2,000-ish range on for starters, and then consider the following features that come with this standalone tuning setup as justification for our unbridled excitement.
Affordability flaunted, we turn toward the performance perks packed into each of these potent electronic packages. According to Holley, every Terminator X kit comes with a real-time fuel learn, an integrated 1-bar MAP sensor, and four programmable inputs and outputs. This last touch provides a fantastic solution for those in search of more expansive fine-tuning, as both the input and output side of this system allows electric fans, boost control solenoid, progressive nitrous control, and more to become an easily manageable affair.
Each Terminator X kit comes pre-loaded with a series of base maps that support popular LT engine combinations, which makes the use of the included 3.5-inch handheld touchscreen a cinch to initiate and navigate. This is especially useful when it’s time for tuning and gauge display tweaking in a swapped older chassis, where a dedicated touchscreen display is not always an option.
Gen V LT Terminator X kits also sport an external GDI Controller for those who are still on stock injectors, full management of the Gen V LT’s Variable Valve Timing (VVT) system, along with control of factory fueling from the pump forward. Holley even went the extra quarter mile to include an entire software suite with each standalone, a nice little add-on for those in search of more in-depth laptop tuning.
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All tallied up, the recently unleashed Terminator EFI X line from Holley appears to be on the verge of becoming recognized as one of the most comprehensive tuning solutions on the market today. The fact that it is intended for beginners with LT swapped street machines and dedicated track monsters alike really add weight to the “all-in-one” marketing jargon that comes along with this electronic system. Pair that with the Terminator X standalone’s surprisingly affordable starting price, and you’ve got one of the best values on the tuning market today.
One final note that Holley offers, revolves around the act of determining which Terminator X kit is right for you and your ride. In order to identify whether that engine you wish to tune is an early or late L-Series application, all one has to do is take a glance at their fuel pressure sensor. Located behind the intake manifold, early versions receive power via a 4-pin connector, while 3-pin connectors are purely a late model affair.
Terminator X EFI Key Features:
- Plug and play GM Gen V LT engine control including GDI and VVT support
- Ideal for swapping late model GM Gen V LT engines into vintage vehicles
- 3.5” handheld gets your engine running in no time with a step-by-step calibration wizard
- GM LS and LT Drive-by-Wire Throttle Body Control (Terminator X Max Only)
- GM 4L60 and 4L80 Transmission Control (Terminator X Max Only)
- Included engine harness plugs directly into the factory LT DI injector sub-harness
- OEM Injectors supported, with part numbers provided in the handheld wizard, or software
- Genuine Bosch LSU 4.9 Wideband Control (Will not work with LSU 4.2 Oxygen Sensors)• Genuine Bosch LSU 4.9 Wideband Control (Will not work with LSU 4.2 Oxygen Sensors)
- On-Board Diagnostic LEDS for: ECU Power – Engine Run – Wideband Status – TPS Calibration – Crank Signal – Cam Signal – VVT Status – Pump Control – and DI Injectors. Allowing you to identify any Critical engine issues at a glance
- Built-in 1bar MAP Sensor, vacuum hose adapters included (1/8th – ¼ and 3/16ths) – or for Boosted applications, you can disable the internal MAP sensor, and utilize an external LT MAP Sensor, the harness comes with the connector terminated, making the inst
- 4 Inputs – 12v, Ground, 5v, and Frequency, for things such as additional pressure sensors, or activation triggers for nitrous activation, or a trans brake (Fuel and Oil Pressure Inputs are pre-terminated)
- 4 Outputs – Ground, PWM, for accessories such as; fans, boost control, nitrous control, IAC Kit, and more
- Boost Control – Boost vs Time, Boost vs Gear, Boost vs RPM, Boost vs Speed, Boost Safeties
- Nitrous Control – Single Channel of Wet or Dry, Progressive or Non-Progressive, Rich/Lean Safeties, and target Closed Loop AFR
- Advanced Tables – 4x 1D Tables, 1x 1D per Gear Table, 4x 2D Tables, 1x 2D per Gear Table
- Integrated data logging to the 3.5” Handheld SD Card
- Free EFI Tuning Software for complete control of your Terminator X power plant
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