AFI or Howell which to buy

[Willard]

So I have been looking at the AFI, Howell and the Sniper kit.
I ruled out the Sniper kit simply due to parts availability. Having to send the body to Holley to get anything fixed is a no go for me. I want to be able to get parts as needed anywhere.

So down to AFI and Howell. Sorry I have no interest in a 2F conversion as my head and engine is rebuilt.

Howell does no offer a distributor and it is tuned to you engine without spark advance.
AFI does offer a distributor and offers spark advance.

I have a re-curved distributor in a box ready to be installed. The question would be how important is the spark advance? I asked this elsewhere but it was lost.

Has anyone got experience with Howell? How do you like it, any issues. Both AFI and Howell have great customer support. Both are very popular outside of the Land Cruiser world.

I know @wngrog did the AFI and likes it. For you any regrets on the GM type distributor?

Let me know your thoughts. This is a big ticket purchase and one of 2 left (other being a Harrop locker).

 

[wngrog]

I’d do a Holley Sniper. That’s the best packaging. My next FI will be that.

 

[wngrog]

What parts don’t you have?

 

[Willard]

The problem with the Sniper is the fact if there is a problem with the injector for examp!e, you have to send the whole throttle body to Holley from what I have found out. While it seems to be a simple bolt on, the lack of replacement parts is a problem.
What the hell do I do if I am stuck far from home with a bad injector or something else. Send the whole throttle body in or drop by an autoparts store and pick up a replacement the same day.
I drive my rig not just local but on up to 3 week trips far from home and in some cases far from help. It must be trail fixable. With that the Holley Sniper is out.

 

[wngrog]

That makes sense. I get it.

I’m happy with the AFI. Zero complaints except the cheap ass fuel pump it comes with. I’d upgrade that and keep theirs as a spare.

I am a big fan of real David Unified Distributors and live wires. As long as it is a real US made DuI it’s a good setup.

That said if you have a nice new distributor ready to go do the Howell. Save that $450

 

[toyotaspeed90]

Megasquirt II......

 

[Seth S]

My thinking is to swap to the 3fe Head, intake, and efi rail/injector Mount and run megasquirt.

 

[FJ60Cam]

Full disclosure, I’m a Howell dealer (hit me up for a mud discount ), so take that into account...

I like all three systems. I recently tried the Sniper and have no complaints, only the concerns you listed. I still consider it an experimental system since I don’t know anyone with very many miles on theirs. But I like it. There’s a lot to play with if you like to keep fooling with stuff (or you can just leave it alone & drive.) I would do one again.

The Sniper was definitely easier to wire. The rest of the install was about the same.

As to AFI vs. Howell, unless you travel from low to high altitude in a single day often, vac vs computer dizzy control likely won’t make a noticeable difference. In the event you do transition, you can always switch ports on your dizzy. If you do change altitudes a lot, go with the AFI and the DUI distributor. Their stock dizzy is an aftermarket 62 style unit. The DUI is higher quality IMO.

Howell’s philosophy is that dizzy control without a knock sensor is pointless. That’s why they don’t offer it in the kit.

AFI is aiming for the entry level price point in the market and has trimmed things to make it as affordable as possible. Expect to change out fuel pumps, injectors, sensors, etc sooner. That may be in the first year, it may be ten years.

Howell doesn’t skimp on the parts. For example, theirs comes with a Walbro pump, which costs more. You also get more credit if you want to leave that out and supply your own. Also, there’s no additional charge for extra harness length.

(I’m not knocking AFI, I think they are solid, just explaining how each arrives at their price.)

One good side to the GM TBI’s is that parts are everywhere and easy to replace.

All that said, you can’t go wrong with any of the three.

 

[Willard]

@FJ60Cam
Thank you for the detailed explication. Good to know you are a dealer as well. I do not travel at high altitudes living in Virginia very often. I however take crazy 3 week trips out west into the Rockies and from the sounds of it, and my research is showing, my recurved Dizzy should be fine. My build on my FJ60 is not about saving $$, that is very clear, but about simplicity and reliability. Quality is important to me.

I will hit you up in a week or so..

 

[SteveH]

Read all the AFI and other reviews in the FJ40 and 60 forums.

RE: Holley - my brother and suffered with so many crappy Holley fuel pumps that were designed to work in a laboratory-clean environment (or 3 months on a truck - the motor wasn't even sealed) and various crappy Holley carbs, that I simply cannot buy anything that says 'Holley' on the box. I sure hope the Sniper system is a radical quality departure from my experience.

I have been driving the AFI system for 9 mo. - no failures of any kind. I'm still debugging a few tuning/fuel issues, but product support has been excellent and the life-changing nature of EFI on a 90 degree day is quite satisfying. I'm sure you'll find a system and will get it to work for you.

 

[nfranco]

@FJ60Cam Is the Howell kit CA legal? I didn't see anything on the website. Thank you.

 

[FJ60Cam]

@FJ60Cam Is the Howell kit CA legal? I didn't see anything on the website. Thank you.

No. There are no CARB approved kits out there, unfortunately.

 

[nfranco]

Bummer, thank you.