Holley’s EFI System is Dominating-Part IV

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Photo Credits:  Wayne Scraba & Holley Performance Products

In the last issue, we pointed out that the Dominator can be configured to manage a boosted application or a nitrous setup.  That’s a rather simplified explanation.  In truth, the Dominator is a full-feature system that includes an internal boost controller and an internal nitrous controller.  These aren’t add-ons. Instead, they’re easy-to-use, feature-laden controllers that can actually be customized by you for the application.

 

Turbocharger Boost Control…

As pointed out above, the boost control is an integral fully featured boost package inside the ECU with capabilities that completely eliminate the need for a separate boost control device.  Holley tells us that the Boost Control can be configured to control boost based on time, gear, speed, and manual inputs (gear based boost control is actually configurable by way of several different methods).  When setting up the system, you’ll need to determine the type of wastegate you are using (single port or a dual port style wastegate).  You pick the solenoid configuration, determine the control method and operating mode.  The Dominator includes multiple control strategies that allow the control of the wastegate dome pressure or control of the actual manifold (boost) pressure.  The “Boost Builder” system includes a launch boost target, boost scramble, and an extensive boost safety system to protect your engine from any component meltdowns. The neat part about the Boost Builder is that it provides the ability to build boost on the starting line by altering ignition timing, fueling, as well as nitrous oxide activation (a turbo and nitrous — talk about walking around with what amounts to a .45 strapped to your hip!). It can also be used as an anti-lag function.

 

This is what Holley’s Boost Setup screen looks like.  As you can see, there are all sorts of options you can select from, and like the rest of the system it’s incredibly user friendly.
This is what Holley’s Boost Setup screen looks like. As you can see, there are all sorts of options you can select from, and like the rest of the system it’s incredibly user-friendly.

 

Nitrous Oxide Control…

Holley’s Dominator includes a state of the art nitrous control built right in (and again, no need for a separate controller).  The controller can be configured for wet or dry systems, and it can also be configured for progressive or non-progressive systems (with up to 4 stages). In the Nitrous Parameters area in the ECU software, you actually enable each stage, the TPS trigger point, and lean and rich cutoff AFRs. In each stage’s setup page are controls for nitrous type (wet/dry, progressive, non-progressive) RPM trigger and cut off, delay, closed loop settings, and progressive control if desired. The progressive control can be either time or RPM based.  The time-based can be used to reduce power early in a ¼-mile pass, and as you can well imagine, that’s extremely useful for a tire limited application. Each of the nitrous stages includes a separate timing retard control that can be sequenced with progressive nitrous ramps to maintain optimum timing.  Obviously, in an EFI application, the use of a dry nitrous system is often preferred because of the more precise fuel compensation that a nitrous nozzle can’t achieve. The Dominator will compensate for extra fuel to the injectors to maintain the correct AFR (and it will accomplish this even if you’ve neglected to program it that way).

 

Holley’s Dominator EFI is also capable of controlling a water/meth injector arrangement.  As you can see it can be used with a conventional throttle or with a drive by wire setup.
Holley’s Dominator EFI is also capable of controlling a water/meth injector arrangement. As you can see it can be used with a conventional throttle or with a drive by wire setup.

 

Integrated Water/Methanol Injection Control…

We’re not quite done yet.  Holley also includes a water/methanol injection control within the Dominator ECU.  Holley notes:  “The sole purpose of water injection is to cool the incoming air/fuel mixture while the purpose of methanol is to add an equal part of a combustible material. The Dominator EFI system is unique in that you can program what percentage of water/methanol flow you desire, as a function of fuel injector flow. This allows for precise tuning based on engine RPM and load and for the engine not to be over- or under-injected.”

With this setup, you must use Holley Water/Meth solenoids and nozzles since they are flow characterized for the system.  The system allows for two nozzles to be controlled (nozzles available from 400 to 1000 cc/minute).  The ECU provides for complete control of the water/meth pump activation along with several low system safety features (it can even trigger a low reservoir warning).

 

Traction Control…

Holley has setup the Dominator so that it can operation in conjunction with Davis Traction Control (this requires the Davis Technologies Holley Module).  With this setup, the system provides for power reduction by way of timing, nitrous percentage or boost. According to Davis Technologies:  “When wheel spin is detected the traction control signals the Holley HP or Dominator EFI Systems to ramp the power back instantly to prevent loss of traction. As soon as the danger of traction loss is over, the power is ramped back in gently to accelerate the car.”

Davis notes that by monitoring the average rate of acceleration of the drive shaft, the system reacts to any sudden increases in that rate. Davis’ EFI-TC2 will automatically adjust to changing conditions.

 

We’ve talked about user friendliness before (repeatedly). Here’s a good look at how they folks from Holley have made things simple. There’s a gauge panel display available to you (for your computer). It allows you click on a specific gauge and configure it for your application.
We’ve talked about user friendliness before (repeatedly). Here’s a good look at how they folks from Holley have made things simple. There’s a gauge panel display available to you (for your computer). It allows you click on a specific gauge and configure it for your application.

 

Data Logging…                                         

Holley’s Data Logging package (included within the Dominator ECU) surveys all sensors at 100 samples per second. Standard data log items included in the Dominator are TPS, MAP, CTS, MAT, A/F, Target A/F, Closed Loop Compensation, Closed Loop Status, Barometer, Learn Status, Fuel Pressure, Oil Pressure, Fuel Flow, Injector Pulse Width, Injector Duty Cycle, Ignition Timing, Nitrous Ramps, and Boost Ramps. As Holley points out, “Data Logging is extremely useful for not only reviewing race history, but for troubleshooting as well. Holley EFI can perform both PC and internal (when a laptop can’t be present) logging. The number of items being logged as well as the rate of logging can be adjusted in the Datalog dropdown. Logging can be triggered by an engine start, immediately with an adjustable max on time, or triggered. It can be triggered by any input including RPM, TPS, nitrous activation, oil pressure reading, or a toggle switch just to name a few. Holley EFI has a data overlay feature which allows for a data log to be traced on any screen in the tuning software.  The internal logger has a huge 2GB of memory and samples all channels up to 100 samples per second.   This high sampling rate can be helpful when trying to diagnose a malfunctioning sensor. Each view can be saved separately for quick reference.”

As you can see, the entire Dominator package is pretty much all-encompassing. Every effort has been made to make the system user friendly, but at the same time, allow for all sorts of different parameters.  Ingenious?  We’d have to say so. Down the road, we’ll take the time to look at the hardware Holley offers for EFI applications. We’ll focus upon the LS motor side of the equation, and what they offer is considerable!  Watch for it.

As you can see, the entire Dominator package is pretty much all-encompassing. Every effort has been made to make the system user friendly, but at the same time, allow for all sorts of different parameters.  Ingenious?  We’d have to say so. Down the road, we’ll take the time to look at the hardware Holley offers for EFI applications. We’ll focus upon the LS motor side of the equation, and what they offer is considerable!  Watch for it.

 

Holley Performance Products

1801 Russellville Road

P.O. Box 10360

Bowling Green, KY  42101-7360

Website:  www.holley.com

PH# 270-782-2900

 

 

 

 

 

 

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