Commander 950 vs FAST and BS3
 

I am looking for a FI setup for my bigblock, and I noticed that if you're buying the manifold, rails, TB etc from Holley, its only about another $500 or so to get the ECU. Since BS3 and FAST run into the thousands, it seems pretty tempting.

The only downside I can spot offhand is that it needs an additional module to control low-impedance injectors, so with a large blower, I'd need to add that module and my own injectors later.

Other than that, are there significant issues I should know about with the 950 compared to the more expensive FAST and BS3 solutions?

Thanks!
- Dave

What, no Gen 7? They offer the best driveability (IMHO). Maybe Andrew B can comment on why their setup comes that way...

DFI is old and busted in comparison to BS3, not even in the same sport let alone ball park.

With a blower motor your going to be running some big injectors, when you price the driver and such it's not that much more for top of the line equipment. I honestly don't know much about 950, never had a chance to play with one. I have however had the origional FAST (not xfi), DFI, and BS3 in my hot hands and done some work with them. Fast is definitely the oldest of the bunch and it shows, things don't load as fast, no updates with the key off, and it's just missing a few features of the newer stuff. That being said it's still a great system and MANY people run it on some very very fast cars. I have it on my truck and it's more than adequate to tame my 408 on CA pump gas, and will control all the nitrous I can throw at it.

DFI has a better injector driver so it will power big low imp's and still idle great. I'm not sure at what point it makes a huge difference, and a lot has to do with your ability to tune the system. I personally ran 42# for quite a while N/A and the FAST worked great. When I droped the 83# in it idle quality got a little choppy. Not the end of the world but enough to notice.

After setting up one BS3 I hate playing with anything else. It's by far the superior system in every respect. The baseline tune is very easy to get up and running, you can make adjustments to the pcm for 30min with the key off , it has a great multi-stage boost controller, awesome injector driver. It's just about perfect for 95% of the applications right out of the box. Plus you don't have to run that $400 FAST wideband O2. It's the only system I've ever used that we went from a blank program, doing system checks, to on the road drivability tuning with in an hour. Try that with anything else, most people wouldn't know where to start with 50 blank maps, the system really walks you through it and gets an excellent base line.

Figure out what your budget is and what you want the system to do. You can find used FAST boxes for dirt cheap these days depending if you want sequential or bank to bank. Even a new BS3 is in the $1600 range, injectors, fuel system, and you can make it happen under $2500.

Cool. Have you used the auto-tune on the BS3 at all? Do you think its a useful feature?

I used to drive around hitting the L key on the FAST, and it sounds like thats somewhat automated with the BS3.

The only problem I could see with the BS3 is that the Windows software is sort of amatuerish... they should really get software guys for software and hardware guys for hardware: I could write a deadly UI, but I can barely solder :-)

Old and busted? Uh, ok...... You proceed to say that, then spend a paragraph extolling the less-than-virtues of the FAST? Despite not agreeing with you there, you do make some good points on the other stuff. The BS3 is what you make of it- basically Gen 7 code that Meany took with him (and pays for with each box you buy). I like 'em- no issues there. I just feel that a Gen 7 (as you pointed out) works for me.

Dave- What are your power goals & how much track / street time will this thing see?

I've used the first generation FAST and the BS3 on my two projects. They both work pretty well, but the BS3 definitely has some nice features compared with the old FAST (like customizable axes on the fuel/spark tables). The new XFI looks very nice as well, and the software documentation (online at the FAST site) looks clearer than the BS3. Also, the new XFI has switchable calibrations, which would be nice for pump gas/high octane tunes, etc.

But if I were on a budget, I'd go with the 950, which has worked well for lots of folks. There's very good knowledge and support on the chevy talk forum, including a very responsive Holley engineer (Doug Flynn).

http://www.chevytalk.org/threads/pos...=0&Board=UBB12

Oops, I see you've already posted the question on that forum ...

I was looking at the fast system, my project is a blown 500ci mopar, 8.5:1 c/r with a d1-sc at about8-9 psi, all street, very mild cam( even for a blower motor) nothing but 91-93 octane. but i may take a look at the bs3. all i want is a single tune, and just drive on it. the only reason im going fi instead of carb is for the streetability, its worth 2500 to me to just be able to start up right away, idle perfect, and smooth powerband. I will probably still use the fast... but the bs3 is looking more enticing.

The biggest high impedance injectors that are available are 65lb/hr. You can use those with the Commander without any issue.
If I was to do a project today, I would probably use MegaSquirt.

Andrew

I wondered when someone was going to bring up the Squirt... :lol:

Won't touch it with a ten foot pole!!! The BS3 in my mind is the best all around choice. Great software, comes with a very complete wiring harness, and a nice O2 sensor that doesn't break the bank to replace. Plus you can pick up some nice Kavlico sensors for fuel, map, etc and the drivers are a piece of cake to setup.