Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This video documents me learning how to tune the Holley Terminator X Max Stealth Throttle Body EFI. Now that I have the oil consumption issue figured out, I am focussed on why it has been starting and idling so poorly when it's cold.
0:37 An overview of my engine combination
2:03 How it's been running recently
2:27 Today's weather conditions for the Cold Start
3:00 Some opinions about Holley Terminator X's "self tuning" ability on a stock engine
3:20 Oldsmobile V8 Basics: how to tell a small block from a big block & which factory iron heads are best
4:37 Back to my opinion of the "self tuning" feature
5:50 IAC explained & briefly showing Coolant Temperature Enrichment
6:25 Why tuning my 12 second 1968 Olds Cutlass with a 462 was easier
6:59 The game plan for today: tune the Cold Start Idle
7:23 Explanation of what you're about to see
7:49 Showing the spark table & sensor readings while it's idling too low
8:21 Target idle speed
8:55 What I think the problem is (not enough vacuum) and converting kPa to inches of mercury (in Hg)
10:39 Checking the timing to ensure the timing actually is where the ECM thinks it is
11:38 Attempting to show the timing
11:47 Explaining the Holley software's directions for checking both the timing at idle at when you rev it in Park
12:15 Why I was loosing timing advance as I revved the engine
12:30 How you compensate for either unwanted timing loss or advance as you rev the engine with the Static Timing Enable set
13:30 Showing the effect of loosing timing on a previous drive
15:03 Figuring out that the IAC is too high at idle and the timing advance may be too conservative
16:42 Some new revelations from the data log and video: how I know the engine needs more air!
20:45 Increasing the throttle blade stop idle setting in real time
22:50 TPS (Throttle Position Sensor) Autoset
23:55 Saving a backup of this new Terminator Global File
25:10 Another cold start with the throttle stop opened up 6%
26:15 Explanation of what happened this time (it's too much!)
26:30 Backing down the throttle stop is not that easy
27:50 3rd Cold Start - now it's a little too low
28:33 4th Cold Start with it bumped up a little more - Bingo! Clost to just right!
29:18 Getting to hear it idle
29:39 Figuring out why it's a little too rich at idle
30:40 What I learned from this...
31:22 Shout out to the engine builder
31:44 Closing comments & outro
Other related videos
"How to run Holley Terminator S/W on a MacBook!":
youtu.be/jlAuoeTZF0E
Here's the video with the first good drive and jumping on it getting on the highway:
"1971 Cutlass Ep 33: New Holley Terminator DIED!":
youtu.be/JRv7jEad7Fk
This video documents me learning how to tune the Holley Terminator X Max Stealth Throttle Body EFI. Now that I have the oil consumption issue figured out, I am focussed on why it has been starting and idling so poorly when it's cold.
0:37 An overview of my engine combination
2:03 How it's been running recently
2:27 Today's weather conditions for the Cold Start
3:00 Some opinions about Holley Terminator X's "self tuning" ability on a stock engine
3:20 Oldsmobile V8 Basics: how to tell a small block from a big block & which factory iron heads are best
4:37 Back to my opinion of the "self tuning" feature
5:50 IAC explained & briefly showing Coolant Temperature Enrichment
6:25 Why tuning my 12 second 1968 Olds Cutlass with a 462 was easier
6:59 The game plan for today: tune the Cold Start Idle
7:23 Explanation of what you're about to see
7:49 Showing the spark table & sensor readings while it's idling too low
8:21 Target idle speed
8:55 What I think the problem is (not enough vacuum) and converting kPa to inches of mercury (in Hg)
10:39 Checking the timing to ensure the timing actually is where the ECM thinks it is
11:38 Attempting to show the timing
11:47 Explaining the Holley software's directions for checking both the timing at idle at when you rev it in Park
12:15 Why I was loosing timing advance as I revved the engine
12:30 How you compensate for either unwanted timing loss or advance as you rev the engine with the Static Timing Enable set
13:30 Showing the effect of loosing timing on a previous drive
15:03 Figuring out that the IAC is too high at idle and the timing advance may be too conservative
16:42 Some new revelations from the data log and video: how I know the engine needs more air!
20:45 Increasing the throttle blade stop idle setting in real time
22:50 TPS (Throttle Position Sensor) Autoset
23:55 Saving a backup of this new Terminator Global File
25:10 Another cold start with the throttle stop opened up 6%
26:15 Explanation of what happened this time (it's too much!)
26:30 Backing down the throttle stop is not that easy
27:50 3rd Cold Start - now it's a little too low
28:33 4th Cold Start with it bumped up a little more - Bingo! Clost to just right!
29:18 Getting to hear it idle
29:39 Figuring out why it's a little too rich at idle
30:40 What I learned from this...
31:22 Shout out to the engine builder
31:44 Closing comments & outro
Other related videos
"How to run Holley Terminator S/W on a MacBook!":
youtu.be/jlAuoeTZF0E
Here's the video with the first good drive and jumping on it getting on the highway:
"1971 Cutlass Ep 33: New Holley Terminator DIED!":
youtu.be/JRv7jEad7Fk
