Rewiring?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 736
Likes: 1
From: Chester VA
Rewiring?
I'm strongly tempted to rewire the car while I have the motor out this winter. There is nothing specifically not working on the car that I care about (heater I can live without, horn would be nice to have though), but overall the wiring is a little hacked, brittle and ugly. I'm not a dunce when it comes to wiring, but this is still a bit intimidating. Should I just do the engine compartment or is something best to just knock out completely and do the whole car? I'm getting nervous this simple LS1 swap is gonna wind up with me taking the body off the car 
, I am trying hard not to get carried away.
, I am trying hard not to get carried away.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
There is a lot of 'engineering' work involved with such a project. The wiring presently in the car will not support the electronics on the engine, so you will have to decide if you wnt to use a combination of old wiring and the LS1 engine wiring set, or if you want to make up a whole new harness assembly. Someone may already sell a pre-made harness for what you are doing. If the money is not a big obstacle and you can locate a ready-made wiring system, it would eliminate a lot of headaches.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 736
Likes: 1
From: Chester VA
Sorry, I see the post was confusing because of my LS1 comment. I'll be running a carb on the LS1 along with a stand alone trans that doesn't use a computer. From a wiring stand point should be the same as a stock car.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Look at this way a new harness and fusebox is $500, either buy a harness,
or become an electrical engineer !
and completely rebuild your current harness and Fuse box.
The final answer is the condition of your fuse box.
Once you crack the fuse box open you can see exactly how it is put togther,
it will simple take lots of time to inspect, clean and repair if your fuse box is in repairable condition. Time or Money ?
69 VETT
or become an electrical engineer !
and completely rebuild your current harness and Fuse box.
The final answer is the condition of your fuse box.
Once you crack the fuse box open you can see exactly how it is put togther,
it will simple take lots of time to inspect, clean and repair if your fuse box is in repairable condition. Time or Money ?
69 VETT
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If the insulation isn't breaking off and/or the wires aren't so brittle they are separating, I would just keep the original harness. If some of the plastic connection pieces are broken, etc., you can find new ones at some auto parts stores and at lectriclimited.com . If there is a lot of damage & "Bubba"-work done to the harnesses, replace them.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
even if the wires are trashed, you can replace each, and every individual bad wire,
from end to end. you will have to open up the fuse box, it's only wire with connectors you can buy or reuse the connectors. The condition of the fuse box,
should determine if a new harness is required. Solder not just crimp every connection.
69VETT
from end to end. you will have to open up the fuse box, it's only wire with connectors you can buy or reuse the connectors. The condition of the fuse box,
should determine if a new harness is required. Solder not just crimp every connection.
69VETT
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 736
Likes: 1
From: Chester VA
Good info. I looked over everything more carefully today now that they aren't covered in grease 
. Nothing is too terribly bad, there are some wires that have been spliced or burned or have cheap parts store connectors, I think I'll replace those entirely as 69vett described. There are some wires too that just don't go anywhere, I'm going to order a wiring diagram for the car and figure out the mystery wires and replace and/or remove depending on what they were for. I was concerned mostly because most of the wires are real rigid and not pliable like new wires would be, this isn't a major concern?
. Nothing is too terribly bad, there are some wires that have been spliced or burned or have cheap parts store connectors, I think I'll replace those entirely as 69vett described. There are some wires too that just don't go anywhere, I'm going to order a wiring diagram for the car and figure out the mystery wires and replace and/or remove depending on what they were for. I was concerned mostly because most of the wires are real rigid and not pliable like new wires would be, this isn't a major concern?
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
If you pull the harness (Engine is easy), and lay it on the floor it is much easier to scrub clean and inspect, then repair or replace parts. I use citrus orange hand cleaner and a brush, wires will look like new. good luck ! 69VETT
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