Posted By: TC@HP2
Wire harness upgrades and replacements - 09/30/14 07:25 PM
Finally making progress on my Challenger this fall. I'll continue working on it through the winter and hoping to hit the tarmac this spring. One aspect of it that needs to be addressed before then is the wiring, so I'm looking for some input on direction.
When decommissioned for rebuilding, the harness had degenerated to the point that it had wire breaks/shorts that made the dash lights intermittent, had killed the function of the turn signals, fuel gauge, and brake lights. So obviously a replacement is in order. However, I'm questioning whether a regular OEM style replacement is where I want to go.
Considerations for this are a few alterations from stock that make me wonder if a universal harness may be better. The car is still going to be street capable but will hitting bracket drags and autocrosses. Things I want to accomplish;
1) Battery in the trunk. This will necessitate a shut off switch and obvious wiring mods. This may also include a Ford style relay to avoid having a large, live wire running the length of the car. In my competition cars, I typically ran everything off the battery and used the alternator to supply the battery. Do I want to do this in a street car or run everything primarily off the alternator?
2) High output 1 wire alternator. This allows bypassing of the factory alternator and regulator wiring and will have more consistent output at idle. Do I want to wire this into the harness or go direct to the battery?
3) Dumping the ammeter for a voltmeter. Dash upgrades will be on the agenda sometime as well. Obviously allows me to avoid the whole bulkhead scorching risk.
4) Future upgrade capable. Aftermarket A/C is in the future for sure, maybe power windows or seats, or electric fans, as well as fuel pump. I don't need heated seats or entertainment systems, but I would like a few extra circuits for future potential.
5)Relocation of some control modules to inside the passenger compartment. Certain things like the MSD box, maybe the coil, methanol injection controls I want under the dash and out of engine heat. Wise decision or no?
6) Headlights on relay system to get more direct voltage.
7)General decluttering of the engine bay. I'd like to eventually hide all wiring so I'm going to need some length for rerouting.
8) I need to retain all original circuits and functions.
I'm inclined to head down the path suggested at MAD Electrical.com but want some input from others who may have headed down this path with past restos or rod builds. If it isn't obvious, this is not a stock restoration focus and functionality and efficiency are at the to of the list.
Thoughts, suggestions, input?
When decommissioned for rebuilding, the harness had degenerated to the point that it had wire breaks/shorts that made the dash lights intermittent, had killed the function of the turn signals, fuel gauge, and brake lights. So obviously a replacement is in order. However, I'm questioning whether a regular OEM style replacement is where I want to go.
Considerations for this are a few alterations from stock that make me wonder if a universal harness may be better. The car is still going to be street capable but will hitting bracket drags and autocrosses. Things I want to accomplish;
1) Battery in the trunk. This will necessitate a shut off switch and obvious wiring mods. This may also include a Ford style relay to avoid having a large, live wire running the length of the car. In my competition cars, I typically ran everything off the battery and used the alternator to supply the battery. Do I want to do this in a street car or run everything primarily off the alternator?
2) High output 1 wire alternator. This allows bypassing of the factory alternator and regulator wiring and will have more consistent output at idle. Do I want to wire this into the harness or go direct to the battery?
3) Dumping the ammeter for a voltmeter. Dash upgrades will be on the agenda sometime as well. Obviously allows me to avoid the whole bulkhead scorching risk.
4) Future upgrade capable. Aftermarket A/C is in the future for sure, maybe power windows or seats, or electric fans, as well as fuel pump. I don't need heated seats or entertainment systems, but I would like a few extra circuits for future potential.
5)Relocation of some control modules to inside the passenger compartment. Certain things like the MSD box, maybe the coil, methanol injection controls I want under the dash and out of engine heat. Wise decision or no?
6) Headlights on relay system to get more direct voltage.
7)General decluttering of the engine bay. I'd like to eventually hide all wiring so I'm going to need some length for rerouting.
8) I need to retain all original circuits and functions.
I'm inclined to head down the path suggested at MAD Electrical.com but want some input from others who may have headed down this path with past restos or rod builds. If it isn't obvious, this is not a stock restoration focus and functionality and efficiency are at the to of the list.
Thoughts, suggestions, input?
