race car wiring help

Does anybody have a simple wiring drawing they used to wire up there race car don't need any accessories just how you wired the ign. starter, coil, msd the wiring that used to make it start and run. Im starting from scratch its a Dakota race only truck the only thing im using is the original ign. key switch from the truck.
thanks

I used the ARC kit and I have to say it was very easy and an extremely clean installation. All the circuits are fused with relays. Its a complete kit, affordable and easy to install.

Mount relays close to their intended device. Fuel pump, fan, water pump, msd etc. Mount your switch panel, (and fuse block) if it's not integrated. I like using the insulated power studs from Speedway as a central power source on the fire wall from the battery. A second stud on a mounting plate for the MSD and junction block works well. Each relay get a ground and 12 volt battery feed. Use the battery at the rear for the fuel pump relalay. The alternator output stud for the fan and water pump relays. The firewall power stud can feed the insulated stud on the MSD mounting plate.. Then each relay feeds from its control switch. The switches can be battery powered (fans, waterpump) or ignition switch powered ( msd, fuel pump etc. I'll take a few pics of my diagrams for you later today. Once all the components are mounted. It's just a matter of bringing the wire back from the component to the MSD/dash mounting plate terminal block. Then from the plate to the switch panel. You can see the insulted stud at the right upper corner of the pic along with the terminal strip. More pics to come.
Doug

I'd recommend starting with a kit from ARC. They make a bunch of race car kits so just spend some time on their website. You'll help yourself a bunch if you sit down and list all the electronics that you'll be running in the car. The problem that most people have is they start off with just the obvious stuff then then start to add things like a line lock, two step, trans brake, etc. As they add stuff the wiring becomes a rat's nest.

when doing any wiring, neat routing not only looks good, it also makes troubleshooting easier as well.

ARC is what i have, it makes it really easy to do it neatly . Works really well

I mapped mine out first. Made the installation go much smoother . Also I have the map for troubleshooting if there is an issue.

MSD has wiring diagrams for all their units on the website, they even offer a book for those who don't like computers. I have never been happy with the kit approach to wiring, I simply mount all my boxes and modules, get a piece of paper and draw out the wiring connections needed. Do a little figuring on what gauge size wire to use and then start building a harness. My main problems are usually the lack of enough different wire colors so I don't have to use same color on different circuits. To get a good clean harness, no substitute for making your own from scratch, just takes a little planning. Lay the wires in place and just put one piece of tape here and there to keep the harness formed. Solder and heat shrink all connections, and don't completely tape the harness until it all works like you want.

I used the K&R kit. Easy to install just a little tedious to make it look nice. All the wires are labeled which is nice Also used Deutsch connectors for most devices.
I also heard good things about Leash Electrons relay boards https://leashelectronics.com/t/race-electronics-2
Electrical Depot is a good source for electrical supplies https://theelectricaldepot.com/

Thanks for all the good advice im Diy guy so I will lay it out as suggested and wire it from scratch.

I used to do them all myself as well. I have since gone to buying kits to wire them up, makes for a nice tidy package and speeds things up. I have used K&R, ARC, Painless, Smartwire and Speedwire. I now prefer Speedwire stuff, but its not for the faint of wallet for sure. I like having a main board where everything land with LED's to tell me if there is an issue. Also prefer the serial cables to the switch panel provided.

I was leaning to one of these and eliminate the stock key start.
Not sure how to bypass and use the ARC panel start switch.

Gutted the mid 90s painless wiring out of the Duster and have a Digital Delay switch panel and board.... now hopefully it’ll just install itself
https://www.racedigitaldelay.com/switch-megapanel.php

I will second the that the Leash stuff is really good, I have several of his products all top notch.

i still use the stock starter relay. Just use the ARC panel to provide 12v to the relay on the small stud.

there is some really good info on YouTube about automotive wiring ..... there is also some "bad" info, Have to be careful , but there is some good for sure.

This is what we did also

I wanted my starter relay in the trunk, and because the stock style relay had been less than reliable for me I changed to a ford style. I got a relay from a Jeep CJ5 with an automatic transmission. It is the Ford Style relay but requires a ground for the neutral safety switch like stock. It has worked good and I like having that cable only powered when I push the starter button.

My wiring diagrams.
Doug

The all in one boards, ribbon cables, kits, printed circuit panels, etc. are nice until something in them fails. How many people carry spares?

I still like to source my components, build my own system for the requirements of the car in question. And be able to carry spare parts and easily identify and fix any issue at the track.

I have specific ways of organizing and putting a system together. No kit really fits what I like to do. So why buy it and only use half of it?

I have to re-do my 70 Cuda street/strip car, and I have been looking at the Smart Wire....Expensive, but it does a lot. Thoughts?

Does it do more than you need? If so get what you need to save on the costs and excess wiring

Valid point, and I don't trust the ribbon cables when it comes to stuff like that.

My relay panel has extra circuits so in the event of a failure I can move two wires and be back in business. Being a street car I try to built in some redundancy and ease of service into the package and that works out well for the track also. Changing an MSD box on the side of the highway makes you look at your wiring differently lol.

Man,
You never cease to amaze me !!!!!!!!!

Do you sleep????

LOL

I agree with this .
If it’s a basic race car this is fairly simple . Draw it out . Look it over , keep it simple . As dvw said locate relays near the heavy loads and keep a spare relay in the race tool box .

Label things as it makes troubleshooting under pressure easier . Tag wires with a label, and label fuses and relays

i couldn't find a smart wire site.
do you have a link ? TIA !

Probably because they were bought by Holley:

https://www.holley.com/brands/racepak/products/data_acquisition/power_distribution_modules/

Thanks Doug for the wiring diagrams I've been drawing it out looks real similar to mine question what's the ign. wire with the switch looping back to the battery peg on the relay for? Is that required because it a push button start

The yellow wire with the switch is for bumping the motor for valve lash. It is mounted on the engine side of the firewall.
Doug

I would highly recommend adding a bump button like that, I am glad I did!

Talk about sanitary.....I'm impressed!!

Joe

SmartWire is what I have used for years, it allows you to do things that are not possible with the ordinary analog wiring. The only thing that I would say about this system is if you are computer literate you'll be fine, if not get someone that knows computers and programming to set it up for you. SmartWire is a typical PDM (Power Distribution Module) that is designed for racing. It has one power input from the battery and can be controlled by any number of switches you desire (both analog and programmed). The number of loads is up to you... all you need to do is program them.