BUILD-OFF CHALLENGE: Tygaboy's '75 LS3, It seemed a good idea at the time... Options

[djway]

Automobilia de Artista

[Dion]

Adding lightness (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Chris, I think Colin Chapman would totally approve this chassis.
Looking awesome.

[tygaboy]

See, I promised I'd get back to the wiring. And I'm sure learning a lot about it, I'll tell you that. Today was completing all but one of the "back of the engine" sensor connections.

I still have the MAT (manifold air temp) sensor left and the thing is, it's used to being threaded into an enclosed intake manifold. With the ITBs and no air box, I don't have anything enclosed.

I spoke with the tech folks at Borla (they make these ITBs) and I was told I can mount the MAP sensor "in the general area of the stacks" and that'll work.

OK then. So I need to make some sort of semi-attractive bracket to hold the sensor before I can determine the wire length.

All that said, what you see is all that will be visible. I'm happy with how little that's turning out to be. And once I get it covered with tidy loom/wrap, it should all but disappear. Only about 1Mx better than that factory harness I started with.

[djway]

If you do that clear box can you put the MAT right by one of the inlets?

[76-914]

Chris, have you purchased your loom material yet? I was over at Rudy's (Curbandgutter) last week and he had some really sexy loom he is using on his Monster. I hadn't seen that material before but I like it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[Rand]

Sorry @Rand , I just can't seem to focus on "get it running, then worry about the fancy stuff."

Feelin' the love (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
Every detail is a work of art. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sunglasses.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[tygaboy]

Chris, have you purchased your loom material yet? I was over at Rudy's (Curbandgutter) last week and he had some really sexy loom he is using on his Monster. I hadn't seen that material before but I like it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

@76-914 Kent, I have some nylon sorta split wrap that came with the Holley harness. It's not bad but I'd be interested to learn about other options. I'll PM Rudy but if you have any info, please pass it along. And thanks for the heads up!

[76-914]

Chris, have you purchased your loom material yet? I was over at Rudy's (Curbandgutter) last week and he had some really sexy loom he is using on his Monster. I hadn't seen that material before but I like it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

@76-914 Kent, I have some nylon sorta split wrap that came with the Holley harness. It's not bad but I'd be interested to learn about other options. I'll PM Rudy but if you have any info, please pass it along. And thanks for the heads up!

Hmm. That may be the same. IIRC, his resembled what you've described. It wrapped tightly around itself about 1.5 turns allowing for expansion or easy access to the wiring. Light, durable and pleasing to look at. I'll be back to Rudy's after the 4th and tell him to reach out to you if he hasn't already, Chris. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[tygaboy]

MAT sensor location solved. Funny how things work out:
Because the ITB kit is designed as "engine in front", I had to move the throttle cable stop to the other end of the valley tray (see a long time ago posts for details).

So as I was poking around trying to determine where I might mount the MAT sensor, I noticed the spot where the throttle stop would normally be...

I whipped up a neat little reinforced bracket and completed the connector wiring. Done and done. If I do make an air box at some point, I'll just be sure there's a spot for the MAT sensor. Until then, this should work.

Yes, the pic makes it look like the bracket is close to the throttle linkage but there's plenty of room.

[Andyrew]

That split stuff is way more expensive than the expanding stuff I used. I tried to find more of it when I was doing it but I just didnt like how it rolled. Also it needed to be tied or taped every foot or so to keep it from rolling out.

Im sure Chris will find an elegant solution to this issue (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

It is MUCH easier to use than the stuff I used though as you dont have to worry about getting everything right before you put connectors on.

[tygaboy]

That split stuff is way more expensive than the expanding stuff I used. I tried to find more of it when I was doing it but I just didnt like how it rolled. Also it needed to be tied or taped every foot or so to keep it from rolling out.

Im sure Chris will find an elegant solution to this issue (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

It is MUCH easier to use than the stuff I used though as you dont have to worry about getting everything right before you put connectors on.

@Andyrew Yep, you nailed it: it's waaaay easier to do the loom wrapping afterwards. I used your expanding / non-split stuff on the injector harness and I really liked it but I'm going with the split on the rest of the harness. With most of the harness hidden, I think it'll look and work just fine.

[tygaboy]

OK, here's V1 of the loom wrap. Not bad, but:
There are 2, 3 or 4 20 ga wires in each of those leads that go to the connectors and I think there's a smaller diameter version of this wrap that will take some of the visual bulk away so I may try and source that and give it a try.

Again, not bad and I can live with it until / unless I find something that's a better fit.

[tygaboy]

Before/after.
Admittedly, I have to add the passenger side injector harness but, I'd say it's a bit tidier than what I started with, eh? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

[djway]

To anyone out there looking at all this on your phone, put it down and go to your computer.
This car is too beautiful to waste on a small screen.

[tygaboy]

In no way is my stuff comparable, but I do agree with Singer that "Everything is important".

So if you have to make a spacer for the MAT sensor, why NOT take a little extra time to add some style points and make it tapered vs plain?

[76-914]

That looks good. Did you turn that, Chris? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[bbrock]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif) So life has gotten in the way and it has been a few weeks since I checked in on what the master fabricator was up to. I click on the last page of the thread and this pic fills my screen. So many thoughts... so many words rushing through my head... but really, what CAN be said? This pic says it all. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads/post-2766-1593513096.jpeg)

[tomeric914]

Probably way too late now and kind of a PITA to use unless you plan ahead, but I use what is referred to as "Chemical-Resistant Tube Sleeving" from Mcmaster. It's the closest thing to what the 914 wiring harness is in.

https://www.mcmaster.com/catalog/126/929/

Sorry for the late reply... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[tygaboy]

OK, so maybe not that exciting to most of you but this is the first sign of life in the chassis since I've owned it!

I completed the tail lights harness and everything tested out 100% - SUCCESS! Yes, that little right side running lamp is out but I swapped it side to side and all's well.

To test the harness, I have a probe that can be connected to any circuit and send 12V + or ground into it. In this example, I'm just flipping the 12v + into the tail light circuit.

It's a great little unit in that, as you can hear, as soon as you connect it to the circuit, if it senses things are good, it sounds that initial tone. Flip the power to it and the tone changes to let you know things are working. So you can actually test things like lights without having to actually see them illuminate. Neat. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMS9ypMKYys

[tygaboy]

Probably way too late now and kind of a PITA to use unless you plan ahead, but I use what is referred to as "Chemical-Resistant Tube Sleeving" from Mcmaster. It's the closest thing to what the 914 wiring harness is in.

https://www.mcmaster.com/catalog/126/929/

Sorry for the late reply... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

@tomeric914 - No worries. I opted for the split stuff as it's far simpler to install, as you point out. Plus, it can be easily removed for any needed changes, adds, deletes, repairs, etc. Just what I need, given my propensity to not get things right the first time...!