924Board.org

[ideola]

I unexpectedly came into possession of a like-new whole car (well, at least enough for my needs) wiring harness (via Paul Stewart via Kenodog ). I am now weighing my options for wiring up the UWB project.

• Option 1: 12-circuit Painless universal harness ($500+)
  
• Option 2: 14-Circuit Rebel Wire universal harness ($200+)
  
• Option 3: Use the stock, like-new harness as-is, will need modifications to support EFI (<$100)
  
• Option 4: Splice a Painless breaker box and bulkhead plug into the like-new stock harness (~$300)

Obviously, cheapest and easiest will be to use the like-new harness as-is. But given the known shortcomings of the electrics in these cars, I'm wondering if I'll regret later not converting over to a modern fuse block and ground circuit. The nice thing about the latter approach is that the spade style fuses can be replaced with breakers if I ever wanted to upgrade even further. What do you guys think?
_________________
erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made

[Raceboy]

You left out the best approach.
It is "make the new harness from scratch by your own". And use high-quality wire with silicone insulation.

On a project like this (and mine also, and I didn't) I wouldn't use cheap PVC wires that can't cope with heat, age and dirt for prolonged time.
They become hard, they crack and weigh a lot.

Plus when you make the harness yourself, everything will be where it should be, no leftovers etc.

EDIT: And if you want absolutely the best there is, walk away from relays and fuses and use something like this:
http://www.motec.com.au/pdm16/pdm16accessories/
_________________
'83 924 2.6 16v Turbo, 470hp
'67 911 2.4S hotrod
'90 944 S2 Cabriolet
'78 924 Carrera GT replica
'84 928 S, sold
'91 944 S2, sold
'82 924S/931 "Gulf", sold
'84 924, turbocharged, sold.
http://www.facebook.com/vemsporsche

[bass gt]

[Scorpio]

I was thinking of the painless circuit...but i went the option 3 route and am about 90% into fully rebuilding the wiring harness....just a few odds and ends left along with the EFI part.

Once i got through all the tape and actually got to the wire i found that the majority of the wire was "as new" with no cracking and great flexibility.

Problem areas which needed replacing included anywhere where wire was exposed ie some engine bay grounds...oil spill areas...near heat sources(where wire was indeed cracked)

I guess this is your ultimate build so if youve got the time and patience to go through with a custom wiring install then that will be the ultimate solution.(remember the $500 is just the kit, itll take you alot more of your time to figure it all out and make it work to the 924....whats your time worth is the question you have to ask)

Also Remeber that all the switches..ie headlight..indicators etc all have special connectors....you could always put your own on but this will take you aggeeess unless you use your own custom switches.. which may be what your doing??

The bottleneck isnt necessarily the wiring its where youre attaching the wiring to actuators/switches etc.... and if you keep stock switches then you still have the bottleneck...painless wiring or not

I purchased a second hand"like new" fuse box with no burnt pins... I think the electrics only run into trouble when something "shorts" or doesnt ground properly or when people use wrong fuses for a temporary fix thus frying something else.



Haynes also gives me a reference for all my wiring..you could always install painless then draw up your own wiring diagram..

Removing "troubled spots" from the factory harness will also add to its longevity..
.ie The whole fuel pump relay thing will be gone in your install due to EFI...so thats out of the way......im guessing youll put a new ignition switch in ($5) so that can cancel out..... smoothen out all ground points...or better yet make your own "accesible" ground points (the one behind the dash is definately not accessible"....grounds are a cause of headaches so get them right here and youll save alot of hassle
, use new spade connectors on them then dielectric grease

Use a plastic loom over all your wiring...but in the engine bay use this

http://www.thermotec.com/thermo-flex.html

Ide say thatll give you another 20-30 years out of it
Just some food for thought on Option 3, definately the easier solution
_________________
1979 NA
MS1..EFI..
GARRETT T25 TURBO
BILSTEIN SHOCKS
GT BASED CUSTOM BODYKIT

Brisbane , Australia
Think mean think fast
all youll see is
my Porsches Arse!!!

[Raceboy]

I can tell from my experience (having done wiring on app. 40 cars) that it's always easier to fabricate new harness fromn scratch than to repair stock one. And always use new JPT connectors.
_________________
'83 924 2.6 16v Turbo, 470hp
'67 911 2.4S hotrod
'90 944 S2 Cabriolet
'78 924 Carrera GT replica
'84 928 S, sold
'91 944 S2, sold
'82 924S/931 "Gulf", sold
'84 924, turbocharged, sold.
http://www.facebook.com/vemsporsche

[fiat22turbo]

So, you're rewiring the car, yet you're gonna keep the CIS?

You confuse me sir.
_________________
Stefan
1979 924 Carrera GTS (clone-ish)
1988 944 Turbo S (Silver Rose)

[Raceboy]

Where did you read that?
_________________
'83 924 2.6 16v Turbo, 470hp
'67 911 2.4S hotrod
'90 944 S2 Cabriolet
'78 924 Carrera GT replica
'84 928 S, sold
'91 944 S2, sold
'82 924S/931 "Gulf", sold
'84 924, turbocharged, sold.
http://www.facebook.com/vemsporsche

[ideola]

[924guy]

im with scorp on this one, use the new "stock" harness, and reinforce/insulate in the critical areas...
_________________
Eric
78 924
82 931 SE "smokey"
99' VehiCross
Y2K Honda Insight
http://www.cardomain.com/id/924Guy
Performance by Pasha

[ideola]

Yeah, the Motec route is at least an order of magnitude out of my range, budget wise. $3500 just for the PDM. $2K+ just for a display unit. And try finding a price list for their wiring bits.

I'm curious, though, Raceboy & bass gt, is there some specific reason that you feel the Painless stuff is not up to snuff? I've seen nothing but good things written about their products.
_________________
erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made

[Raceboy]

[ic932]

[ideola]

Raceboy, good points...but my project is not an all-out competition race car. It's a wicked street machine that will double as HPDE track toy...
_________________
erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made

[Raceboy]

What's wrong with me promoting anything? IMO I've always been promoting the "do it well or don't do it at all" attitude. And there's nothing wrong with experimentation as long as one can afford it.

[ic932]