[The_Stig]

Hey guys, this hopefully is the easiest question ever...

Where do I start with the electrical system? What to Buy, installing... everything?

This, as some of you know from my million other questions, is my first build. I've never worked on an electrical system and I'm doing my best to work on the car by myself and no one else. So taking it to someone to do it is frankly, out of the question (and probably expensive). At the moment I have an engine, and two batteries strapped in the trunk and a kill switch drilled onto where my license plate is supposed to go. I guess I'm trying to figure out what the best way to hook everything up. As in, is there a newer, better version of the entire system?

I want to stick to a somewhat stock look but upgrade it all (keep dial gauges instead of digital, retro/dial radio look but with an iPod connection coming from the back of it, halogen/xenon healights (maybe even LED?), etc.) I really like this (2nd to last picture) and kind of want to copy it:

http://www.ocdcustomcars.com/chevelle/
If the link doesn't work, google "the sickness chevelle" and look for a shot of the interior. It's stock-ish with extra chrome and simplicity.


I've found a few things online, like the sticky on this forum that shows the specific parts of the wiring harness but that's not going to help if I decide to go aftermarket, right? I'm fairly good with electronics, I graduated with an IT degree last May and I build computers as an extra way to make money so it can't be too hard? I just need some pointers and maybe a step by step tutorial link if there is one? I think once I've started it'll all come together but I don't even know where the fuse box should go, or even if I should have a fuse box vs breakers...

I'm converting the car to a manual 7.4L so everything that was in the car is getting stripped out and replaced. I'm thinking of adding an advanced ECU to control the ignition system through an iPhone or laptop. I'm guessing this is a little over my head, but that's a character flaw I've always had.

 

[smitty454]

Check out american autowire for your wiring needs

 

[barrrf]

Whats your budget for the electronics/wiring?

 

[The_Stig]

I suppose as much as I need to spend? I don't mean to sound like a smart-ass but in reality I was hoping no more than 1k, but that was for the needed dash stuff as well. If I'm not going stock (and it's looking more and more like it won't be) I'm cutting down on costs by building my own dash and gauge cluster. I really don't want to spend >$300 on just the dash console! Long story made long, I can spend more since; well I need an electrical system and I don't know the minimal cost.

I already asked American Autowire what they think. They might think I'm an idiot since I compared what I was looking for to a PSU (Power Supply Unit) in a computer. Hopefully it'll be a little easier than I think. I don't need P/S, P/B, or A/C. It'd be nice, but I'm just trying to get this thing road worthy.

 

[barrrf]

I ask because you stated you'd like to integrate some fancy computer stuff a long with wiring as well. Then you post - you just want to get it road worthy. Not quite the same.

If youre $$bags - look at ISIS and give them a call about integrating a tablet. But youre looking at prolly $2500ish to do what you want. Otherwise, go with AAW and leave the fancy stuff until youve got some expendable income.

I mean LED headlights are a super expensive ($500/pr). The classic gauges youre looking for with an ipad hook up dont exist. You can still have electronically controlled dial gauges - see VHX from Dakota Digital ($700+). And none of these things has wire for the rest of the car ($500ish).

 

[CoolBlueGlow]

I would recommend that you get a stock schematic, have several copies of it blown up onto larger sheets of paper, so you can see and understand every single stock circuit. Remember, every single electrical feature now on your car has a circuit and a function. So, what is your plan for each of these features? You'll either

a.) use them
b.) modify them
c.) eliminate them

Got it?

So, once you've answered those basic questions, next make a list of every single whiz-bang non-stock feature you wish to integrate. (laptop, iPad, etc.) I would make a spreadsheet with at least three tabs. Then break every single electrical feature on your car out into one of those three tabs. A/B/C

A) Keep stock?
B) do a modified version of stock circuit?
C) start from scratch and add a feature not extant in stock wiring?

Now, using the stock schematic as a STARTING POINT, draw out your dream schematics for A, B and C, paying attention to the following on each and every sub-circuit. Remember, for circuit/feature you must accommodate it in one of the three ways above.


For A, using the stock schematic as your starting point, determine what you are going to leave stock.

For B, and C, how you are going to accomplish functionality and integration every single feature you are modifying or including? Find this by drawing a functional schematic for that feature. That includes connectors, wiring type and color, power source, fusing, and any interconnects back to the stock harness.

Once you have a workable schematic, draw out a ROUTING plan for all B and C wiring, each on its' own sheet. Don't get overwhelmed with the whole car. Break the entire process above into subsystems.

Charging / power supply
Ignition / ECM systems
Lighting, exterior and interior
heating/cooling
Sound/AV
Other


That ought to keep you busy, and will be a good starting point. Wiring is built upon engineering drawings, schematics, parts lists, and a functional understanding of basic electrical principles.

In addition, avail yourself to others who've done this via personal exposure, books and YouTube, as well as the forum...even if you have to pay a little to get their first person expertise, it will be money well spent, IMO.

Keith

 

[myrusty66]

i would start with aaw wiring. it is built to accept newer add ons and very user friendly.

 

[CoolBlueGlow]

No doubt. AAW is where I would start as well. But you have to have a plan FIRST. Don't just ready fire aim. Huge time and money waster, IMO

Keith

 

[The_Stig]

I'm assuming AAW is American Autowire?

Because I don't know any better, I was thinking I could buy a nicer, modern wiring kit for the Chevelle than a re-manufactured stock one to add stuff later (again the PSU metaphor). Where if I bought a 900W PSU for my PC, I could later add the extra gizmos and doo-dads later as I saw fit. If I bought a sub-standard PSU, I'd have to replace it with a more expensive one. And I'm one of those people where if I buy it, I'm not replacing it I'd rather save my money and buy the better one first. If that made sense whatsoever.

 

[CoolBlueGlow]

I understand what youre thinking - but IMO.The analogy is not apples to apples. The basic Chevelle wiring harness design is a solid and reliable design. You will be hard pressed to do better when it comes to achieving functionality for ignition, charging and lighting systems. GM engineers put a lot of hours into it. Why leave that on the table?

AAW is not "re manufactured". Both AAW and M&H are first class products...one of the few bright spots in reproduction parts these days. both use US made materials and are held to OEM specs. That matters. AAW and M&H both offer various customizations, built to those same standards...which far exceed the typical China crap often pushed as "custom" these days.

I would suggest that you would be well served by going with stock or near stock systems on anything already designed for you - ignition, lighting, charging, and focus your customization efforts on the systems which simply aren't there - e.g. High end stereo, a/v stuff, alarm, custom gauges and specialty lighting, etc.

Just my opinion

Keith

 

[The_Stig]

Thanks! That's the sort of answer I was hoping for. I didn't mean re-manufactured in a derogatory sense. I meant that the stock harness might have been only good for a stock car, not one with extra aftermarket stuff. Good to know I'll be buying American as well!

 

[CoolBlueGlow]

Yeah...and the guys at AAW have amazing tech support too. Put together your wish list, visit their website, get in the ballpark for your order and then give the, a call. They post on here sometimes as well. Good guys.

Also there was another race oriented wiring solution company posted up here recently. They had some pretty awesome looking custom solutions for the racing crowd. Wish I could remember th.e company name...:-/

 

[barrrf]

ISIS would allow you to add gizmos later. Its just a bit expensive to start with.

 

[CoolBlueGlow]

Yeah, ISIS... Are they those guys who make those custom/racing harnesses and tech interface electrical setups?

Did you post up a link to them one upon a post, a while back?

 

[Tom Mobley]

AAW, top quality, reasonable price. They set the standard. They have both stock replacement and hotrod style kits. Call them up, ask what they recommend, then buy it.

 

[joe2maine]

I had the same idea as you, I kept the stock dash harness but added a four circuit high amp box and upgraded under the hood for a 130 amp alt. added a relay box for the halogen lights. I run a 300 watt amp, duel air ride compressors, electric choke and electric fuel pump so the old 63 amp alt had to go. IT starts to get pricey as the alt upgrade included a serpentine belt system, The wiring for building your own harness cost plenty and all the Packard 56 series connectors and new shells start adding up quickly

 

[wambams69ss396]

this is for a 68-69 chevelle but they do have other years.

http://www.ss396.com/mm5/merchant.m...Code=510158&Category_Code=CLASSICUPDATESERIES