Wiring harness advice

[JOHN CUETO]

Currently tearing out wiring harness in an a-body chevelle...any suggestions? Painless?, etc...

[chevyhector]

I used the American Autowire set up for my 68 Camaro. It was not complicated at all, but ive worked on cars my whole adult life.

[David Sloan]

I would have to 2nd the American Auto Wire it is one of the best an easiest to install.

[MuscleRodz]

Amercian Autowire Classic update kits are simply the best and most complete on the market. Excellent instructions, better tech support. no need to reuse any old connectors from your original harness as all new parts are included. We use what we sell, simply put. Installing several kits now in the shop, they are simple to install with a few basic handtools

[chevyhector]

It is very simple, and the tech support is "Topps"!!! I even lost my schematics, I called them and they emailed me a new set on a pdf file. Customer for life!!!

I took a very long time to do the install because I routed the wires in a way that they are hidden. No bulky wires in the engine compartment, very clean

[moreHP]

+1 more for American Autowire. Great set up and well thought out.

[youthpastor]

+1 more for American Autowire. Great set up and well thought out.


YEP, great people, The owner owns many first gens. Quality people and parts

[ProdigyCustoms]

AAW Classic Update is the only way to go

[JOHN CUETO]

Much appreciated...aaw sounds like the way to go.

[chevyhector]

I have their pdf file if you need it !

[silver69camaro]

Another vote for AAW.

[L & H Kustoms]

AAW all the way..... stay away from painfull

[johnny rockett]

-I was in the middle of trying to decide what harness to use with a twin turbo pro touring camaro. I am not much on wireing......bought the AAW update kit and will have it installed in about 24 to 32 hours and I hate wireing....WOW is all I can say...I dont know how anybody can compete with this company. The product is so good my 2 year old could almost do the job.very impressive , I wish all aftermarket companies were this good!...Thanks AAW!

[TnBlkC230WZ]

How comfortable are you with building a harness? There are lots of options in this catalog, but they require a lot of planning. It is ultimately cheaper and better to build your own, but it is considerable work.

http://delphi.com/pdf/contact/brochures/DCS_GlobalCatalog.pdf

[vintageracer]

It is ultimately cheaper and better to build your own, but it is considerable work.

http://delphi.com/pdf/contact/brochures/DCS_GlobalCatalog.pdf


Why do you say it is "better" to build your own?

[TnBlkC230WZ]

Why do you say it is "better" to build your own?

It will be taylored to meet your needs. You can build each circuit for minimal voltage drop based on what your car draws. Most of the after market systems still draw all of the ignition and accessory power through one wire routed through the ignition switch. Pretty archaric. My ignition switch turns on relays. All circuits have less than a one volt drop and critical ciruits (fuel pump, head lights, etc) have less and a .5 volt drop.

Most of the aftermarket systems are limited to 30 or 40 amps per circuit and are protected by one or two maxi-fuses

I run my Taurus fan from my fuse panel. My battery has a 150 amp circuit beaker and the fuse panel can easily handle a 200 amp altenator. My battery circuit are electrically isolated from my ignition and accessory circuits.

[Jim Nilsen]

I used a Centech and was very pleased with the ease of it too. All of the wires are labeled well and if you are caught up in the need to customize along with wanting pre-made sections for typical areas the main panel works well to accomadate you. Service and tech help is right there without a long lengthy answering machine to deal with, a nice womans voice will get you who you need or the person who answers will help you immediately.

I also would defininately go with AAW or Centech in my next harnesses and stay away from painfull as well.

[69keith]

Jerk the old out and do AAW... But buy you a couple pair of good crimpers, shrink wrap, heat gun and plenty of tape

[Mkelcy]

Jerk the old out and do AAW... But buy you a couple pair of good crimpers, shrink wrap, heat gun and plenty of tape

Or buy a harness from M&H and skip the "crimpers, shrink wrap, heat gun and plenty of tape." I think AAW has a similar product that is completely assembled.

[wmhjr]

So long as you're staying pretty much stock, I agree. The M&H stuff is perfect and ready to install immediately with no fuss. Once you start straying from stock configurations, not so much.

[Mkelcy]

So long as you're staying pretty much stock, I agree. The M&H stuff is perfect and ready to install immediately with no fuss. Once you start straying from stock configurations, not so much.

I've used their stock replacement stuff and it is, as you say, perfect. They also seem to offer an "update" harness, but I haven't seen it or used it. It might be worth a call to M&H to see how complete it is if you're not fond of crimpers, etc.

[wmhjr]

IMHO the update harness is only good if you can provide absolutely perfect descriptions of your changes - including wire lengths. Otherwise.... Truth is, if you're staying pretty well stock you're fine. If you're deviating, no matter who you use it's gonna involve some thinking, documenting, cutting, routing, crimping, soldering.....

[CreepinDeth]

AAW all the way..... stay away from painfull

Agreed.
I just put an AAW Hwy 22 kit I bought from Musclerodz in my 78 pro-touring Camaro.

Zero wiring experience besides numerous car stereo installs.
I can honestly say it was a piece of cake because of how simple they make it.
I know a HELL of alot more about wiring now because of it. Mine is completely custom with a LS1 in it as well.

I bought a weatherpack crimper tool off Amazon for $27 and a Weatherpack
connector kit off Summit for my aftermarket gauges to complement it. Then you
just need some wire straps , heat shrink kit, good crimper tool, a GOOD soldering gun, and GAME ON!!!!

[KWIKND]

I bought the Painless kit a while ago (before AAW was around or well known anyway) and it went in ok except for some minor issues. I called tech support to get a schematic and they would not give me one. They said it was proprietary??? They said just call me from the car and we will troubleshoot it together. I said"I don't work on the car when tech support is open". Sorry.....Last time for Painless. I would look elsewhere.
Good Luck
Dan

[Johnjan]

I will never use a painless product again. I bought the 18 circuit kit for my '68 Camaro and the upgrades to an RS with a high output alternator, and an original ammeter have dang near stalled my project. The wire lengths in the loom were nowhere near what would actually fit the car. Painless' tech support did not even know that the RS was any different than a coupe. Other than shipping me a very small supply of terminals so that I could reuse an old connector shell they were almost useless.

[vintageracer]

I used a Painless harness once. That was enough.

[elitecustombody]

so what would a kit cost to re-wire a whole F-body?

[L & H Kustoms]

so what would a kit cost to re-wire a whole F-body?

The AAW classic update kit retails for $569 I am offering a special on AAW right now 10% off and free shipping.