Am iI Crazy..... bulkhead connector

[XLexusTech]

Is it practical (i know its possible) for a bulk head connector for LS engines. Specific goal.. have a firewall mounted connector (marine quality) that would allow the engine to be removed by disconnecting the one connector... so on the one side is the engine.. on the other the controls ignition ect...

[dontlifttoshift]

Possible? Absolutely! All the cool kids are doing it now, but I haven't seen anyone do it with one connector. Three of these would set you right up.

http://www.iimuchfabrication.com/molex-xrc-bulkhead-connector.html

The mil spec deutsch ones are out there too, but hold on price wise.

[astroracer]

The biggest issue with "one connector" will be the different gage wires required for ignition and such. Most connectors that I feel are affordable will be of a single gage design. I know there are multi-gage connectors out there, I work with them everyday in my job, but, If you have to ask the price, you can't afford them.
Going multiple connectors is not a bad thing. keeping groups of wires bundled on their own "connector" makes things clean and simple.

[syborg tt]

Rad rides does it on all of there new projects

[T_Raven]

I've looked into this quite a bit. "mil-spec" connectors get pretty complicated and it's hard to piece together the info for what to order to get what I want. I've worked on military equipment for a few years and I'm kicking myself for not saving connectors off all the blown up harnesses I've thrown away lol.

One issue is wire gauge like Mark said. Some of the bigger wires are too big for a single pin on a connector that would have enough pins but I imagine you could wire a bigger wire to two or three of the smaller ones passing through the connector and it would handle the amperage. One of the Army's trucks, the RG31, uses all the same gauge wire, all white (not fun to trace wires on). When a circuit needs to handle a bigger load, who ever builds the things just uses multiple wires together rather than a bigger gauge.

The one Donny posted the link too looks like it would work well for a lot of applications and isn't too terribly expensive. You'd probably need 3 for an LS1 harness. I think when I did my 89 I still had 80 or so wires after eliminating what I don't need. That connector says it's good for up to 16g wire, but like I said if you needed to pass a bigger wire through it, you could split off and use two pins.

Thanks for posting that Donny, a few of those might end up on the 67

[Mr.Bill]

You might also look at Deutsch parts. They make some that have a ton of wires, usually 16 awg and then a couple larger in each connector. Up to 100+ wires per. This one has 86 positions -

http://www.laddinc.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=2485

Wirecare.com sells some, I have bought from them before. Or Ladd Inc, not sure if the sell direct or only to biz. We buy from them at work.

http://www.wirecare.com/deutsch-connectors-main.asp

Bill

[CTX-SLPR]

Here's another cheaper idea with a few less pass throughs but larger gauge wire handling: http://www.casperselectronics.com/store2/product_info.php?cPath=63_53&products_id=694

The down side is that it's flat ugly since there is no "boot" on the backside of the connector so you just have 22 wires splayed out over a ~2in space out of your nice wrapped harness. Would need to make a leather or some form of "boot" to pretty it up. For some reason an e-brake handle boot just popped into mind as a starting point.

[Z06vet]

I can unplug all the wires & unbolt the grounds & battery cables in less than 15minutes, & that incudes the trans. Thats the easy part for me. I hate the mess of the coolant, ATF, PS fluid, etc(on an auto). All those connections suck compared to wiring plugs. If it were a show car I could see going thru the effort. I am more the practical type & like having access to everything. That & I wouldn't trust myself installing all those pinouts on one of those bulkheads.. The connections I can't access under my hood are fairly accessible under the dash, and most of those unplug as well. Actually the motor is pretty easy to get in & out of a first gen if the trans isnt coming out with it. If you decide to do it I'd like to see your progress, with pics! Keep us posted

Scott
Scott