So I posted this question in my build thread, but apparently almost no one reads it (I don't blame you).

I know this sort of thing has been discussed in various threads, but I thought I'd ask again:


So I need some suggestions from the all knowing horde here on MT.

I'm about to completely re-wire my race car(at least the chassis harness), and I need recommendations on wiring tools and supplies.

I'll be using a conversion harness from hybrid-racing as well as OEM Acura wiring harness for the engine and charging. What's left for me to wire is the chassis, but because racecar, there's not a whole lot to do. Basically brake lights, wipers, and gauges.

I have always loathed doing electrical/wiring. Like, absolutely loathed. I think part of the reason is I've always used the shittiest of tools and supplies (not to mention a basically non-functioning soldering iron). Using crappy tools and supplies has led to even te simplest wiring tasks turning into mind numbing disasters.

I need a good proper crimping tool, some baller easy to use connectors, and maybe a generic fuse box.

So what do you guys use? Amazon Prime is preferred. I don't mind spending some money, but I also don't need top of the line stuff since I don't (nor will I start) do this stuff every day.

Thanks in advance

 

My favorite combination is uninsulated crimps from eBay.
Crimper from Amazon.
GXL or TXL wire from wirebarn.
OEM connectors from Eastern beaver.
Adhesive heat shrink from ballenger Motorsports.
Braided expandable shielding from eBay.
Vice grip automatic wire stripper from Amazon.

I'll post links in a bit when I get to work. The gxl/txl wire is ****** amazing. I want to sleep in a bed made out of it.

 

A friend recommended buying in bulk from www.waytekwire.com

Anyone have experience with them?

It looks like they carry the common brands (3M, Molex, etc.) and the prices don't look terrible.

 

When I was working on aircraft in the military we always used cannon plugs for all our connections. I wouldn't expect anyone with a budget to use Mil-spec style cannon plugs but Deutsch connectors are pretty good quality and offer the same style of connection. Super handy if you have to remove stuff often. If I were to rebuild my harness I would probably use a bulkhead fitting for the engine loom.

https://www.wirecare.com/deutsch-con...p20&contacts=6

 

Are you looking for a crimping tool for use on OEM-style connectors? And if so, are you limited to any one particular OEM style connector?

 

I need a good crimping tool to do generic uninsulated crimps, but would also like to de-pin and re-pin factory connectors too. Car and factory connectors in question are of the Honda/Acura flavor.

I am generally ignorant of all things wiring/electrical.

 

Ratcheting Crimper for Weather Pack Connectors, 14-20 Gauge

 

Would something like work as well? It just seems to have so many more uses for the hobbyist. Sorry for the large image.

 

get it, try it, let us know. kthnxbye.

 

That tool would be great for insulated and non-insulated "generic" connectors like barrel splices, ring and form terminals, etc. It may or may not be worth a **** for OEM type connectors with two-level crimping

I was actually trying to find a cheaper version to suggest to you, such as this one, which is similar to the one I have at home: Ratcheting Crimp Frame Handle and Die Bundle


For OEM connectors, my honest suggestion would be to hit up the Hondacura forums and see what those guys use.

 

Oh God...please no, not a Honda forum. Anything but a Honda forum

 

This one was recommended for uninsulated barrel crimps recently. Prime, and I like it. Used it for my whole ABS swap wiring.

 

I've had this same cutter/crimping tool for about 8 years now. It's still working great. You just have to keep the hinge oiled or it starts to get sticky after a few years. Great price, I think I paid $25 at a big box store.

 

Personally, I much prefer ratcheting-type crimp tools, especially for people who aren't highly proficient in making crimped connections. They take the guesswork out of knowing when you've moved the die far enough for a given connector size.

 

I agree for some. But I have found that some crimper tools don't crimp enough. This lets me just crimp as hard as I want.

My hand did get a little crimpy after a day of using it though.

 

I have a pair of , used it for PC stuff but I buy the cheap crimp packs like .

Seems to get the job done alright, but you can over-crimp.



Oh yeah, then you can get delphi bulkheads, and pretty much make an entire new engine harness.

 

That's the sort of terminal for which there's really no substitute for an OEM (or OEM-style) crimper. Nothing else does a good job of hitting both levels of crimp (wire and insulation) to the correct length and depth, without crushing.

 

Buying that bulkhead connector for the future.

 

Waytek is a great place to buy this type of stuff from if you're buying a lot of stuff. I wouldnt order from eastern beaver unless no one stateside has the connectors you need which the whole shipping from japan thing.

If you're going from scratch and arent trying to match OEM connectors I like weatherpack and metripak connectors. They just work, they can be bought at good autoparts stores locally and crimped successfully with hardware store crimpers (IE **** hits the fan while at a race and you dont have the proper spares and forgot your crimper at home).

Waytek has better bulk head options than that one on amazon, but again, you have to buy a bunch of stuff from them for it to be worth it.

 

I actually have some content here from my LFX wiring post.. that I haven't made yet.

That said - delcity is where I did much of my shopping. They have a much lower required purchase number than waytech. They have GXL wire in spools for a pretty good price (though wirebarn does offer more selection of 25 ft 6 color wires..)

I used this fusebox for the LFX. Sealed Mini Fuse & ISO 280 Mini Relay Combo Panel - Individual Inputs - you'll need to snag the terminal kit as well - Metri-Pack 280 Terminals and Seals Kits (this has enough terminals to do 2-3 fuseboxes easy.)

And GT150 connectors are the bomb, yo. Weatherpak is good for higher amp stuff, but the GT150 is one of the easiest I've run across to repin. Plus you can snag shells pretty easily when you walk by the newer GM stuff in a junkyard. Delphi GT 150 Series Connector Starter Kit Metripack 254 Pcs | eBay

edit: Just thought of something else.

DO NOT USE ELECTRICAL TAPE. Buy harness tape. Yes, in a 20 year old car it becomes brittle and starts sloughing off split loom. Electrical tape gets gummy as hell in a car and just overall nasty. I used this guy because he's local - redid pretty much the entire car in 4 rolls. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Elliott-Tape...IOGuUQ&vxp=mtr