BUILD-OFF CHALLENGE: Tygaboy's '75 LS3, It seemed a good idea at the time... Options

[Larmo63]

This whole build is just so "next level."

Really fun to watch and try to understand what exactly is going on here(?)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)

[tygaboy]

@djway - Here's the lift. Again, take one ATV/motorcycle lift and extend it. It works great.

[dakotaewing]

Just curious, would those headers fit / or hit the cv/axle shafts if you ran them "under" instead of "over"?

[Krieger]

@djway - Here's the lift. Again, take one ATV/motorcycle lift and extend it. It works great.

Amazing Chris!

[djway]

@djway - Here's the lift. Again, take one ATV/motorcycle lift and extend it. It works great.

Thank you

[tygaboy]

Just curious, would those headers fit / or hit the cv/axle shafts if you ran them "under" instead of "over"?

@dakotaewing - No, these can't work in that orientation. They are "turbo forward" headers and yes, I screwed around to see if they would fit as you mention. They run into the block well before the flange is near seating on the head, they interfere with the starter, etc, etc.

Prior to going with this style, I bought a set of stock Corvette (LS3) cast iron exhaust manifolds. Unlike the similar Camaro style, the Corvette version locates the collector in the middle vs at the end, and at a more advantageous angle, allowing more room to get the exhaust turned up to clear the axles. If I ever built a "low" exhaust, I'd use them.

[dwillouby]

Hi,

I copied Chris's engine lift design.

Works great.

I used 06 corvette manifolds and ran over the axles.

David

[tygaboy]

This whole build is just so "next level."

Really fun to watch and try to understand what exactly is going on here(?)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)

@Larmo63 - Glad to hear you're enjoying the madness. If you do figure out what's going on, please let me know! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
From the beginning, this build was based on my favorite Monty Python line:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Eyx_DhepDg

[tygaboy]

And credit where credit is due:
I copied @andys Andy's lift design. See post #9 on this page for good pics and a much tidier execution!
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...=204625&hl=

Thanks for sharing, Andy! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

[tygaboy]

During this build, I've had to start from scratch and learn a number of skills, including welding, metal forming, fabrication, CAD and CAM software, a new plasma table, etc.

Next, apparently, will be my nemesis: WIRING.

The EFI engine harness that came as part of the ITB kit is designed for an "engine in front". Many/most of the pre-terminated connectors are too long or too short and much of the messy stuff is at the rear of the engine, which is the main view of it in my car.

My OCD simply can't tolerate all this messy wiring.

I contemplated trying to modify the kit harness but after talking with the Techs at Holley (it's a Holley HP ECU and harness), I opted to start over with an un-terminated kit.

What was I thinking? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

Well, I figured out most of the other stuff, I'll figure this out, too.

[tygaboy]

This is what I found unacceptable. Anyone need an LS3/Holley HP Engine harness? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[tygaboy]

I started with a mock up of routing for the injector harness. Again, the kit, as delivered, is designed for the stock LS3 intake, not ITBs, so the injector harness loom was too short in places and forced the main connector to be at the back of the engine.
This unterminated injector harness kit will allow me to hide the connector at the front.

Way mo' betta! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

[tygaboy]

I finished the day by completing the plug wires. All nice and hidden from view.

In the end, I'm trying for the "no wires visible" look across the entire engine. I'll likely have a few but it'll be far cleaner than what it was and should look pretty tidy.

[djway]

With all the fancy cool tools you have you possibly could fab up some wiring covers that attached to the engine hide the wires and add even more I candy. Just a thought.

[Cairo94507]

Man, that is looking pretty. Of course the wiring was going to be next level stuff. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[Andyrew]

Wow! Next level stuff for sure!

Are the wires long enough that you wont have to join any wires? I suspect that you'll add plugs as needed and pin wires?

Im just curious if you've subscribed to the solder vs crimp method for wire connection.

[tygaboy]

Wow! Next level stuff for sure!

Are the wires long enough that you wont have to join any wires? I suspect that you'll add plugs as needed and pin wires?

Im just curious if you've subscribed to the solder vs crimp method for wire connection.

@Andyrew Andrew - Yep, all the wires are plenty long so it's a simple matter (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) of determining the physical layout then pinning the wires for each connector.

There are some wires that need to be joined. For example, the red power leads in the injector harness get joined/soldered along the run so they terminate in a single wire at the harness connector.

All the connectors and associated pins/seal are provided with the various wiring kits I'm using and are either metri pack, Weather Pack or Deutsch. I have all the appropriate crimpers/jaws and de-pinning tools needed to assemble them.

No soldering on any of those connectors. Deutsch even calls out soldering isn't recommended. I'll take their guidance.

[mbseto]

"...being old and safety minded, I politely declined..."
Goes back to cramming LS3 into go-cart.

[Andyrew]

Wow! Next level stuff for sure!

Are the wires long enough that you wont have to join any wires? I suspect that you'll add plugs as needed and pin wires?

Im just curious if you've subscribed to the solder vs crimp method for wire connection.

@Andyrew Andrew - Yep, all the wires are plenty long so it's a simple matter (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) of determining the physical layout then pinning the wires for each connector.

There are some wires that need to be joined. For example, the red power leads in the injector harness get joined/soldered along the run so they terminate in a single wire at the harness connector.

All the connectors and associated pins/seal are provided with the various wiring kits I'm using and are either metri pack, Weather Pack or Deutsch. I have all the appropriate crimpers/jaws and de-pinning tools needed to assemble them.

No soldering on any of those connectors. Deutsch even calls out soldering isn't recommended. I'll take their guidance.

So long as the crimp is good I agree without soldering. I soldered most of mine and then I FILLED it with super glue so that it wouldnt move, and then finished it up with the shrink wrap and wire sleave.


I will say thats going to be a TON of pinning... That pinning and depinning tool will pay for themselves in stress..

I will say Depinning for me is a PITA. I can never get it right..

[tygaboy]

@Andyrew - This is my first go with wiring and I did end up purchasing all the needed crimpers and de-pinning tools. After the first couple, everything went fine. I'm assuming you have the correct tool for the connectors?

I ended up having to get 4 different de-pinners to work with the various types of connectors I have across the different harnesses. But as a tool whore, I'm OK with that!

Anyway, here's my crimp vs what the instructions say it should look like.

Let me just say: There is absolutely nothing like having the right tools for the job!