Conversions & Swaps LSX Engines in Non-LSX Vehicles
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Is there a how-t0-thread on making ur own harness?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 4, 2010 | 08:48 AM
  #1  
vandejr's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 143
Likes: 1
From: san antonio tx.
Default Is there a how-t0-thread on making ur own harness?

I know there is plenty of info on lt1swap.com but was wondering if there is a thread or site that shows ur how to dress up the harness?
sure i can just order one but that takes all the fun out of making ur own harness.
Reply
Old Jul 4, 2010 | 08:53 AM
  #2  
Yellowbrother's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
Default

well for the most part...if u have original harness...everything to the sensors are at length already...depending on where u put ur pcm...u mite have to extend the wiring at that point...best way to dress it up is to plug everything up...and wireloom and tape accordingly...
Reply
Old Jul 4, 2010 | 10:12 AM
  #3  
Old Geezer's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 5,639
Likes: 71
From: GA, USA
Talking I use..

the nylon mesh covering. It's not as easy to use, and has to be put on B4 the connectors. it looks ALOT neater, is easier to route than the convoluted plastic stuff.
More expensive, too.
As for starting from scratch.. Really not cost effective. Wire supplies, connectors, tools, terminals, are not cheap, when compared to buying a harness.

Last edited by Old Geezer; Jul 4, 2010 at 10:20 AM.
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2010 | 05:26 AM
  #4  
Pocket's Avatar
TECH Addict
15 Year Member
iTrader: (22)
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,659
Likes: 149
From: NC
Default

http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/po...009-post4.html
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2010 | 09:14 AM
  #5  
Marcello7x's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 728
Likes: 0
From: Boston
Default

The connectors themselves is what kills you! Im an engineer at a radio frequency power supply company. Each unit we make has its own custom harness, once you have one original to work with then you can make exact copies pretty easy, or modify accordingly. But to get the connectors you need to source them out on mouser or digikey. And make sure you have enough different color wires to not confuse yourself.

I was seriously thinking of making harnesses myself, that is if i can make them and sell them cheaper than the companies already doing so, and make a profit.
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2010 | 10:56 AM
  #6  
busta9876's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
20 Year Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 558
Likes: 6
From: West Plains, Missouri
Default

Originally Posted by LS1GMCTruck
My buddy makes all brand new LS1 harnesses from scratch. He told me he's got approximately $300.00 into each one. But, he buys his supplies wholesale & in quantity. Consider the rest to be his labor & profit.
I've got a bill of material made up for making basic 4.8/5.3/6.0 harnesses...its more like about $50-60 in parts per harness. If you buy in min quantities from one of Delphi's direct distributors. I think I was quoted about $7000 to get everything needed, in min quantities. Including TXL wire matching OE color.

It could be done much cheaper start up, but cost per harness goes up with that. For instance, I think min quantity for the PCM pins was 10,000.
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2010 | 11:24 AM
  #7  
LS1GMCTruck's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 907
Likes: 2
From: Ft. Lauderdale, Fl.
Default

Originally Posted by busta9876
I've got a bill of material made up for making basic 4.8/5.3/6.0 harnesses...its more like about $50-60 in parts per harness. If you buy in min quantities from one of Delphi's direct distributors. I think I was quoted about $7000 to get everything needed, in min quantities. Including TXL wire matching OE color.

It could be done much cheaper start up, but cost per harness goes up with that. For instance, I think min quantity for the PCM pins was 10,000.
How many hours did you figure, you'd have, into each harness? And at what labor rate?
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2010 | 12:32 PM
  #8  
busta9876's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
20 Year Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 558
Likes: 6
From: West Plains, Missouri
Default

Originally Posted by LS1GMCTruck
How many hours did you figure, you'd have, into each harness? And at what labor rate?
I never got that far.......
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-8

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 5, 2010 | 12:54 PM
  #9  
1A Dan's Avatar
On The Tree
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: MA
Default

i'm a pocket follower. great details in his threads and if you have a stock truck harness, you can make your own custom one for very little.
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2010 | 01:42 PM
  #10  
Pocket's Avatar
TECH Addict
15 Year Member
iTrader: (22)
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,659
Likes: 149
From: NC
Default

My methods are based off what I read on busta9870's website and many others

I tallied costs to be around $330 using mouser.com with qty = 1 not counting wire, specialty crimpers and a few impossible to find connectors. Buying bulk of 50 or so may drop it $80-100

Build time is similar to a beginning to end rework, so expect 16-20 hours. It makes $900 for a brand new harness seem reasonable
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2010 | 04:37 PM
  #11  
vandejr's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 143
Likes: 1
From: san antonio tx.
Default

gREAT info and thanks for all the links and the pics.
How would someone go by putting that mesh looking loom?
splitloom looks nice but ive seen some with a net looking loom.
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2010 | 08:55 PM
  #12  
Pocket's Avatar
TECH Addict
15 Year Member
iTrader: (22)
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,659
Likes: 149
From: NC
Default

It goes over before the PCM is repinned for a rebuilt harness. New harness guys start at the PCM and cut the sensor wires to fit. For them the mesh is slid over before the sensor connectors are crimped on
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2010 | 08:07 PM
  #13  
vandejr's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 143
Likes: 1
From: san antonio tx.
Default

so can all the grounds be pulled out of the harness and ecu side? and just use a few.?
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2010 | 11:00 PM
  #14  
Pocket's Avatar
TECH Addict
15 Year Member
iTrader: (22)
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,659
Likes: 149
From: NC
Default

Umm, why are you pulling grounds? Most people add more, even redundant grounds
Reply
Old Nov 2, 2012 | 01:21 PM
  #15  
rlehto's Avatar
Teching In
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Default

POCKET:My methods are based off what I read on busta9870's website and many others

I tallied costs to be around $330 using mouser.com with qty = 1 not counting wire, specialty crimpers and a few impossible to find connectors. Buying bulk of 50 or so may drop it $80-100

Build time is similar to a beginning to end rework, so expect 16-20 hours. It makes $900 for a brand new harness seem reasonable
Can a lot be sourced from other vehicles And re pinned Using New pins and wires cut to your Desired length?

Last edited by rlehto; Nov 3, 2012 at 09:02 AM.
Reply
Old Nov 2, 2012 | 01:59 PM
  #16  
Pop N Wood's Avatar
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,402
Likes: 8
Default

two year old thread
Reply
Old Nov 2, 2012 | 05:28 PM
  #17  
Pocket's Avatar
TECH Addict
15 Year Member
iTrader: (22)
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,659
Likes: 149
From: NC
Default

Can a lot be sourced from other vehicles And re pinned Using New pins and wires cut to your Desired length?
Yes

01+ S10/Blazers are very similar to LSx harnesses, even use the same PCM. Grab a few more connectors from the JY like injectors and its a $50 LSx harness

two year old thread
Doesnt make the info any less useful
Reply
Old Nov 2, 2012 | 08:29 PM
  #18  
green96ta's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky
Default

There is A LOT more that goes into making a harness than just connectors and wire.

FWIW if you purchase the Delphi repair crimpers the terminals are supposed to be soldered and crimped.

If you buy the production tooling that comes with hand frames and dies you will easily eclipse the 1,000 mark in just crimping tools to PROPERLY build a harness. Ask me how I know.

That is just one unseen aspect, there are still many, many more. I have no idea where people believe that they are getting ripped off by all the harness companies. Granted some have some high prices, but you should consider what goes into a QUALITY harness.

Is the 30-40 hours you would spend making your own harness worth saving 150-200 bucks? That means you got paid 5 bucks an hour for close to a weeks worth of work.
Reply
Old Nov 3, 2012 | 07:59 AM
  #19  
Old Geezer's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 5,639
Likes: 71
From: GA, USA
Default

" was seriously thinking of making harnesses myself, that is if i can make them and sell them cheaper than the companies already doing so, and make a profit."
My bud does high end Vette conversions, is an automation engineer, has a long career in the making, installing harnesses.
He too, thot he'd do his own harnesses. Wound up at <$5/hr! His harnesses are now $1200, and are done only for cars in his shop.
It didn't take long to figure that shop rate @$75, vs $5 was a no brainer.
So, the guys that do these, and sell for 6-800$, are where I go for what I need.

Rework on a stocker.. A few evenings at the kitchen table, some solder, shrink wrap, and it's a useable product..Certainly, not a $1200 work of art, tho...
Reply
Old Nov 3, 2012 | 08:22 AM
  #20  
97FormulaWS-6's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
10 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
From: Land of the Mormon's although I'm not one of them
Default

Originally Posted by Old Geezer
" was seriously thinking of making harnesses myself, that is if i can make them and sell them cheaper than the companies already doing so, and make a profit."
My bud does high end Vette conversions, is an automation engineer, has a long career in the making, installing harnesses.
He too, thot he'd do his own harnesses. Wound up at <$5/hr! His harnesses are now $1200, and are done only for cars in his shop.
It didn't take long to figure that shop rate @$75, vs $5 was a no brainer.
So, the guys that do these, and sell for 6-800$, are where I go for what I need.

Rework on a stocker.. A few evenings at the kitchen table, some solder, shrink wrap, and it's a useable product..Certainly, not a $1200 work of art, tho...
This all depends on the materials used, tools used, etc. If you use the right wire, connectors, terminals, heatshrink, epoxy, sleeving, etc; it's expensive to put a proper harness together.

Once you have all the tools and if you buy the materials in bulk it will reduce the component expense, but the materials themselves are not cheap to build one from scratch. (Cost of the proper Mil-W-22759 wire alone is $$; not even mentioning the sleeving, connectors, etc.)
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:34 PM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE