3rd gen swap - extending wires to mount computer inside
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 117
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3rd gen swap - extending wires to mount computer inside How should I go about extending the wires on the harness so that I can mount the computer inside the car? I figured I could mount it somewhere in the engine compartment, but I can't, there's just not enough room. Can I just get the same gauge wire as used on the plugs that go to the computer and solder an extended length of wire to elongate that portion of the harness? I know better not to twist the wires together, but if I solder the wires, am I going to mess up the resistances in the wires and screw up my harness? Thanks for the help.
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 49
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From: Hayward CA
What engine are you putting in? I out an lt1 in my 3rd gen and the PCM mounted in the front left corner of the engine bay just fine. And I would think twice about extending the wires. You are asking for a huge headache. Especially if you mess up on just one wire, it could take hours or days to find where it went wrong. I would make room under the hood, you will be better off.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 117
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Originally Posted by Mrplow
What engine are you putting in? I out an lt1 in my 3rd gen and the PCM mounted in the front left corner of the engine bay just fine. And I would think twice about extending the wires. You are asking for a huge headache. Especially if you mess up on just one wire, it could take hours or days to find where it went wrong. I would make room under the hood, you will be better off.
On The Tree
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 119
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From: Austin, Texas
Here is what I did to mount it on the frame of my 96 Impala SS (LS1 to LT1 swap). I used a piece of rubber (conveyor belt) between the SS bracket I fabricated and the frame. I used two fine thread self tapping bolts (like is used on other areas of the frame to hold brackets...) through the bracket and rubber.
Bracket >
http://shiggins.bounceme.net/picture...CM_bracket.JPG
Before cleaning up the wires >
http://shiggins.bounceme.net/pictures/PCM_location.JPG
After cleaning up wires >
http://shiggins.bounceme.net/pictures/engine_after1.JPG
http://shiggins.bounceme.net/pictures/engine_after2.JPG
I would not extend the wires unless you wanted to solder the wires and cover them with heat shrink tubing. You do not want to be troubleshooting the PCM wiring. I crimped the wires using collars then soldered and tubed them when I connected the original car wiring to the LS1 engine control harness.
Good Luck
-ssh
Bracket >
http://shiggins.bounceme.net/picture...CM_bracket.JPG
Before cleaning up the wires >
http://shiggins.bounceme.net/pictures/PCM_location.JPG
After cleaning up wires >
http://shiggins.bounceme.net/pictures/engine_after1.JPG
http://shiggins.bounceme.net/pictures/engine_after2.JPG
I would not extend the wires unless you wanted to solder the wires and cover them with heat shrink tubing. You do not want to be troubleshooting the PCM wiring. I crimped the wires using collars then soldered and tubed them when I connected the original car wiring to the LS1 engine control harness.
Good Luck
-ssh
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 117
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That looks like the spot in the engine compartment where I would have to mount mine. I guess since it looks to be a bad idea to extend the wires myself, I will just mount it standing up on the frame like your Impala. I don't really think it will look good, but I really don't want to destroy my harness either. I guess I just have to work with what I have.
On The Tree
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Austin, Texas
Just clean the PCM up and paint it and it should not look to bad if you make the wires neat. The cover appears to be a pretty good grade of aluminum as it is holding a polish quite well. I ended up with the painted PCM and polished cover you see in the pictures.
