wiring up for 72 nova
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
wiring up for 72 nova I am installing the ls-3 crate into this 1972 nova. I am also redoing all the wiring in the car at the same time. Since the engine is stand-alone, that's simple.....install a #4 to the fuse panel and ground the wiring harness grounds at the battery. I will have a ground strap off the block to the frame as well. The battery will be in trunk since the radiator took up my battery tray space. Now, here's my questions. Can I run the starter wire(not the solenoid wire) from the alternator to the starter(or does it need to come from the battery). The alternator is a new one wire hook-up and it will be a 1/0 cable from the trunk. I would obviously step the size down from the alt to the starter. Since the starter has a solenoid on it, do I even need to install a solenoid at the battery? And if so, why? I cant see the purpose of a solenoid in the trunk if the starter has one already. And lastly, how should I fuse these things? Fusible link? Fuse? Circuit breaker?
Should I run a supplemental ground to the front subframe as well since it sits on body bushings? I have subframe connectors but they are bolt in.
I have the crate engine sitting in the car right now. But I am waiting to get my headers back from Jet hot to finish the mechanical install part. You spend 900 bucks on ls swap headers from Hooker and they don't even coat them........messed up!
Should I run a supplemental ground to the front subframe as well since it sits on body bushings? I have subframe connectors but they are bolt in.
I have the crate engine sitting in the car right now. But I am waiting to get my headers back from Jet hot to finish the mechanical install part. You spend 900 bucks on ls swap headers from Hooker and they don't even coat them........messed up!
I always run the main battery cable to the starter first and then a cable to the alternator from there. The starter itself can draw up to 150 - 200 amps on a cold day and needs that 1/0 cable for cranking. Then maybe run an 8 or 6 to the starter from the alternator for charging.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Great info. I never thought of the current draw of the starter. Yes the locked rotor current on that would be very high. It's very logical to hit the starter first. Now, I need to hear about circuit protection.
Run the ground cable up to a starter mounting bolt with a jumper to the body and frame. The frame is only 25% as efficient as the cable. I usually get my alternator to solenoid #8 wire from an auto stereo shop.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
My crate engine has a standalone ecu. I need to supply it with 12v. Should I run a new line from the battery(in the trunk) or tap off the existing 1/0 up there?
I ran the 1/0 from the trunk to the starter today. Well, its in the location. I wont land it till the headers get here.......clearance and all.
Off subject here, I pulled the harness off the engine and realized the harness does not come with and oil pressure line. My sensor is capped off at the back of the engine. What do I have to do to make the harness connect to the oil sensor? Its kinda messed up that Gm wouldn't include a connector in the harness when the engine has a sensor in it.
I ran the 1/0 from the trunk to the starter today. Well, its in the location. I wont land it till the headers get here.......clearance and all.
Off subject here, I pulled the harness off the engine and realized the harness does not come with and oil pressure line. My sensor is capped off at the back of the engine. What do I have to do to make the harness connect to the oil sensor? Its kinda messed up that Gm wouldn't include a connector in the harness when the engine has a sensor in it.
Oil pressure is not part of the harness because it does not go to the ECU. Most people just add the sender they need for their oil pressure gauge and run a wire to it if they are running an electric gauge.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Thanks. I have Dakota digital gauges to install. But I am using the obd2 port to use for all my gauges
(a module from Dakota Digital). If it was a simple thing to hook up a few wires in the harness..... great. But Since its not, I'll just use the supplied sensor from them. I was looking forward to not have to run any wires from the engine/tranny to the dash............oh well.
(a module from Dakota Digital). If it was a simple thing to hook up a few wires in the harness..... great. But Since its not, I'll just use the supplied sensor from them. I was looking forward to not have to run any wires from the engine/tranny to the dash............oh well.
Trending Topics
Since the starter has a solenoid on it, do I even need to install a solenoid at the battery?
I ran 1/0 to my relay/fuse panel, then to my starter. You could do it the opposite (battery-->starter-->relay panel), but be advised that either configuration COULD result in a voltage drop during start. I have had to rewire a '70 Nova with a dedicated 10 AWG wire from the battery kill switch to the relay panel for this exact reason. A fusible link or maxi fuse is OK.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
I have decided to run a #4 from the battery to feed the fuse panel. I'll keep the two circuits isolated all the way back to the battery. I had actually decided to do it yesterday afternoon and ordered some more cable. I hadn't even thought of the voltage drop either. There will definitely be a voltage drop when the inrush current kicks in on startup. Yep, dedicated wires all-the-way.