Chassis Electrical Simplification
Thread Starter
built my own engine
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,470
Likes: 2
From: Buckhead, Atlanta
Chassis Electrical Simplification
I am trying to simplify the chassis electrical system, my main target is the front main harness that wraps from passenger to driver's side, hits the relay box, fuse box, diagnostic terminal. Has anyone ever removed this? I know it will kill lights, blinkers, and ECU power. but that seems like it would be easy to get around
Just wondering if anyone has had experience with this. I've tried to wire my haltech so it depends on the same switched ignition, power, and ground source for the very reason of eliminating this.
Just wondering if anyone has had experience with this. I've tried to wire my haltech so it depends on the same switched ignition, power, and ground source for the very reason of eliminating this.
Rotary Freak
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,360
Likes: 0
From: Overland Park, KS
I have relocated all of the fuses and relays that were in the engine bay to the rear tool bins. Didnt really simplify anything just cleaned up the engine bay alot. I know alot of the relays in the front fuse box can be taken out, jimlab did it but you do sacafice a few things. I'll post some pics and a little write up about my relocation here in the next couple days.
~Luke
~Luke
Thread Starter
built my own engine
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,470
Likes: 2
From: Buckhead, Atlanta
i mainly need room for my oil coolers, and i don't want my tires taking out the harnesses as i've seen happen so some people (BATMAN..)
I've also taken out my inner fenders
I've also taken out my inner fenders
Thread Starter
built my own engine
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,470
Likes: 2
From: Buckhead, Atlanta
I drive on city streets only on fri/sat/sun
I haven't had any dirt issues as of yet, everything is powdercoated...even strut, suspension, steering rack, etc. So nothing a little hose wouldn't take care of
I haven't had any dirt issues as of yet, everything is powdercoated...even strut, suspension, steering rack, etc. So nothing a little hose wouldn't take care of
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Jimlab and others have relocated it onto the frame rail where the battery was/would be. Both ways i have seen looked good. I think the other was Justin's
Here is a shot of Justin's( JDhuege1)
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ghlight=engine bay pics&pagenumber=2
His is on Page 2 about 4-5 posts down. You can see the box on the rail where the batt. used to be. Pretty clean.
Here is a shot of Justin's( JDhuege1)
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ghlight=engine bay pics&pagenumber=2
His is on Page 2 about 4-5 posts down. You can see the box on the rail where the batt. used to be. Pretty clean.
Last edited by BigIslandSevens; Jul 15, 2004 at 01:44 AM.
Super Snuggles
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 10,091
Likes: 34
From: Redmond, WA
Originally posted by 93BlackFD
my goal is to remove it, i suppose the rear cargo bins is also an option
my goal is to remove it, i suppose the rear cargo bins is also an option
Depends on how much work you want to put in, and how many creature comforts you need in the car.
Painless Wiring makes pre-made wiring kits for hotrods and stuff - they have nice kits for headlights, turn signals, taillights, etc. that have built-in fuse blocks, relays, you name it. All the wires are labeled every few inches on the wire, etc. If you REALLY wanted to get hardcore, you could pull the stock harness and go with one of those guys.
Trick is to sit down and make a list of all the electrical systems on your car that you need and go from there.
You'd best be mighty handy with electronics, though!
It's not *hard* per se, but you have to be thorough and take your time to get everything right.
Summit Racing has pretty much all of Painless' stuff. Website is http://www.painlessperformance.com/ - they really make top grade stuff with top quality wiring and connectors.
Dale
Painless Wiring makes pre-made wiring kits for hotrods and stuff - they have nice kits for headlights, turn signals, taillights, etc. that have built-in fuse blocks, relays, you name it. All the wires are labeled every few inches on the wire, etc. If you REALLY wanted to get hardcore, you could pull the stock harness and go with one of those guys.
Trick is to sit down and make a list of all the electrical systems on your car that you need and go from there.
You'd best be mighty handy with electronics, though!
It's not *hard* per se, but you have to be thorough and take your time to get everything right.Summit Racing has pretty much all of Painless' stuff. Website is http://www.painlessperformance.com/ - they really make top grade stuff with top quality wiring and connectors.
Dale
Yeah, I'd just figure out what you need in the car and what you don't. If there is stuff in the main wiring harness that you still need, you could easily unwrap the harness and pull out the wires and connectors in question.
You'll need to spend some time with a shop manual and figure out the circuits that you need to keep. But, I think it would turn out pretty darn sweet once it's done.
Dale
You'll need to spend some time with a shop manual and figure out the circuits that you need to keep. But, I think it would turn out pretty darn sweet once it's done.
Dale
This is my next big project, I don't have any creature comforts left and would like to get rid off all the relay boxes. Anyones else done this? I've thought about relocating to the bins or glove box, but don't want to complicate things even more.
Well I've started and it's kind of a PIA. Should have done it earlier when everything else was out of the engine bay. I think I'm just going to relocate to the frame rail at this point, who nows maybe I'll get creative?
wHiTe kNiGhT
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,393
Likes: 0
From: ct
That wouldn't be unlikly for you.
There is so much wireing, I wouldn't want to cut the wrong wire. Someone should make a kit, and make some good money from it. Relocation to the bins or atleast not in the engine bay.
There is so much wireing, I wouldn't want to cut the wrong wire. Someone should make a kit, and make some good money from it. Relocation to the bins or atleast not in the engine bay.
Super Snuggles
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 10,091
Likes: 34
From: Redmond, WA
What's this sudden fascination with not having relay boxes in the engine bay? Why worry about something so trivial or risk your electrical system by trying to re-engineer it, or add weight by adding more wiring just to move the relay boxes out of the engine bay? What's the point? Everyone wants to be David Garfinkle now and re-engineer things that don't really need it? 
I modified my wiring harness for a reason. I no longer have SRS, A/C, power steering, pop-up headlights, the stock ignition system, or a rotary engine. There was a lot of wiring relating to those things that could be eliminated. Eliminated, not relocated. There was no point in keeping it around, so I spent a considerable amount of time redoing my front (engine bay) harness, and the result is that it's about a third of the size it was originally and I saved about 15 lbs. in relays, wire, and various other crap.
However, relocating wiring and relay boxes just to clean up the engine bay is ridiculous. Relocating the front relay box to the frame rail is fine. It's blocking potential air flow into the engine bay, and it's a minor one-day job. Trying to move the relay and fuse boxes to the bins, on the other hand...
I modified my wiring harness for a reason. I no longer have SRS, A/C, power steering, pop-up headlights, the stock ignition system, or a rotary engine. There was a lot of wiring relating to those things that could be eliminated. Eliminated, not relocated. There was no point in keeping it around, so I spent a considerable amount of time redoing my front (engine bay) harness, and the result is that it's about a third of the size it was originally and I saved about 15 lbs. in relays, wire, and various other crap.
However, relocating wiring and relay boxes just to clean up the engine bay is ridiculous. Relocating the front relay box to the frame rail is fine. It's blocking potential air flow into the engine bay, and it's a minor one-day job. Trying to move the relay and fuse boxes to the bins, on the other hand...
Originally Posted by MrRx
Do anyone have pictures of what the bay looks like without all the electrical stuff, and where they relocated it too?
Originally Posted by jimlab
What's this sudden fascination with not having relay boxes in the engine bay? Why worry about something so trivial or risk your electrical system by trying to re-engineer it, or add weight by adding more wiring just to move the relay boxes out of the engine bay? What's the point? Everyone wants to be David Garfinkle now and re-engineer things that don't really need it?
I modified my wiring harness for a reason. I no longer have SRS, A/C, power steering, pop-up headlights, the stock ignition system, or a rotary engine. There was a lot of wiring relating to those things that could be eliminated. Eliminated, not relocated. There was no point in keeping it around, so I spent a considerable amount of time redoing my front (engine bay) harness, and the result is that it's about a third of the size it was originally and I saved about 15 lbs. in relays, wire, and various other crap.
However, relocating wiring and relay boxes just to clean up the engine bay is ridiculous. Relocating the front relay box to the frame rail is fine. It's blocking potential air flow into the engine bay, and it's a minor one-day job. Trying to move the relay and fuse boxes to the bins, on the other hand...
I modified my wiring harness for a reason. I no longer have SRS, A/C, power steering, pop-up headlights, the stock ignition system, or a rotary engine. There was a lot of wiring relating to those things that could be eliminated. Eliminated, not relocated. There was no point in keeping it around, so I spent a considerable amount of time redoing my front (engine bay) harness, and the result is that it's about a third of the size it was originally and I saved about 15 lbs. in relays, wire, and various other crap.
However, relocating wiring and relay boxes just to clean up the engine bay is ridiculous. Relocating the front relay box to the frame rail is fine. It's blocking potential air flow into the engine bay, and it's a minor one-day job. Trying to move the relay and fuse boxes to the bins, on the other hand...
Sorry to bump an old thread, but I'm finally getting around to do this and it's a nightmare!
The Engine harness was a piece of cake. But where the ABS CPU was located is an abortion of wires that lead every which way! It's fun working though all of it, but I'm debating of just going with a Painless Street kit.
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...part=prf-50002
Has anyone had any experience with Painless kits before? I wonder how hard it would be to work around the pop up light mechanism. Could I still use my PFC? I don't really see why not.
The Engine harness was a piece of cake. But where the ABS CPU was located is an abortion of wires that lead every which way!
It's fun working though all of it, but I'm debating of just going with a Painless Street kit.http://store.summitracing.com/partde...part=prf-50002
Has anyone had any experience with Painless kits before? I wonder how hard it would be to work around the pop up light mechanism. Could I still use my PFC? I don't really see why not.
Last edited by the_glass_man; Jun 10, 2006 at 03:35 PM.
Found a better one from Summit.
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
