How hard is an LT8 install?
 

I was always planning on having my mechanic install an LT8 in my car. Then I looked at the price of them getting them direct from MT, and its like $750USD. How hard/long is an install of one of these? I mean I installed my s-afc/boost controller/gauges. With the wiring diagram how hard could it be? My local rotary performance shop said its like 10 hours, so does that mean it will be like twice as long for me or what? Thanks alot.

I did mine in 6hrs start to finish, on a near stock car. I had done a few haltechs and things before, but that included parts runs, and alot of grabass time.

10hrs is a large estimate in my opinion unless they include the tuning.

The install is pretty simple and the Microtech wiring diagram is pretty good.

Well what all is involved really? I mean, how many wires do I need to run, etc?

when i got mine every single microtech wire was labled and said where it went and to what color. as long as you take your time and solder and heatshrink your connections then it will be fine.

You don't splice the MT to the stock wiring do you?

I've done an install on my car, as well as helped my brother do an install on his (both S4s). You should be able to build most of the harness in 3-4 hours outside of the car, and then install it (e.g. hook up the coil packs, and power to the LT-8) in 1-2 hours.

For both harnesses, the only connector we reused was the front-side of the CAS connector. That, and in my car, I spliced into the stock harness, to connect to the coil packs.

The only prior electrical experience I had prior to installing my Lt8 was learning to solder. For god sakes, I wasn't even confident enough to hook up jumper cables.

However, I spent a couple hours reading over the wiring diagram and identifying the wires that corresponded to the diagram, and one day just decided to go for it. Total time it took to complete the install was roughly 5 hours. It started right up and everything was perfect! I was only slightly confused in wiring up the ignition to the coils... but I had that answered and everything was fine.

It honestly isn't very hard at all. You would probably even have fun doing it.

Mine all came labeled. Not including times where I was scratching my head trying to figure out their picture of a connector in comparison to the one I had it probably took me 3-4 hours to do. Pretty easy. Just take your time, the diagram that comes with the unit is 95% self explanitory.

You guys got me pumped up thinking I can do it. Hopefully I can, lol.

the only parts pf the stock wiring i used was jsut enough towards the end of the sensor/connector so that i could solder it into place. i tried to incorporate factory connectors wherever i could so that i could unclip it from the sensor instead of removing the sensor form the block to work on it.

i did it in about 8 hrs, but i made a harness out of an old spare, so i had to remove the intakes. This was my first EMS install, too.

Hooking it up is not bad at all. I was in the same boat as ifini, zero experence, but figured i was going to have to pay somone to do it for me..I may as well, put in teh ecu..than i wanted to run the wiring harness...than i started running the wires....about 6 or so hours later, i was done:) The only problem i had was my own fault..a cold solider joint

As far as I know, AaronCake, Piranha, and my self hold the world record install time......The three of us working together got it done in 1.5 hours, in a parking lot, 5 hours away from home:)

well, i will not have any experience at all either. i'm getting mine soon. can't wait... should be fun.

where did u guys get your microtech units? im searching online and they are all so expensive from online stores...

what can i used back on my stock car? i already sold the wiring harness and stock s5 ecu...i currently have the power side harness only...

i only have very little electronics background.... thanks

get one used. you need to know how to solder and how to chase wires. other than that...its easy.

pat

serious =).... thanks a lot..... how do i hook it up to the power side wiring of my car?