So didnt think wiring would get so complicated. Have to wire in some relays and fuses under the hood. So when you delve into this the widely available PVC coated wire like from autozone or advanced is not ideal. So I'm now looking at the TXL and GXL type wire. What has most used here as it's all over the map. Only difference is the insulation thickness as GXL is thicker than TXL. Supposedly my Holley harness is all TXL. Just like some opinions. Thanks

 

Thicker insulation is better if the wire is in a place where it might rub on something, where it's exposed to the world at large.

Thinner is better when you have to fit lots of wires into less space and they're protected.

TXL is fine if it's all in split loom or otherwise kept out of harm's way.

 

All my underhood stuff is in the F6 woven split loom. Interior is mostly for gauges and loose ran together but not in loom. So a GXL is comparable to size of a PVC?

 

I don't know that it's that big. Most of that cheeeeeeep PVC stuff is pretty thick.

In the interior, protection isn't as big of a deal, except where the wire goes over edges, near moving parts, etc.

 

The other reason to use TXl is the cost. The thicker the insulation, the more it costs.

If it is any consolation, GM uses TXL on the engine harnesses in newer vehicles. It holds up well, much better than the original wire in our third gens came with.

 

Call me crazy, but pretty much anything better than the trash on the shelf at the auto-parts store, or hardware store, is probably going to be fine. Pretty sure when I rewired 2/3rds of my dash for the Firebird, I used all TXL and it was considerably better than the factory wire I repurposed. I stripped all the airbag wiring out of the dash harness, and reused a bit of it where appropriate. All the TXL wire was better than anything else in the existing 1991 harnesses.

I shopped around a bit, and ended up with a few different packages of TXL wire purchased on Ebay. Seemed it was the easiest way to get relatively small quantities in a variety of GM colors. Only complaint was one seller who listed specific colors I needed in the listing, and sent out an assortment that had a few colors substituted. Not like it matters much considering all the wiring is wrapped into the harness before it goes back in the car, but I'd have preferred to keep the colors in line with the various diagrams I was using.

I'm probably not the best person to ask though... I still have to finish the body, and get everything reassembled before I power up the harness and see where the smoke comes out and I have to make improvements.

 

Just you and everyone else responding is very helpful. To be honest I didnt know that GXL or TXL was even a thing. I just ran across it when I bought some wire from Tony at CE. Kept seeing this Txl and Gxl wording and delved into it. Well glad I did. One place I found if your still in the market was wire barn. Most places want you to buy hundreds of ft. So Txl is fine for everything? Have to do some underhood relays and fuse panels.

 

Oof that place is expensive, I just went and looked. If you just need a few feet, that works compared to buying hundreds of feet. I need some 4/0 wire and they are like 2.5-3 times more expensive, lol

I have been buying most of my stuff from Waytekwire.com but I am buying in low volume "bulk". But I am building entire harnesses from scratch, so it works for me to save the money buying more.

If anyone has a place, I am looking for braided ground strap without having to buy it in bulk. So far I have looked over at Delcity, but they are a little expensive on that too. Might just have to buy pre-made straps with terminals already on

 

I bought 10ft of 1/2 braided ground strap for 11.99 in eBay. You might find something there.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/10-FEET-1-2...896?nav=SEARCH

 

So I need 10 gauge in red and black 50 ft each. Waytek wants you to order 250ft min. Dont need that much. But its like 33 cents a ft. Wire barn is around 55. I just need a place by the ft cheap. Anyone have another dealer they know of? Thanks

 

i wouldn't use pic coating wire in a car. if they burn or melt the fumes are very toxic this is why its not used in aviation.

 

I also use Delcity, they let you order smaller quantities