Hello,

I have an 86 TA that I got for parts w/o powertrain. It was a TPI car, but now less the TPI, ECM, and wiring harness from bulkhead connector into engine bay.

I want to throw a cheap 350 into the car carb'd to get it running for as little as possible(to start!). Does anybody here know where I could gather up some kind of harness that I could use to get this beast running? I don't know if I need a specific 86 carb harness, or if I could get any to work. I checked junkyards, all harnesses I have seen are chopped and hacked to pieces. If anybody would have leads on something like this, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!

-Dustin

 

Everything you need to run a non-CC, carbed engine comes into the engine bay by the brake booster - starter, alternator, coil, and sending units for coolant and oil. Actually there are two harnesses there; the other one runs the lights and wiper motor. A wire to operate an electric choke can be run from the 'IGN' terminal of the fuse panel.
The one problem you may have is with the speedometer - if the ECM was hacked out, then the VSS 'buffer box' has probably been removed as well, along with the sending unit from the transmission.
http://www.hioutput.com/tech/speedo.html

 

Yes, I know that the bulkhead connector is actually in 2 pieces, I do have the piece still connected for the lights etc., but the piece where basically everything else comes through the firewall into the connector was ripped out, so there is no wiring in the engine bay. I do have a wiring diagram to show which wires hook up where on the connector, but I think it would be easier if I just had a harness.

I believe my 86 TA has an electric speedo, b/c if I remember correctly, the yellow box is still under the dash where the ECM should be. The car is w/o transmission though, so obviously no VSS unit.

What harness would I be able to use for this kind of setup? I'm just not sure if different years of Firebird/Camaro used different bulkhead connector's/harnesses, and if I can ONLY use a harness from an 86 car. Thanks again,

-Dustin

 

I'm in the midst of swapping my 89 Iroc from TPI to carb also, "however mine does have a mechanical speedo" I sold the origional harness with the TPI engine and what I did was purchase a harness from a member that came from a 89 TBI car. When it comes time for the wiring I'm gonna it sit down with the harness & the shop manual and modify/ alter it to fit my new engine setup, which is nearly sensor free. I'm no authority as to which harnesses will work or not, but I dont think there are any differences from year to year in the bulk head connection. If I were in your shoes I would try to find a harness from a 85 to 87 and do the same as I "sift thru the wires & alter it to fit your application". Most harnesses from fuel injected injected cars have an abundance of wires which make swaps to carb pretty simple. A correct year shop manual is extremely valuable in situations like these.

Hopefull this helps ya some, Bruce

 

If you want a harness that will plug right in (if you're using a Q-jet and a coil-in-cap HEI), try to find one from an 82-87 carbed V8. Pretty much any other thirdgen harness can be made to fit by changing a few connectors.
I used the V6 harness when I swapped a V8 into my 83 SC a few years ago by changing a few connectors and lengthening the choke wire, then used the original Camaro V8 harness when I put that engine into my 89 Formula. I still have the modified V6 harness if you get desperate for one - I'm in New Brunswick. It's not pretty, but it worked.
Good to hear the box is still there for the speedo, you'll just need to find the appropriate sending unit for the trans.