Hey guys, Im back in town for a while. Been thinking pretty hard about how to improve building harnesses for the people of this forum. My biggest issue is simply not being home for all the necessary Q&A required and then the actual assembly of the wiring. Been debating a shift from 100% custom built harnesses to a more modular approach using pre-fab harness sections

I went over the last 100 harnesses Ive built and it seems about 3/4 of people really dont use any of the custom options offered. Most primarily want a LS1 into a 3rd gen, nothing special. Strait from the 4th gen to the 3rd, no changes to be had. While there isnt anything wrong with this, it opens the door to some pre-fab options to expedite the process on my end and cut down on the extensive wait times most guys see during my peak travel times

My plan is to pre-make different harness sections to follow the bulk of builds. There are some benefits and some drawbacks and Id like to get some feedback

Pros:
Reduced lead time. While I cant totally eliminate this, it can be cut down. Harnesses take 12-16hrs each plus about a week and a half of Q&A. Hard to fit all that into my time home when its 1-2 days (in most cases)
Reduced cost. With pre-fab Ill be building them in batches during slow times. Bulk is cheaper in the long run than individual custom
Interchangeable. I get several return customers trying to move parts from one car to another and need a small tweak. With this you change the adapter harness section and plug it into the new car
The build sheet will all but go away

Cons:
Less options. Nearly everyone runs AC, utilizes the harness extension and dual fans, there really isnt much reason to offer not running them
Need adapters for changes. Small things like switching from stock to newer EV6 injectors or changing from a stock 75mm to 85mm MAF would require adapters. Most people never need these so the bulk would remain stock
?


These harnesses will consist of a body harness matched to year/trans and house all the relays/fans/fuses used. Additionally there will be a main engine harness matched to the trans
If you read my wiring threads in the swap sticky these largely will resemble the results of the 3rd gen harness prep and LS1 start to finish threads. The mating of the two will will be through an inline connector

In a nutshell, someone putting a LS1/T56 into an 88 Camaro that originally had an auto would simply use the 88-89 auto body harness and LS1/T56 harness. If he later moved the combo to a 91 T5 camaro, then only the body harness would be switched for a 90-92 manual version. If the LS1 blew up and a LS3 replaced it, then the LS1/T56 part of the harness would be switched for a GEN IV/T56 harness

Id still offer full custom builds like I do currently. Not like anyone else offers LS1 control for LS2's with LS3 top ends without a dozen adapters. This is focused on the bulk of customers looking for a plain LS1 into a 3rd gen

Would anyone be interested in these?

 

I would. That would give me the option to start with a 411 PCM and lingenfelter converter. Then I could change to E38 ECM later if I want.

 

I like the idea

I know that I have no idea what your custom options consist of.

Just reminds me that I need to hurry up and order a harness from you soon! lol

 

For something like that, Id suggest going custom

Using a LS1 harness on say a LS3 would still need a few adapter harnesses that Id build into the new harness. IMHO, it doesnt make sense to order a new part then immediately order a handful of other adapter parts to make the new piece work with what youve got. EX: INJ adapters, CAM extension, MAP adapter, Knock extensions

Custom means you tell me what you want to do and I make a one-off harness to match that exact combo in that exact car. If its LS or LS controlled I can build a harness for it. The only thing I cant do is adapt hardware incompatibilities EX DBC on a GEN IV ECM, 6spd auto with a GEN III PCM etc

Examples of some custom things people have requested: HO2's moved for custom exhaust setups (turbo). Custom length TPS/IAC for SC that moved the TB. INJ, MAF, MAP changes. Hidden coils

For anyone not doing a plain LS1 from a Fbody complete, custom is the way to go. Most people use the complete dropout so IMHO this seems a viable solution

 

I would certainly be interested in this! I love the harness you built me for the 1989 - all I need is a reason to do another build.

 

If my Camaro doesn't sell, I would be interested in this, too.

 

It is a great idea if you are willing to take the risk, hopefully small, to per-built harness section. It allows speed and simplicity for the standard swap, and for someone who has time to wait and wants a one off that is still possible.

 

Every other manufacturer is going to the modular harnesses so it would make sense for you to move in that direction too.