Leverhead
Forum Newbie
Posts: 37
Loc: New Mexico
Reg: 02-05-11
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07-25-12 01:54 PM - Post#2252098
Hello all. I'm in the process of finalizing my install and have a question about the loose wires...specifically the red(injector and fuel pump power) and black (ground). I mounted my battery in the trunk and have the main power wires for the ECU back there as well as my MSD and other items.
Is it absolutely necessary to run the loose red and black wires back there too? I'm running out of room (and wire!) on my battery. I was thinking even my cig lighter circuit wire off the fuse block for the red, or a clean tap somewhere. Has anyone done it this way without issues? I can find a clean ground up front but power is getting harder to find. Thanks.
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Danny Cabral
Member
Posts: 3149
Loc: Ellington, CT
Reg: 11-03-04
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07-25-12 05:30 PM - Post#2252167
In response to Leverhead
That red wire ultimately powers the injectors, and that black wire is ground for the ignition.
Two things you don't want to compromise on. If you have a problem, you'll wish you had run them to the battery.
For additional accessory loads, install a second battery cable to a junction block, such as this: 
May God's Grace Bless You
'78 BRONCO: 508" stroker, TFS heads, Dominator MPFI & DIS, A/C, Lentech Strip Terminator AOD, 3:1 Atlas II, modified Dana 44/60-lockers-4.10s, hydroboost/4-disc brakes, ram-assist/heim-over steering, 4" lift, 35" tires |
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 Doug_F
Chevytalk Moderator
Posts: 4702
Loc: Bowling Green, KY
Reg: 08-20-01
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07-25-12 09:23 PM - Post#2252257
In response to Danny Cabral
THose wires don't HAVE to go to the battery. The ECU does. HOwever, you need "just as good power and grounds" for them as you would going to the battery. I would not run the red wire to the cigarette lighter. It possibly needs 14-16 Amps. What I do in cases like yours, is run 1 larger gauge wire (I run 4 gauge or so, but if it's just for that red wire, 10 is ok) to the front from the battery as well as a ground, then use something like Danny shows. That way you only have one power wire and one ground wire run from the back to the front for extras.
Doug
1972 Nova
6.0L LSx, 80mm BorgWarner, 4L80E
9.71@141 |
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Leverhead
Forum Newbie
Posts: 37
Loc: New Mexico
Reg: 02-05-11
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07-25-12 10:33 PM - Post#2252266
In response to Doug_F
Hi guys. Thanks for the responses. The 'cig lighter' circuit/wire in the EZ-wire harness is a 14 guage wire on a 20 amp circuit and 'on' all the time. The loose red ECU wire is 16 guage so I thought it would be plenty sufficient. Given this info do you believe the same? I already have 10 guage wire going across the floor to the trunk for the MSD and 8 gauge for the ECU power wires.
Also as far as the ground is concerned, with a car with electronics like this, I'm having some difficulty sorting out the grounds. It is a full frame car and currently have the body, frame and engine grounded at different points (body to frame at rear and at rear pass side, battery up to block and then block to frame, block to firewall to frame other side, radiator support to frame) with heavy cable. Now i'm wondering if it is safer to just ground the engine to the body on both sides and connect the battery neg to the body in the rear, using the body as the neg side 'conduit' only. Does this sound like a better strategy with MSD, ECU etc? Seems these cars never used the frame as part of the electric system. Sorry for all the questions again.
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Doug_F
Chevytalk Moderator
Posts: 4702
Loc: Bowling Green, KY
Reg: 08-20-01
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07-26-12 09:20 PM - Post#2252552
In response to Leverhead
If the cig lighter is new and sound, should be ok.
For the grounds, sounds like you have them good right now. The key is having the battery to block. The body is the last thing I'd use (although it needs to be grounded). People say to use the frame but some good cable direct is best. Obviously make sure the grounds are sanded/ground clean.
Doug
1972 Nova
6.0L LSx, 80mm BorgWarner, 4L80E
9.71@141 |
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Leverhead
Forum Newbie
Posts: 37
Loc: New Mexico
Reg: 02-05-11
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07-26-12 09:59 PM - Post#2252560
In response to Doug_F
Thanks Doug. Its been a long tedious effort but there is light now at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully will be running soon.
And thanks Dan - your input in my previous posts about the FAST dual sync dizzy with the Holley EFI has helped me get to this point.
Regards.
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