How important is originality in the wiring?

dhanna

dhanna

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I'm just spit balling here
I have great success wiring my other project 1966 Mustang with a fully custom body harness of my own design using the system provided by Infinity Box LLC (THIS IS NOT A SHAMELESS PLUG) see mustang restoration photo album here:

https://goo.gl/photos/hJB67U6D7sLeSQCn8

I am considering using their system again for my E9 Project.
Has anyone done this. Why should I keep my original harness instead? (Previous owner made alot of engine bay and under dash splices)

http://shop.infinitybox.com/INFINITYWIRE-20-Circuit-Wiring-Harness-p/inf3boxz.htm

they also have controlers for the windows and the A/C if I so desire

Ultimately I may end up restoring the stock harness even if it takes longer just in the interest of saving the cash.
I just wanna understand the importance of keeping the stock wiring.
 
That's quite a system.
If you're rebuilding instead of restoring then this would probably be a great way to go.
Probably end up with a simpler system with less wires and safer circuits.
 
m5bb said:
If you're rebuilding instead of restoring then this would probably be a great way to go.
Click to expand...

Agree, with m5bb, but with some qualifications:

1) If you are building a "resto-rod", and never plan on showing or selling it, then sure, make whatever modifications you wish. But eventually your widow is going to have to sell it, and if her ad says "custom electrical system installed by owner", you had better warn her that some low-ball offers are likely. I'm sure you do outstanding work, but most electrical modifications performed by DIY mechanics are pretty sketchy.

2) $1,552.50 for a fuseholder, some wire and a few connectors!!!!! I know InfinityWire also provides some tech support, but you can source the components necessary to re-wire a car for a whole lot less than $1,500 bucks.

3) These things always have a lot more features than a vintage car really requires. 20 circuits?? Do you need a dedicated circuit for each tail light? It just seems like you would be paying for more complexity than you really need.

4) One of the beauties of a 45-year old car is how simple it is. I can see replacing the old fashioned Bosch fuses with blade-style fuses and the corresponding holder, which will increase reliability and be mostly hidden. But beyond that, do you really want/need an electrical system that looks like something from a Tesla?
 
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i would keep it stock as these things are going to be well worth your time
its really now that difficult and i can help if you need it
 
The original harness is very high quality wire, and infinitely repairable. Even if the wire crumbled to pieces, I would just replace it all with GXL wire. In the case of a car this old, a kit like that adds complexity in my opinion rather than subtracting it.
 
These are all great points.
As to the complexity of the Infinity box system I feel it's a little simpler than most kits out there but then I've rewired a couple other vehicles besides the Mustang (famously cocky last words I know)
I think Aerch Makes a great point the restoration would be more worthwhile, satisfying, AND economical if I try to salvage the stock harness. I will probably go the route of keeping the stock harness. I presently have no intent of selling the car when I'm done but we'll have to see how I feel when I get to the end of the tunnel.
And 'Original wiring' will be a good selling point to a future owner should the need arise.
THANK YOU GUYS!
 
I don't see any consideration for resale cost, one way or the other, either with repairing the stock harness or creating a new one from scratch.

However, I would suggest a repair because the wires/wiring diagrams for the E9 are nicely color coded and with a non-stock harness, the next owner may be in the dark, literally.
 
Will there be a wiring diagram and how comfortable would you feel, as later buyer, buying non-original (but perhaps clean and neatly done) wiring?
Haven't looked at the source pictures, are the wires color coded somehow (preferably DIN standard)?
 
I put in a modern 12 circuit harness from Painless and its a lovely thing.

45 year old wiring is sketchy, brittle and problematic. A simple ground short will fry your system from a crusty 45 yr old switch is seconds...ask me how i know.

The painless harness is labeled every 6 inches as to what the wire is....named painless for a reason. Been dead reliable to with simplyfied , relocated modern fuse box.

If i were to look at a old car with a new wiring harness, thats a plus in my book.

Just my 2cents, good luck.
 
Not Familiar with the DIN standards sadly.
Some here have opined that original wiring no negative effects on resale value.
I'm unsure if I plan to resell (Would really like to keep it for several years and enjoy it )
I think I'll err on the side of caution and keep it stock... for now.
What I liked most about the infinity box system was that it completely takes all high power switching out of the dash and reduces it to just 5V logic.
Infinity Box was SUPER helpful with figuring out my Mustang application and they are great about creating custom configurations and documenting really really well what each trace is for.
Ultimately I think cost is my main deciding factor.
Should I spend the money to buy my time? or
Should I spend my time to save my money?
Return On Investment (ROI) for time or money is extremely important.
This is a great discussion!
 
I was in the same spot with my restoration a while back, my harness was abused to say the least. I was thinking of buying a repro original harness from autosparks, but at £1,176.00 inc VAT + shipping it's alot of $$$$.
So we removed all the tape from the existing harness and step by step fixed everything that was wrong with it. It turned out great in the end, but it sure took some time.

I just got a tip that a 3.0csi harness is for sale on ebay.de, I don't know the condition of it other than from the pictures, but it's quite cheap!
http://www.ebay.de/itm/Original-BMW...44001?hash=item282593efc1:g:XfoAAOSwmfhX68Lp#
 
My car is too original to consider replacing the wiring harness with something modern unless I find some hidden issue. I love the fact there's only 10 fuses. I haven't had a chance to dive into electrics as my car is waiting for it's spot in the garage for major rust repair, but I think I'll be ok overall. I have carbs, so there's no engine management to worry about.

When I restored my '54 VW beetle, the wiring at either end of the car had taken a beating and the insulation was dirty and brittle.
Having parted out several newer VWs, I had a supply of correct gauge, color coded wire that I used to repair the harness.

I cut the wire back until the insulation was good and made a soldered splice that I covered with heat shrink tubing. Then with a new connector, I had a virtually invisible repair that looked entirely stock.

I've been told that while BMW does list some wire as available, it's not the same size/color code as what we have. I don't have a harness from a BMW to pull from, but that would be my first choice. Being German, it's possible that similar vintage cars may have the correct wires that could be used for repair. I'll have to look at the local salvage yard when the time comes for electrical repairs.

Ian
 
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