Relocating Electrics
One objective of my planned MGB-V8 conversion is a clean engine bay free of as much wiring/electrics as possible. Apart from the workload required, is there any technical hazard or fault with relocating the fuse box, relays, voltage regulator etc...in the trunk? I'd like to fab a dedicated "panel box" in the trunk for a clean dry installation. Appreciate any lessons learned from the field !
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BlownMGB-V8 Jim Blackwood 9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042 (6498 posts) Registered: 10/23/2007 12:59PM Main British Car: 1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS |
Re: Relocating Electrics
Main disadvantage is the size of the wiring bundle from the trunk to the dashboard area.
Jim |
Jim Stabe Jim Stabe San Diego, Ca (830 posts) Registered: 02/28/2009 10:01AM Main British Car: 1966 MGB Roadster 350 LT1 Chevy |
Re: Relocating Electrics
I relocated the PCM behind the drivers seat. It required lengthening about 40 wires with one gauge larger wire and soldering and covering the joints with shrink tubing. To Jim B's point it made for a large bundle but not difficult to manage once bundled.
Another thing you can do to clean up the engine compartment is to route the front wiring (headlights, turn signals, horn, etc) through conduit in the fender wells |
DonB Don Bonar Prairie Village, KS (80 posts) Registered: 09/09/2011 10:06AM Main British Car: 1971 MG-B 95 GM 3.4 V-6 |
Re: Relocating Electrics
Bill,
Think the previous posts hight the high points... Like you, I wanted to "clean up" all those scattered electical connections on the inner fenders. Here are a few tips that you've probably already thought of. I ran PVC pipe between the inner and outer fenders for all the wiring running to the front. When I pulled the wires thru, I also added two additional cords because I just knew I'd forget something... or later decide to run more, after things got buttoned up. Sure as heck, I had to use one... and stil have a spare. (plan ahead) Should have used the space inside the rocker pannel frame under the right door, to pass wire to the rear . while I was replacing the rot. (Didn't plan ahead!) I use the mysterious access holes in the inner fender near the firewall, to mount a modern fuse box with the fancy fuses that glow if blown. (they always blow when it's dark and your flashlight batteries are gone) Mine is a simple carb engine so didn't have the ECU to deal with... so much easier and smaller. Still don't understand why electricity doesn't run out of the wall and make a puddle, when you unplug something! Don B. |
BlownMGB-V8 Jim Blackwood 9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042 (6498 posts) Registered: 10/23/2007 12:59PM Main British Car: 1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS |
Re: Relocating Electrics
Must be like those air hose couplers. Probably why the outlet end is always bigger.
Jim |
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djw090 David Witham Warwick UK (115 posts) Registered: 06/12/2008 11:20AM Main British Car: MGB 1974 and MG ZT 160 turbo 2005 |
Re: Relocating Electrics
On a left had drive car it might be easy to mount a fuse box on the cabin side of the bulkhead behind the glove box. This is very close to where the loom comes from the dash to go through the bulkhead and might reduce your new/lengthened wires to those forward of the bulkhead. The gearbox/overdrive/fuel pump/rear lights part of the loom could go out through the grommeted hole used by the RHD speedo cable.
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