Soliciting ANY and ALL Help on Engine Wiring

[zanman]

Hi All - well as much progress as me and my 11 year old boy made on our build through July 2022 - we hit a wall where we needed the motor to progress, and unfortunately stalled out for 7 months when blueprint called me in June 2022 after a year waiting on my 427 ordered with them and told me they had no ETA on blocks and eventually gave up and just refunded me. UGH it really set my build back (and keeping an 10 to 11 year old excited while we waited was tough) - BUT Mike Forte saved the day and although I had to wait another 6 months for him to build the monster - the motor/tran package arrived a few weeks ago and was swiftly dropped in. The motor combo may be the most badass piece of machinery I have ever seen in person. Build is back on!

Anyway - the point of this post is to request help and visuals on wiring for my specific setup. I have literally spent days studying the wiring diagrams to try and figure this out (first timer on engine wiring obviously - but I actually review wiring schematics at work). So many variables - and so many wires in the bundles not used per the schematics it seems. My biggest concern is even though I think I know what goes to what - I don't know for sure. Here are the main components I am trying to connect and tie into the FFR supplied Ron Francis wiring harness - I'm wondering if anyone has this similar setup who can provide me guidance on what goes to what and maybe provide me some pics. 427 with Holly Sniper EFI, MSD Dual Sync Distributor, MSD Digital 6AL Ignition Control.

Thanks in advance. This forum has saved my rear more times then I can tell you. My son thinks I just know what I'm doing. If he only knew that I have to look here every night before each next step in the build he may lose all trust in me hahaha.

[Ernie Orwig]

Hi All - well as much progress as me and my 11 year old boy made on our build through July 2022 - we hit a wall where we needed the motor to progress, and unfortunately stalled out for 7 months when blueprint called me in June 2022 after a year waiting on my 427 ordered with them and told me they had no ETA on blocks and eventually gave up and just refunded me. UGH it really set my build back (and keeping an 10 to 11 year old excited while we waited was tough) - BUT Mike Forte saved the day and although I had to wait another 6 months for him to build the monster - the motor/tran package arrived a few weeks ago and was swiftly dropped in. The motor combo may be the most badass piece of machinery I have ever seen in person. Build is back on!

Anyway - the point of this post is to request help and visuals on wiring for my specific setup. I have literally spent days studying the wiring diagrams to try and figure this out (first timer on engine wiring obviously - but I actually review wiring schematics at work). So many variables - and so many wires in the bundles not used per the schematics it seems. My biggest concern is even though I think I know what goes to what - I don't know for sure. Here are the main components I am trying to connect and tie into the FFR supplied Ron Francis wiring harness - I'm wondering if anyone has this similar setup who can provide me guidance on what goes to what and maybe provide me some pics. 427 with Holly Sniper EFI, MSD Dual Sync Distributor, MSD Digital 6AL Ignition Control.

Thanks in advance. This forum has saved my rear more times then I can tell you. My son thinks I just know what I'm doing. If he only knew that I have to look here every night before each next step in the build he may lose all trust in me hahaha.

I am just starting my kit right now! Like you, I am searching for help on many things. No since on re-inventing the wheel. I have done several Snipers and EFI installs. if you have questions feel free to reach out to me. Thanks Ernie

[zanman]

Thanks Ernie - I very well may be reaching out for your EFI wiring experience. Good luck on kicking off your build!

[Papa]

In the Sniper Instruction manual, you'll want to study the wiring for your configuration.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=182069&d=1679796572

Be sure to read all the instructions until you are sure you understand them. You'll need to connect just a few wires to your Ron Francis harness (assuming that's what you have).

1. Battery +
2. Battery -
3. 12v switched
4. Fan control
5. Fuel pump control

The coil connects to the CD box. (What coil are you using?)

You'll also get a tach signal from the Sniper or CD box.

Dave

[CraigS]

I am not sure exactly how far along you are on positioning the harness but here is a thought. Lay out the harness over top of the engine. Now at the end of each wire figure what it is and where it needs to go and put a flag of masking tape on near the end. Use a sharpie to label your flag. You may end up pulling individual wires out of the harness sheathing at least for now. The idea is to slowly but surely figure out every wire. If you have pulled some wires loose you can make a new harness branch w/ a quick wrap of masking tape. Figure a position for the MSD box also. I like to end up w/ masking tape holding the wire to things like the sensors. The wire may be too long so just tape it on as it passes by the sensor. This way nothing is permanent until the very end. It is surprising how often you will have a wire run to a temp sensor and then realize if I jiggle lengths a bit I can put 3 wires together which will make things look more tidy. Also, I like the split loom better than the wrap spiral loom. It is much easier to to ad or subtract a wire when you can open the split a little to do it. You can usually find it at the popular auto parts stores but here is a source for special purpose loom.
https://www.delcity.net/store/Split-Wire-Loom/p_800821?msclkid=7735a72941d61aedcd38c30972c5f8e0&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Loom%20-%20Broad&utm_term=automotive%20split%20wire%20loom&utm_content=split%20wire%20loom&utm_term=automotive%20split%20wire%20loom&identifiers=kwd-73530041295307:loc-190&Campaign=Loom%20-%20Broad&CampaignId=361477659&AdGroup=split%20wire%20loom&AdGroupId=1176478325578596&AdId=73530086250353&Network=s&msclkid=7735a72941d61aedcd38c30972c5f8e0&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Loom%20-%20Broad&utm_content=split%20wire%20loom

[mikeinatlanta]

I am a fan of CraigS's approach. One wire at a time until you run out. It's a bunch of single wire problems, not a big wiring problem. I'm also a fan of gaining the capability to do all terminations, placing components where I want them, not where harness length dictates. If the harness is long enough to put something were I want great. If not I just do a new and longer wire.

[Papa]

Much like CraigS described, when I installed my new EFI and ignition setup, I laid it all out and identified all the connections before moving to the car.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=166532&d=1652147937

Then I spent a bit of time understanding what each loose wire connection was and where it needed to tie into the Ron Francis harness. You'll be surprised at how simple it really ends up being when you get to that point. The Sniper only requires four wire connections to work, and just a couple more to add functionality like the tach and fan. For me, wiring is a step-by-step process done one wire/connection at a time.

Dave

[CraigS]

...It's a bunch of single wire problems, not a big wiring problem....
Mike that is a great quote. Thank you.

[zanman]

Thanks all - I am going to dig in again tomorrow on wiring layout with this feedback.

My boy and I got the powersteering lines hooked up today (thanks to Mark at breeze who set us up perfect with all the fittings). Also got Fortes hydraulic clutch setup and mechanical throttle setup installed today. My son said it was his favorite day of build so far. It was a progress day for sure.

[Mike.Bray]

A couple of important notes that I learned the hard way.

Not all instructions are correct, cross reference.

If using the Holley dual sync use the crank signal wire (purple/White), not the cam signal wire (Purple). Some instructions/tech people tell you wrong.

Make sure the 12V switched to the ECU has full voltage during cranking. From the RF fuse block I used the orange wire labeled EFI or Coil. If you come off of the ACC side the voltage will drop during crank and you won't have fire.

Don't ever let the smoke out of the wires. Once you do you can never get it back in:)

[zanman]

I spent alot of time studying wiring diagrams and piecing the wiring together over the past few days - thanks for the feedback it really helped. I'm getting there. I have some specific questions (some seem silly).

1.) I know I have to connect the orange and black wire bundle from the 6AL to the wiring of the coil. The coil has it's own wire adapter insert with one red/purple wire and two green/yellow wires. What's the linkage here? See pic below.

2.) The main positive line from battery (not sure if I am mounting in trunk per FFR or going with Breeze engine bay bracket) gets mounted directly to the starter it seems. Does that mean that all other direct connect positives (i.e. from EFI and 6AL) connect directly to starter positive? Or do I truly need to run them both directly to the positive terminal on the battery? The 6AL positive feed line is rather short.

3.) Doesn't look like a negative (ground) cable came to connect direct to battery as with the positive line in the kit. I see one in pics I have looked at - are you guys fabricating that? Where are you terminating it from the battery of you put the battery in the engine bay?

4.) Re: the Breeze engine bay battery mount - is my brake line on the outside of the 4" tube cross gonna interfere with installing that if I go with it? Another pic below.

5.) Anyone able to send me pics of how you cleaned up the engine area and behind dash from wiring perspective? Good chance to brag here!! I'm worried about the wires around engine.....but in general there are SO many wires and I really want a tight look.

Thanks again

182269182268

[Papa]

This may help if your engine builder didn't provide all the component manuals. This is a description of all the wires coming out of the MSD 6AL:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=182270&d=1680207065

For your questions on direct battery connections, I recommend following the recommendations in the manuals, particularly for the Sniper.

I used these fancy battery terminals to keep things clean.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=167459&d=1653935256

[CraigS]

"2.) The main positive line from battery (not sure if I am mounting in trunk per FFR or going with Breeze engine bay bracket) gets mounted directly to the starter it seems. Does that mean that all other direct connect positives (i.e. from EFI and 6AL) connect directly to starter positive? Or do I truly need to run them both directly to the positive terminal on the battery? The 6AL positive feed line is rather short."
I don't like doing it that way. The starter is way out of the way, difficult to get to and there isn't room for many extra wires on that stud. I like to run the battery cable to the starter. Then I run something like a 10gauge wire from the starter stud up to something like this mounted nearby on firewall or top of footbox.
https://www.westmarine.com/blue-sea-systems-st-blade-compact-4-circuit-fuse-block-17054206.html
Your 10ga wire goes to the stud at bottom of the picture and then you have 4 possible fused outlets to use. It will be hot at all times so insulate the 10ga very well from header heat and damage.

[Windsor]

I spent alot of time studying wiring diagrams and piecing the wiring together over the past few days - thanks for the feedback it really helped. I'm getting there. I have some specific questions (some seem silly).

1.) I know I have to connect the orange and black wire bundle from the 6AL to the wiring of the coil. The coil has it's own wire adapter insert with one red/purple wire and two green/yellow wires. What's the linkage here? See pic below.

2.) The main positive line from battery (not sure if I am mounting in trunk per FFR or going with Breeze engine bay bracket) gets mounted directly to the starter it seems. Does that mean that all other direct connect positives (i.e. from EFI and 6AL) connect directly to starter positive? Or do I truly need to run them both directly to the positive terminal on the battery? The 6AL positive feed line is rather short.


You can do it either way:
a) multiple lines at the battery clamp
b) clamp -> starter -> power dist block/fusebox/whatever

(a) can be easier to service, depending (e.g. pulling the starter)
(b) looks much cleaner when the hood is open


4.) Re: the Breeze engine bay battery mount - is my brake line on the outside of the 4" tube cross gonna interfere with installing that if I go with it? Another pic below.

Yeah, that's going to be in the way of the Breeze battery mount.