Wiring Guage

Thom71GT · 03-04-2004

Ok, Im going to start to buy the wire to make my own new wiring harnesses. Is there ONE guage that I need to get or are there multiple guages?

Where have you all found to be the best place to buy the wire? Home Cheapo?

Also, has anyone seen the ad for that Quick Strip tool on tv? Have anyone bought it? It looks awesome.

BQS4 · 03-04-2004

Thom;
most of the car will use 16-18 gauge wire, just different colors to help code/route them. Some of the behind-dash stuff is 20 gauge. Heavier current draw systems, i.e., starter, charging, ignition, will use 10-12 gauge. I 'm sure there are more expert opinions as to which sizes/coatings, but, that's generally what is used.

houserc · 03-04-2004

Thom,

Contact JJ at Destec to get his version of the wiring diagram. He has the various wire size recommendations and even some of the changes he suggests making, on it.

Very good investment.

BTW, I was thinking about building my own also and I think a conversation with Denis at Opel GT Source may have given me second thought for now.

Chris

Thom71GT · 03-04-2004

Ive got his diagram, but it has been inbetween my mattresses since I bought it to flatten it out. I havent looked at it, so I guess I didnt realise it had the guages on there. Thanks

I thought about an EZ wire kit or other after market kit, but I think that they would just confuse me more because they wont have wires that go to the SPECIFIC connections that I need.

I bought a dash plate on ebay to a 71 GT that had its harness still attached. I figure I can use that one as a guide to build one from scratch. What did Dennis say to you that made you have second thoughts?

namba209 · 03-04-2004

Thom, do a search for Phase IV on my V-6/T-5 engine swap, you'll see how much fun it is to rewire a GT. Of course I did a lot more than just a rewire, I had to integrate the engine harness and computer into the GT harness, but it was/is a lot of fun. With the harness out of the car the whole job should take a couple of days. Care should be excercised when replacing wires, they have to be the same or longer length, by a little, to make sure it all goes back the way it came out. One thing I did on mine that may help, I spliced in the replacement wires with the correct (original color-coded) wires on each end. Once you take off the gray sleeve, the original wires are very brightly colored inside it. HTH.

Ron

03-04-2004	#1 (permalink)
Thom71GT Life Long Opeler Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Metro Atlanta - Cumming, GA Posts: 686	Unanswered: Wiring Guage Ok, Im going to start to buy the wire to make my own new wiring harnesses. Is there ONE guage that I need to get or are there multiple guages? Where have you all found to be the best place to buy the wire? Home Cheapo? Also, has anyone seen the ad for that Quick Strip tool on tv? Have anyone bought it? It looks awesome. __________________ Thom - Ich liebe mein GT I've had my 71 GT since I was 3 when my father brought it home, and I'll have it till the day I die!!!!

03-04-2004	#2 (permalink)
BQS4 Southern Red Neck Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Snellville, GA Posts: 6,028 Real Name: Gene Provided Answers: 12	Thom; most of the car will use 16-18 gauge wire, just different colors to help code/route them. Some of the behind-dash stuff is 20 gauge. Heavier current draw systems, i.e., starter, charging, ignition, will use 10-12 gauge. I 'm sure there are more expert opinions as to which sizes/coatings, but, that's generally what is used. __________________ "Yes, I do have a rifle rack in my Sportwagon"

03-04-2004	#3 (permalink)
houserc 70's Opeler, back 4 more! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Shawnee, KS (Kansas City Area) Posts: 409	Thom, Contact JJ at Destec to get his version of the wiring diagram. He has the various wire size recommendations and even some of the changes he suggests making, on it. Very good investment. BTW, I was thinking about building my own also and I think a conversation with Denis at Opel GT Source may have given me second thought for now. Chris __________________ Two left turns don't make a right, but three do!

03-04-2004	#4 (permalink)
Thom71GT Life Long Opeler Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Metro Atlanta - Cumming, GA Posts: 686	Ive got his diagram, but it has been inbetween my mattresses since I bought it to flatten it out. I havent looked at it, so I guess I didnt realise it had the guages on there. Thanks I thought about an EZ wire kit or other after market kit, but I think that they would just confuse me more because they wont have wires that go to the SPECIFIC connections that I need. I bought a dash plate on ebay to a 71 GT that had its harness still attached. I figure I can use that one as a guide to build one from scratch. What did Dennis say to you that made you have second thoughts? __________________ Thom - Ich liebe mein GT I've had my 71 GT since I was 3 when my father brought it home, and I'll have it till the day I die!!!!

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03-04-2004	#5 (permalink)
namba209 6,000 Post Club Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Imperial Beach, CA South of San Diego Posts: 6,054 Provided Answers: 6	Thom, do a search for Phase IV on my V-6/T-5 engine swap, you'll see how much fun it is to rewire a GT. Of course I did a lot more than just a rewire, I had to integrate the engine harness and computer into the GT harness, but it was/is a lot of fun. With the harness out of the car the whole job should take a couple of days. Care should be excercised when replacing wires, they have to be the same or longer length, by a little, to make sure it all goes back the way it came out. One thing I did on mine that may help, I spliced in the replacement wires with the correct (original color-coded) wires on each end. Once you take off the gray sleeve, the original wires are very brightly colored inside it. HTH. Ron

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