General Motors V8 Discussion Discussion relating to getting the most out of your LSx or other GM-based V8 Miata's engine

Getting a harness made, Decisions to be made.

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Old 01-10-2015 | 08:14 PM
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SupaDupaSteve's Avatar
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Default Getting a harness made, Decisions to be made.

I'm getting a chase bays harness for an LS engine.
Chase Bays Engine Harness - GM LS | Vortec V8 Throttle Cable - GM LS Series - ChaseBays.com

So far all I've got is an L33, so that leaves me with lots of choices for connectors. I'm looking for advice on what connectors I should pick that will be beneficial. IE- Truck MAF connector over camaro for X reason. Also, parts availability is a concern too.
The only things I know so far are
ALT- Type 1
KNOCK- Type 1
CAM- Rear of engine (Gen III LS)

I can provide anymore information if needed. Any and All help is appreciated. Thank you.

Last edited by SupaDupaSteve; 01-10-2015 at 08:27 PM.
Old 01-10-2015 | 11:58 PM
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I stuck with mostly stock LS1 connectors. There may (arguable) be better connectors available - like Deutsch. But if everything is stock, it's easy to get replacements 5-10 years from now.

The only thing I changed was the MAF. I used a blade type that includes the air temp sensor.
Old 01-11-2015 | 08:07 AM
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Originally Posted by .boB
I stuck with mostly stock LS1 connectors. There may (arguable) be better connectors available - like Deutsch. But if everything is stock, it's easy to get replacements 5-10 years from now.

The only thing I changed was the MAF. I used a blade type that includes the air temp sensor.
I didn't mean different connectors in that way, I meant like a corvette o2 sensor plug vs an fbody 02 sensor. If you click the link you'll see there are a few options for most of the plugs on the harness.
Thank you
Old 01-11-2015 | 10:32 AM
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This is overwhelming. Because as of now I still need to buy basically all my parts and trying to figure out what all parts are going to work together is tricky.
ls1(EV1) inectors vs LS2(EV6) injectors
what style size maf is going to be the best? etc.
Old 01-11-2015 | 10:05 PM
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Ok, well after hours of research today I've come to a decision. I'll post what I chose and why, but if you've got input please post as there's always more information.

Coils- I went with the Truck/ LS2 style. I've read (some conflicting opinions) that the truck coils are better than the standard LS1 coils. Plus, I've already got the truck coils that came on my L33.

Injectors- I went with the LS2/EV6 Injector style plugs. LS1 are EV1 injectors which are old technology, and the EV6 is a more modern design that has a better fuel atomization or spray pattern. Also, The ls2 injectors support more power than the ls1 injectors. But another thing to consider is that the LS2 injectors are shorter than the LS1 injectors so they cannot be used in the LS1/6 intake unless you buy adapters and Orings. I plan on running an LS2 intake manifold/fuel rails/injectors, now the LS2 is DBW stock but I'm going to run a DBC throttle body which I'll have to buy from an aftermarket source. LS2 is a 4 bolt throttle body and the LS1/6 is a 3 bolt. Now, I'm sure you've read that the LS6 intake out flows the LS2 intake, well with some port work, the LS2 intake will surpass the performance of the LS6.

Alternator- I went with the standard GM LS1 4 pin style plug. It's the most common plug type. Some GTOs and trucks used other connectors.

Knock sensor- I went with the Gen III style knock sensor style. The gen III blocks (LS1, trucks, etc) have the knock sensors in the valley. The later gen IV blocks (ls2) have the knock sensors on the side of the engine block.

O2 sensor- This really doesn't matter too much. an o2 sensor is an o2 sensor. I chose the truck/corvette connector due to the truck would probably be the most common and easy to find at a parts store when I need to get sensors. also, when pricing BOSCH upstream o2 sensors, the truck one was a few bucks cheaper than other styles.

MAF/IAT - I went with the LS2/truck style as they are better than the separate MAF/IAT like LS1 have. Also, again with the availability over the other styles is a deciding factor for me.

MAP- You'll need to know what intake manifold you're going to run to pick this. LS2 have the GM style MAP sensor up from. LS1 have the GM sensor in the back of the intake. The LS3 had a bosch style MAP sensor at the front of the manifold.

Cam sensor- Again with the GEN III and GEN IV difference. GEN III have the cam sensor in the back next to the oil pressure sender. GEN IV have them up front.
Old 01-11-2015 | 10:21 PM
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Yeah, I didn't figure you meant just the electrical connectors, but meant the components on the other side of the connector.

Like I said, I used all stock LS1 components except the MAF. For everything else I didn't see any big improvements with other components. When something goes wrong, troubleshooting and replacement should be fairly easy. In theory. I hope.
Old 01-11-2015 | 11:18 PM
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Sorry man been gone all weekend. Lots of piecing things together in that one! Just wondering why you didn't just use the harness that ran the engine in the vehicle it came out of?
Old 01-12-2015 | 07:05 AM
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Originally Posted by .boB
Yeah, I didn't figure you meant just the electrical connectors, but meant the components on the other side of the connector.

Like I said, I used all stock LS1 components except the MAF. For everything else I didn't see any big improvements with other components. When something goes wrong, troubleshooting and replacement should be fairly easy. In theory. I hope.
Shouldn't be any different really. Just different connectors for better parts

Originally Posted by charchri4
Sorry man been gone all weekend. Lots of piecing things together in that one! Just wondering why you didn't just use the harness that ran the engine in the vehicle it came out of?
I bought the engine used from a salvage hard. didn't come with a harness, and it was a truck anyways which are different from the f body LS1 harness. Really the only thing I can use from this engine is the engine itself. So If I've gotta buy everything separately I might as well plan it out with my power/goals in mind. And if the harness is being made to my spec, why not get the connectors that I want that will make my build easier?
Old 01-30-2015 | 11:45 PM
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I m in a similar boat.
After hours of research I decided to go with BP automotive.

My second chose would be psi.
Then painless after because painless gives a free ECM flash

Last edited by mazdaspeedmiata; 01-31-2015 at 12:39 AM.
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