MG Midget Madness (i.e. It was either this or kill it with fire)

[GySgtFrank]

Originally Posted by FirstGenBeast666

I've just started with my first Rx7 build ; So I started looking for forums .(. Always like as much info as possible) & I ran across this thread read through all 13 pages ! .. && I'll say .. I'm probably more excited to see your complete build, then my own ..

Thanks. I really need to get this thing running for DGRR in April. My poor 79 1st gen has never made it as I can't quit tearing it back apart. Good luck on your build, keep plugging away at it and it will get done eventually.

Originally Posted by TitaniumTT

I never bought one, club bought them all but after killing two in quick succussion, the allowable cost was cut by 90% from the $150 range lol

It would probably be OK for personal use as long as nobody "borrows" it.

[GySgtFrank]

One 1987 GXL RX-7 wiring harness, complete front to rear, ready for transplant into the MG.

RX7 wiring harness by Kevin Frank, on Flickr


I figured I would work on this while waiting for my muffler stuff and radiator.

This is the harness that came out of the same car as the engine and transmission. I will need to do a fair amount of modification to make it work with all the MG peripherals. Considering how 40 years of previous owners have performed a Texas chainsaw massacre on my original harness, it will be necessary to replace the wiring anyway. This way I know everything matches and I get a relatively modern fusebox and connectors for everything in the car, not to mention being able to keep the cruise control and other modern refinements if I need them. This will be a street driven car, so a few creature comforts will make it more enjoyable to use.




Now on to stripping the wiring out of the MG.

[GySgtFrank]

I seem to have a bit of a mess.

wiring mess by Kevin Frank, on Flickr

[almoststockfc]

Holy crap

[GySgtFrank]

Originally Posted by almoststockfc

Holy crap

Well, it is from an FC.

[TitaniumTT]

In that case you just increased your HP by lots and the cool factor by eleventy million

[GySgtFrank]

Fuse box, CPU, and Cruise Control box mounted.

Fuse box, CPU, CC unit mounted by Kevin Frank, on Flickr


There was an unbelievable amount of time in de-pinning and putting new plug ins on wires to accomplish this. It drives home why it is expensive to have custom wiring done. The amount of time involved is ridiculous.

[GySgtFrank]

... and the ECU mounted.


ECU mounted by Kevin Frank, on Flickr


This was a lot easier as all it required was running the harness through the firewall and mounting the box to the underside of the passenger foot well.

[hades]

What not get a custom harness kit for the body and a standalone doe the engine?

[GySgtFrank]

Originally Posted by hades

What not get a custom harness kit for the body and a standalone doe the engine?

Several reasons. One of the biggies is money. When I spend the money on a standalone it will be for a turbo engine for the SA. It would be a bit of overkill for a naturally aspirated engine. Secondly the entire harness needs replaced anyway. It has seen better days.

[GySgtFrank]

clutch and brake switches by Kevin Frank, on Flickr


Mazda brake and clutch switches mounted to the MG pedal box. I had to modify the box a bit and provide a small relief cutout in the inner fender area. The Midget came with a single brake switch and no clutch switch. The Mazda uses a slightly larger double brake switch and a clutch switch for the cruise control. I eliminated the clutch interlock switch as it would have been a pain to adapt and is really an unnecessary doodad. The wires had to be extended to run up to the loom going through the firewall, but that wasn't a big deal.

[GySgtFrank]

For those that may have thought I had given up. Here's a shot of the main dash harness, stripped, repackaged, and hung. Progress has been slow due to life getting in the way, but I'm still plugging away at it a little at a time.

wiring - dash harness by Kevin Frank, on Flickr

[almoststockfc]

Man i know the feeling. From having a baby, to trying to build a house, and dealing with hassles of building something. It takes time. Looking good

[GySgtFrank]

Thanks, confusing as all get out when you keep forgetting which wire went where.

[TitaniumTT]

Originally Posted by GySgtFrank

Fuse box, CPU, and Cruise Control box mounted.
on Flickr

looks good!

Originally Posted by GySgtFrank

There was an unbelievable amount of time in de-pinning and putting new plug ins on wires to accomplish this. It drives home why it is expensive to have custom wiring done. The amount of time involved is ridiculous.

That... All of that.... ask Bawb what is original estimate was to crimp and pin the ECU harness on FrankenB and what the actual time was?

(hint - 2 & 2 And that doesn't include the two days i had in building the engine harness itself!)

Originally Posted by hades

What not get a custom harness kit for the body and a standalone doe the engine?

I asked that same question in BAW, well.... I asked Painless Harness and stock ECU harness

Originally Posted by GySgtFrank

For those that may have thought I had given up. Here's a shot of the main dash harness, stripped, repackaged, and hung. Progress has been slow due to life getting in the way, but I'm still plugging away at it a little at a time.

Flickr

Looks awesome sweetie! 10 weeks! Jo0 can do it!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by GySgtFrank

Thanks, confusing as all get out when you keep forgetting which wire went where.

Squirrel!!!!!!! Is my biggest problem when wiring. That's why I generally crank the music or wear earbuds & wear a sign on my back that says, Fuck Off, Wiring! Disturb at your own risk!