Drag Car Wiring Advice

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BHB4408

BHB4408

BHB4408
Joined
Aug 29, 2022
Messages
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Location
Edgewood, WA
Im building a 1972 Dodge Dart, 10.5 second goal. The car has been stripped to 2,800 pounds w/the cage installed. I have no dash panel anymore, guages are separate, and steering column has no ignition key unit anymore. I want to have lights, inside and out. Otherwise, I just need wiring to run the car down the track. I'm not planning to have any fancy computers or monitoring units.

I have the OEM Wiring Harness, but nothing is marked.

Question; Do I install the original wiring harness and figure out where to run the wires where they need to go (just not connecting wires that go nowhere), or should I buy an aftermarket Wiring Harness, and rewire the entire car? It doesn't seem like that would be too difficult, and certainly a little cleaner.

I appreciate any advice. What have you done? Thank you,
 
K&R wiring harness Switch panel .
That's what I bought, it was highly recommended by people smarter than me .
You're cars going to faster than that I bet.
 
After market wiring harness, determine how many circuits you need and order accordingly. I'd include brake lights, even for a drag car. 65
 
Painless wiring makes such “Drag Car” harnesses.
 
Definitely aftermarket with a switch panel. Don't even bother with the OE Chrysler stuff. First off, it's ancient at this point and modern wire is lighter/better. The factory starting/ignition/charging system is a real PITA, it's so much easier just to bypass all that crap. Ditch the bulkhead connector as well and use sealing grommets where the harness goes through a panel. Run the headlights off relays for sure. Battery in the trunk? If you're going to have an alternator, figure out how you're going to shut it off with a disconnect.

Try to plan your needs out as best as you can. Don't want to wire the car then realize that you forgot a fan or something.

I have a Ron Francis "Bare Bonz" fuse panel I'd be willing to sell if you're interested. I've had it for a while but it was never installed. I may have some other stuff I could include with it as well if you can figure out what you need.
 
As all have stated, go aftermarket fuse block and wiring for sure! Take your pick - plenty out there to choose from. All will be better than cobbling 50+ years old wiring!
 
Digital Delay - Leaders in Drag Racing Technology

My choice….. :)
Made my own bracket for the switch panel to bring it in better reach strapped in. Supplied harness was nice. Was a fun long overdue project.

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Aftermarket with a switch panel. If you still want to use the key to crank the engine over, that’s easy, just don’t use the ballast resistor because they go bad. So make sure the ignition is wired through a a separate switch.
Take your pick, painless, K&R (my personal choice), ARC, Digital delay, Leash, too many to list. But no matter what you pick, it will hands down be better than the stock wiring harness.
 
I would add that Haywire Wiring makes good stuff. Easy to work with too. Darrell (the owner) will answer the phone in the late afternoon/evenings to assist in any way.
 
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I'd put a headlight/brake light circuit in it just in case you need it. Plenty of options available for a bare bones rewire.
 
Thank you for the guidance. I will scrap the worn out OEM stuff and go aftermarket. I appreciate the people on this site. What a great resource. More questions to come, I'm sure.
 
BHB4408 said:
Thank you for the guidance. I will scrap the worn out OEM stuff and go aftermarket. I appreciate the people on this site. What a great resource. More questions to come, I'm sure.
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Where are you going to be racing at mostly at Pacific raceway?
 
Yes. Pacific Raceway, Southern Oregon Speedway and Woodburn. I live in Medford Oregon now, but travel to Auburn Washington to visit my parents every six weeks or so.
 
BHB4408 said:
Yes. Pacific Raceway, Southern Oregon Speedway and Woodburn. I live in Medford Oregon now, but travel to Auburn Washington to visit my parents every six weeks or so.
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Don't forget to check out Toutle Motorsports Park. It's about 10-15 minutes east of i5 at exit 49.
 
BHB4408 said:
Yes. Pacific Raceway, Southern Oregon Speedway and Woodburn. I live in Medford Oregon now, but travel to Auburn Washington to visit my parents every six weeks or so.
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Cool, maybe I'll see you around.
 
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