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Discussion and questions related to the course Practical Motorsport Wiring - Club Level
I'm wiring a 2001 Mazda Miata engine into a 1990 Miata with an MS3Pro PNP ECU. This is a modified street car. I'm also adding an auxiliary power circuit for some additional accessories. This has left me with a few questions.
I need to power a wideband controller (5A fuse), Driving lights (10A fuse), Small subwoofer (15A fuse), Fuel pump (15A fuse), Upgraded PWM radiator fan (50A Auto-reset circuit breaker), and I want to have an extra relay and fuse for future expansion. I think I can fit the relays, fuses, and a small distribution block in the passenger footwell next to the ECU where they will be covered by a protective plate. The MSD solid state relays I'm using have short circuit protection so there are no fuses on some circuits.
I've attached a diagram of my intended power wiring. My questions are:
1) Does it make sense to pull power from the battery? Should I pull from a place like the alternator or starter which are physically closer than the battery?
2) The MSD 7564 Solid State relay block I plan to use has screw terminals. Will wire ferrules be sufficient to make a reliable connection?
3) Does this strategy make sense as a whole? As I look at the factory wiring I have doubts. The factory battery cables seem to be smaller than the 2AWG cable I plan to use and the main relay is only 80A.
If the battery is in the engine bay, based on the info provided, I'd consider a weather sealed distribution block in the engine bay, fed by your new 2AWG wire.
From there I'd distribute to the items in the engine bay without running cabling into the cabin then back out. Fuel pump and subwoofer would continue from the distribution block to the rear of the car.
This is just my 2 cents, certainly not the only way it could be done, but I try to keep heavy gauge runs as short as reasonably possible.
I should've pointed out that the battery is in the trunk. That's the factory location. I agree, if it were in the engine bay that would make a bit more sense.
I did something similar to what you describe in my E30 drift car. It also has the battery in the back, but there's a positive post in the engine bay so it's as if the battery were in the front. The Miata doesn't have anything like this in the engine bay.
I suppose I could put all of this in the trunk near the battery but it would be difficult to cover up.