Any insight on the 03 Impala, how hard is it to take the car apart ie. moulding trim? How about running power leads from the battery any easy ports through the firewall?
Thanks
Mike
03 Impala
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mikerabbit
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007
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- What radios do you own?: W7 FPP lowband MaraTrac w/AES
Molding- Not a problem. Just pull firmly and they'll snap off.
Wiring- Three choices:
#1. There is a factory wiring harness that comes thru the floorboard near the firewall on the passenger side. You can run a few wires thru the rubber plug. As is, there is room for at least two 8ga. wires and four or more 12/14ga. or smaller wires. Just make a small slice in the boot on the exterior side of theis plug, run the wires out following the factory harness up to the battery area, and then silicone the hole.
#2. Put your own hole next to the harness rubber plug in #1. Only problem with a new hole is the power steering rack is right behind. Be careful if you drill a new hole - check the clearances first!
#3. There is a ~1 inch hole in the firewall just right of center (behind the exhaust manifold). On cars with center consoles, this is were the shift cable comes thru the firewall. On the rest (including 9C1/9C3's) this hole is plugged and not used.
I chose #1 because I have a center console (so #2 has the cable running thru it and I chose to leave it alone) and because #2 is right behind the manifold. I have seen installs all three ways, and none have failed yet. Just do what works best for your needs.
Wiring- Three choices:
#1. There is a factory wiring harness that comes thru the floorboard near the firewall on the passenger side. You can run a few wires thru the rubber plug. As is, there is room for at least two 8ga. wires and four or more 12/14ga. or smaller wires. Just make a small slice in the boot on the exterior side of theis plug, run the wires out following the factory harness up to the battery area, and then silicone the hole.
#2. Put your own hole next to the harness rubber plug in #1. Only problem with a new hole is the power steering rack is right behind. Be careful if you drill a new hole - check the clearances first!
#3. There is a ~1 inch hole in the firewall just right of center (behind the exhaust manifold). On cars with center consoles, this is were the shift cable comes thru the firewall. On the rest (including 9C1/9C3's) this hole is plugged and not used.
I chose #1 because I have a center console (so #2 has the cable running thru it and I chose to leave it alone) and because #2 is right behind the manifold. I have seen installs all three ways, and none have failed yet. Just do what works best for your needs.
Do not make Sig angry...he'll just keep ringing the bell.
Don't use the center hole- there is WAY too much heat near it.
I make a 3/4" hole in the corner rib near the firewall/floowpan seam. It comes out behind a heat blanket on the exterior of the firewall. Trim it with a knife. You'll clear the steering rack okay in this location. Route cabling behind the coolant puke tank.
Removal of the strut tower brace is necessary for tank removal.
I make a 3/4" hole in the corner rib near the firewall/floowpan seam. It comes out behind a heat blanket on the exterior of the firewall. Trim it with a knife. You'll clear the steering rack okay in this location. Route cabling behind the coolant puke tank.
Removal of the strut tower brace is necessary for tank removal.
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mikerabbit
- Posts: 67
- Joined: Mon Oct 07, 2002 7:17 pm
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007
- Posts: 1546
- Joined: Sat Nov 23, 2002 5:22 am
- What radios do you own?: W7 FPP lowband MaraTrac w/AES
A word of additonal wisdom if you go with #1:
There is plenty of room in the exterior boot to run the wires thru, however you will need to make a slice in the boot to run the wires thru. Use a utility knife to make a slice in the boot, but make the slice from front to back on the left side of the boot, not left to right, or you run a very good chance of slicing the harness.
Personally, I think I would go with Jim and make my own hole. If I ever have to redo mine, that is what I'll do. Mind you, I have had no problems, but at least haveing your own hole means you don't have to worry about the factory harness.
There is plenty of room in the exterior boot to run the wires thru, however you will need to make a slice in the boot to run the wires thru. Use a utility knife to make a slice in the boot, but make the slice from front to back on the left side of the boot, not left to right, or you run a very good chance of slicing the harness.
Personally, I think I would go with Jim and make my own hole. If I ever have to redo mine, that is what I'll do. Mind you, I have had no problems, but at least haveing your own hole means you don't have to worry about the factory harness.
Do not make Sig angry...he'll just keep ringing the bell.