Shortening Drive By Wire cable

[davepl]

Friend of mine is installing an LS7 and trying to keep the cables as short as possible. The throttle pedal harness is about 5 feet longer than needed, so rather than coiling it up under the dash, he'd like to shorten it.

They're shielded and GM specifically says "DO NOT MODIFY" but I don't know if that's a liability precaution on their end or a genuine practical concern.

Online it sounds like they're hard to resolder, being high nickel content wires, so better to repin or crimp. I can't find any indications online of people having any problem or interference afterward.

The safe answer is "don't touch it" but I'd feel better if anyone knows WHY.

[toolboxchev]

If its would be dealing with cable length GM has it that long for a resistance issue. That of course has crossed your mind.

[mongocanfly]

I've seen the issues brought up about resistance before.. ..I've also seen several builds here where the harness was cut to shorten and/or lengthen wiring...
lm curious what the answer is as well..

[ls1nova71]

I would say its more corporate CYA (cover your ass) than anything. . They don't want to be responsible for anything. I've never had any problems shortening any wires, and would think they would be similar to the LS3 I wired.

[mongocanfly]

good to know ls1nova...I know I want to lengthen my main harness cause I want my ecm under the seat..Im gonna use psi harness and I was told they did custom lengths but when I contacted them they said no customs..

[BR3W CITY]

Its possible, you just need to be cautious. The low voltage reference stuff is very sensitive to changes in resistance. So that needs to be taken into account when considering things like splices, connector types etc. I would not cut and solder in the DBW line anywhere. but shortening and repinning into a factory connector is pretty doable.

[indymachinist]

Originally Posted by BR3W CITY

Its possible, you just need to be cautious. The low voltage reference stuff is very sensitive to changes in resistance. So that needs to be taken into account when considering things like splices, connector types etc. I would not cut and solder in the DBW line anywhere. but shortening and repinning into a factory connector is pretty doable.

^What he said.

If this is to be done, shortening and recrimping a factory terminal on the end is the way to go. No solder, no splices, no but connectors, etc.

[87chevy.com]

Originally Posted by indymachinist

^What he said.

If this is to be done, shortening and recrimping a factory terminal on the end is the way to go. No solder, no splices, no but connectors, etc.

Couldn't have said it any better... terminals are like probably .25 cents each..