EFI harness: Stock, Ford Racing, or Painless?

[tonytheplumber]

I picked up a 5.0 with all of its related goodies from an acquaintance of mine. I received the factory wire harness and computer which is out of a late 80s or very early 90s mustang. My question is, should I dissect the factory harness or purchase a new harness from Painless or from Ford Racing? I don't want to have any issues with crusty 25 year old wiring or boogered up connectors so I was thinking about the new harnesses. Just looking for some experienced guys (not opinions of those who have no real experience) to help guide me in making the best decision. I'm sure pinouts are readily available and I have no issue with understanding the schematics, so that's not the issue in question here. If anybody here has used the Painless or Ford Racing harness, how was fitment? Are they truly plug and play or do they need modification? Things like that. They are competitively priced, but Painless is offering a $100 rebate on the harness if purchased before the end of this month, so that sort of softens the blow of the cost.
Any assistance is greatly appreciated, and thanks in advance.

 

[KyleQ]

I've had no issues with my 89' harness - its real easy to plug in everything you need and then remove the wires you don't at the PCM connector.

 

[zimm]

Im running a 93 mustang harness/computer, no issues. Wired it up according to the Ford Racing conversion manual. Mix of old used and new sensors, I think my new sensors were 02 sensors, temp, iac, the rest were used (MAF, TPS, BAP). Also ran new distributor/TFI. All running 96 explorer stuff...

 

[Broncowalt]

I used the Ron Francis harness from Summit on mine. I have an 89 mustang a9L and it was very straight forward. Plugged it all in and it worked. (So Far)

 

[ren71]

oem wiring is built pretty well and not that hard to install. I'm using stock 80s mustang harness and connectors and wiring still looks good and no electrical probs.

 

[4WHLFUN]

Ford racing harness

I'm using the ford racing harness made by DunneRight performance. The quality of the harness is great. It's all one piece so no salt and pepper connectors. Fitment is good and the FCRM is a nice adder. Designed to work with manual or auto PCM so no guess work at the O2 sensors. Comes with EGR delete as well.
Cant say the same for DunneRight customer service. Terrible. Non-existent.

 

[tonytheplumber]

Truthfully, I haven't even looked over the harness I received with the engine to see what sort of condition it is in. I suppose I can get a look at it and give it a try. If it looks to have been neglected or hacked I can always buy a replacement.

Does anybody have a link to a pin-out for late mustang 5.0 harness? I would like to be able to locate the power, ground, fuel pump lead, etc. I don't want to eliminate something I might need.

 

[EFI Guy]

 

[DirtDonk]

We sell three different Ron Francis EFI harnesses, including our version of the RF/RJM Bronco-specific harness, and both the standard and mega-long Painless harnesses.
If the Ford Racing harness is still available, it's been a good one too from everything I've heard. Thought they discontinued it however, but that might just be the version that came with all the sensors included (very nice!) or may just be sold through other sources.

Any of them will do you well. Including the repurposed factory harnesses. Lots of them running around. They're a little more bulky if used as-is, or more trouble if you pull them apart to get rid of any unused or unwanted circuits, or pretty expensive if you opt to have a stock one modified by one of the companies out there that do that kind of thing.
But hey, anything that gets the engine running well is a winner!

Good luck.

Paul

 

[zimm]

This also helped me installing my 93 harness:

http://www.fiveocd.com/?p=281

 

[KyleQ]

The Mustang stuff is so easy to do - the harness will practically sit where all your sensors are and there are just a few wires you need regardless.

 

[tonytheplumber]

Thanks EFI Guy! This will get me to where I need to be. Much appreciated!

 

[tonytheplumber]

This also helped me installing my 93 harness:

http://www.fiveocd.com/?p=281

Thanks zimm. I downloaded that manual. I glanced through it, but from what I saw I will be reading through it thoroughly before I start anything. Looks like a good resource.

 

[tonytheplumber]

We sell three different Ron Francis EFI harnesses, including our version of the RF/RJM Bronco-specific harness, and both the standard and mega-long Painless harnesses.
If the Ford Racing harness is still available, it's been a good one too from everything I've heard. Thought they discontinued it however, but that might just be the version that came with all the sensors included (very nice!) or may just be sold through other sources.

Any of them will do you well. Including the repurposed factory harnesses. Lots of them running around. They're a little more bulky if used as-is, or more trouble if you pull them apart to get rid of any unused or unwanted circuits, or pretty expensive if you opt to have a stock one modified by one of the companies out there that do that kind of thing.
But hey, anything that gets the engine running well is a winner!

Good luck.


Paul

I'll give you guys a call if I find my factory harness to have been hacked up or destroyed. Well, actually I'll be ordering some goodies from you anyway in the very near future. Gotta chip away at my shopping list.

The Mustang stuff is so easy to do - the harness will practically sit where all your sensors are and there are just a few wires you need regardless.

I kinda figured as much being a factory piece and all. I'd really like to use it as long as it proves to be in good shape. I'll be getting into in during October or November.