New or Old loom?!
Turbo Mini Forums

Alright guys,

Ive lost my way abit with the Mini at the moment and need some guidance from you experts.

I need to buy a loom for my clubman build but im unsure on whether to buy a new one or not. Ive got a jap alternator, different gauges and a megajolt so some of it is going to need some modifying anyway?

Is it worth me buying a new one or will most of the loom be cut up? My guess was that alot of the wires will be going to the same place, i'l just need different connectors for stuff, and some extra wires for the mega jolt stuff.

What would you do? :)

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If I remember correctly, your car is the ridiculously smart blue one, I'd be tempted to buy a new loom, that way it will all look smart and fresh and not have 20 years or so of grime on it.

That said, my shed would get a second hand loom:)

Do you have the original loom or are you starting from scratch? If you don't have a loom then you would probably find it difficult to get connectors for headlights, dash switches etc. I am actually in the same situation as you but I have a donor loom so I am going to modify that as I can't afford a new loom and then start cutting it up

On 12th Nov, 2009 Paul S said:

I think Gary OS has taken over my role as the forum smart arse

Most of the connectors are easy, but things like stalks and switches you'll need a donor loom for.

I'm starting with my original loom and adding an auxilary loom to do anything that's none standrad on the car (fuel pump, megajolt, stereo etc etc). It will be run from it's own independant fuse box.

I'll be leaving all the existing loom in place, but terminating dead wires and re-wrapping it in new loom tape. I'm having custom stalks and dashes switches etc etc so there will be a lot of work for me to do...

Here's a few good places to look for wiring stuff:

http://www.polevolt.co.uk/
http://www.autosparks.co.uk/
http://www.cbsonline.co.uk/
http://www.autoelectricsupplies.co.uk/
http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/VWP-...me/homepage.php

Not that relevant to your case, but im in a similar problem. Im going to be running a toyota engine, so have got to make a working loom out of a starlet. I think ill either get a loom custom made or convert the starlet one to fit in a mini.

In boost we trust

Do you mean old style as in 4 fuse box and very simple or late loom with every imagiable relay switch and module built in. Or by old do you mean second hand?

Own the day

I would call autosparks, tell them you have a miniclubman, and want a custom loom, and have them build it for you.

That is the easy way to do it.

Or,

Personally - I'd ask them to supply a new, un-wrapped (but binded) loom, which you can assemble onto a loom board you make yourself, add in the extra wires you need, then wrap it yourself.

The loom tape is really easy to use, and if you study how the factory looms were taped, it is easy to follow - basically start at the small branches off the main loom and tape backwards into the main loom a few inches. Once all those are done, you then start at the longest end (with a new, ful roll of tape) and work backwards towards the major connector / largest end...

It is very saisfying creating a loom yourself - but if you can buy 90% of the wires/connectors already assembeld, and 'off the shelf' then why not simply start there, then customise and wrap to your own specifcations.

WVP does the loom tape. A proper crimping tool to suit the connectors you choose is expensive, but essential for an 'OEM' grade connection.


T

Ahh ok thanks guys,

I will see about getting an unwrapped one Dave, im not sure I can afford to buy one from autosparks. I imagine it would be expensive!

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Call and ask - you might be surprised!

Ive been lucky enough to find somone to make me a custom loom for mine, but im keeping it as simple as poss.

I would if poss buy new then add to or as dave sugests call autosparks for an un taped one.

Insted of using looming tape ive just used conduit ?, am thinking if i have a problem then it saves un-taping. Then if you add loads off different wires there all hidden so it looks neat.

Remember theres nothing worse than an old corroded loom with nothing but problems.

rick

Unless you know exactly how the wires are configured in one I would get one of the shelf as they can hide many faults that are hard to track down.

Own the day