EFI Connection's Commitment to Quality
Fuel Injection Enthusiast,

When it comes to the topic of quality, I’ve never had interest in making my personal thoughts public. I would rather let EFI Connection’s quality continue to speak for itself. However, after a recent troubleshooting experience of a “new” LS1 engine harness that has been purchased elsewhere at bottom-dollar pricing, it really bothered me and I thought it would be good for consumers to know where other shops (or individuals) are cutting corners while selling products that can be received as defective or quickly fail. What’s deceitful is that these bottom-dollar harness prices, with the claims of superior quality, give consumers an incorrect perception of what it costs to produce a quality product. Before I get to the specifics of this troubleshooting experience, let me share a few other thoughts about how EFI Connection does business.

I find myself spending less time negotiating prices and more time identifying and doing business with companies who demonstrate and deliver products of the highest caliber. Over the past few years, EFI Connection has made opportunities to build relationships with some of the best in the industry. For example, through shop visits and joint projects, I’ve seen first-hand the quality of work and wealth of knowledge that comes from Tuned Port Induction Specialties (TPIS) of Chaska,MN. By first-hand, I mean that I’ve walked through their manufacturing facility, seen the equipment they use, know the competence of the machinists, and continue to regularly share thoughts and experiences with their engine tuner. While some of the higher priced throttle bodies on the market, I only stock their throttle bodies on the shelf because they are all precision CNC manufactured and eliminate the sticking and operational flaws we have experienced with lower quality cast throttle bodies. I recall a dyno session where a popular brand name throttle body would not allow for adjustment to 0% throttle position; an important adjustment prior to beginning custom PCM tuning. Did you know that most would not even know this was an issue or have the tools available to check this? EFI Connection does not have a variety of the same type of product, but you can be sure that the products we do carry are of the highest quality we can get.

The machine work for our 24x and 58x products is done locally by a production tool and die shop that continues to amaze me with their level of detail and continuing commitment to quality. I have had phone calls and email from shops across the country and even internationally to offer production services (at lower cost and lesser quality materials) than what we are currently paying and receiving from our local production machine shop. I’m uninterested in lesser quality for the sake of higher profit. Does that not sound right of a business owner? Then look at the harness supplies and production tooling we sell; we use them in the manufacturing of our harnesses. Look at our billet aluminum/steel products; we don't even sell cast aluminum alternatives. My job is to demand high quality of our suppliers and pay the price it requires. Since December 2008, EFI Connection has enjoyed customers having nothing but product success related to our 24x system. This success is largely due to the quality of our products and level of support.

Now let me tell you about the troubleshooting experience of a “new” LS1 harness. This harness was sent to EFI Connection for a quality check prior to installation...

Advertised to be Built with TXL insulated Wire

Not as advertised. I took a sample of the wire and applied soldering temperatures. The wire insulation in this harness melted under heat. I then applied a flame to the wire and found that the insulation quickly accelerated the flame!		 Melting Insulation
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 Non-TXL Wire
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 TXL Wire (what should be used)
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With the flame acceleration properties of this wire, what do you suppose will happen to this harness if flame is applied to the main trunk or if it is exposed to extreme exhaust manifold heat? Notice the TXL wire does not spread the flame. See our TXL wire selection.


Crimping using General Repair Tools
The crimp quality demonstrated in this harness reflects the use of general repair hand tools. While these tools are issued by Packard/Delphi, they are not intended for production use. Crimps with general repair tooling require solder for a reliable connection... which EFI Connection does not recommend because solder can flow into the terminal and block the receiving, or mating, terminal. Notice the general repair crimps at left and our production tooling crimps at right. The danger here is a potential high resistance connection and a wire that may pull out of the terminal. The other mistake here is that 22-20ga terminals are used on 18ga wire. This means there is not enough material of the terminal to properly grab the copper and insulation of the wire. General Repair vs Production Crimp
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 General Repair vs Production Crimp
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Used and Modified Connectors
Dirt and debris could be seen on some of the connectors of this "new" harness, suggesting junkyard parts as part of the harness assembly. The connector at the left has been slotted with a blade to mate with a GM coil pack harness. The correct connector for this application is an active Delphi part that is easily obtainable through a distributor (or as EFI# 100-00062).

Also giving away the use of used connectors are connector seals that don't match current Delphi connector assemblies. Notice the most current revision of the connector at right (EFI# 100-00048) uses an orange connector seal and not a blue connector seal. Showing further evidence of a used connector, the attaching tab appears to have been once released by a bladed tool.		 Modified Used Connector
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 Used Connector
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Wrong Connectors
This harness was built for a 1999-2002 LS1 PCM, which is a 24x crank sensor system, but the crank sensor connector is incorrect for this applicaton. The connector installed on the harness is for use with a 58x crank sensor; a sensor not found on or compatible with the 1999-2002 LS1 engine. In addition to the wrong connector being installed, the wires are not installed in the correct connector cavities (A, B, C). Notice in this picture that the connector on the harness will seat no further in the 24x crank sensor than as shown.

This harness was advertised to be quality because it contains GM (Delphi) connectors. What use is the claim to quality when incorrect connectors are used, modified connectors are used, wrong terminals are used, and crimp quality is poor? 		Wrong Crank Sensor Connector
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Other Problems with this Bottom-Dollar LS1 Harness
  • GM wire colors are not consist with GM schematics. Only a small variety of colors are used.
  • Wire sizes do not match GM schematics.
  • Flimsy ground ring terminals are used.
  • Wire lengths are uneven at sensor connector ends. This results in tight areas that can fatigue early.
  • Pull-to-Seat connector seals intended for 22-20ga wire where 18ga wire is used. This results in connector seals that do not seat fully in the connector.
  • Diagnostic connector is not included. An extra cost option?
  • Connectors not labeled. An extra cost option?
  • No fuse block assembly or relay(s).
  • Ignition and battery wires are not labeled for fused protection.


YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR
Other than the crank sensor connector being incorrect, there is good chance that this harness is going to be functional in the least. As an ethusiast of the fuel injection hobby, what concerns me most about low-quality, high-production engine harnesses is that there are other enthusiasts putting a lot of time and money into a custom fuel injection conversion and a low cost engine harness looks attractive. I've experienced $100,000+ vehicle builds that, near the end of completion, look for lower priced alternatives to keep the project within budget. It is disappointing that some of the low quality products are used on such high dollar vehicle builds.

AND SOMETIMES YOU GET LESS THAN YOU PAY FOR
I recall reworking 8 injector adapter harnesses for use with early LS truck injectors. While handling the adapters, several wires pulled easily from their terminals! These adapters are currently being sold by a very well respected name brand. Beware - sometimes you get a lot less than you paid for.

Sincerely,
Mike Noonan (Owner of EFI Connection, LLC)

EFI Connection, LLC has no intentions of defamation to any individual, business or manufacturer. Comments regarding the troubleshooting and quality of the above harness assembly are specific and true of the harness being critiqued. The information above is freely demonstrated so that you are equipped to ask the right questions of your harness builder that ensure you are receiving a quality product.