Shielded Cable Recommendations

[5.3LS10]

Any recommendations for shielded cable for crank and cam sensors? I am finishing up some wiring on a recent LS swap and so far no issues but figured I would rather just run the correct cable that is recommended now rather than after I finish putting everything back in the looms.

I have looked a couple different places online but was not sure exactly what to get. Im assuming 20-22 gauge stranded 3 conductor automotive grade? Anyone have any suggestions/recommendations?

Thanks
Shane

[DaveEFI]

I use a good quality balanced mic cable - some may call it XLR cable. If it can survive stage use by a rock band, it's usually ok on a car. Look for one with a dense woven screen. As a good one will have. And silicone rubber insulation for good flexibility and heat resistance.

[Ollie8974]

I use this two wire.
http://www.diyautotune.com/catalog/wire ... 5c1e182db7
Or this single wire.
http://www.diyautotune.com/catalog/wire ... 5c1e182db7

[5.3LS10]

I use a good quality balanced mic cable - some may call it XLR cable. If it can survive stage use by a rock band, it's usually ok on a car. Look for one with a dense woven screen. As a good one will have. And silicone rubber insulation for good flexibility and heat resistance.

That is a great idea. Never would have thought of it. I do have an old xlr cable I can use.

I use this two wire.
http://www.diyautotune.com/catalog/wire ... 5c1e182db7
Or this single wire.
http://www.diyautotune.com/catalog/wire ... 5c1e182db7

I did not know diyautotune sold that. Very nice. Does anyone sell a 3 conductor? I think I would need 3. Signal, VCC, and GND? Or does GND connect to the shield on the connector end then go to GND on the DB37 side? I thought the connector side was supposed to "float" and not connect to anything.

Thanks, Shane

[DaveEFI]

Carrying on with the mic cable theme (I'm a sound engineer, so have all sorts of it in 'stock') star quad is a four conductor plus screen which gives much better interference rejection with balanced mics. But obviously could be used for other purposes.

[Raymond_B]

Quick question about running a shielded cable through a bulkhead. How is the signal quality affected when you have to unwrap the cable and run it through a bulkhead fitting?

[DaveEFI]

If the bulkhead connector has a grounded metal body, it shouldn't make any real difference. However, I prefer not to use a connector for this. The fewer connectors in any loom, the better. Make a hole large enough to run the complete loom through and use a suitable grommet.

[arran]

I'm using the DIY autotune cable linked above, the 2 core item. I like the cable because it is physically quite thin so it does not add much bulk to the wiring loom.

I have 2 runs of this cable for a Rotary VR sensor, and I used another 2 runs for 2 knock sensors.

[nismoautoxr]

I will chime in here on this. Just make sure that you either choose a cable whose conductors' insulation is capable of withstanding engine compartment temps especially on the crank on an LS motor or you make sure that you insulate it adequately from the heat. I bought some cable from radio shack that had a good outer sheath that was totally good with the temps but the insulation on the individual conductors inside the sheath was not up to the task of the temperatures. The wires ultimately failed inside and made contact with no signon the outside that it was happening. Really sent me on a journey of intermittent RPM loss that took a week or so to get a handle on .