Painless or American Autowire kits - Lateral-g Forums

Moabdude · #1 10-03-2006, 06:20 AM

I want to buy a new complete wiring kit for my 68-camaro.
Anyone experience with installing these kits?

Do I have to buy the specific Camaro 67-68 kit or does a cheaper universal 12 or 18 Circuit kit work fine as well?

What is the difference between Painless kits and American Autowire kits?

shanekennedy · #2 10-03-2006, 06:39 AM

can't speak for painless, but i was pleased w/ american autowire. i bought the specific kit for my 68. used to be a guy on ebay who sold AA kits on the cheap side. you can also get the kit from classic industries during 1 of their 20% off sales.

**XcYZ** · #3 10-03-2006, 07:30 AM

What are you looking to do? Is the car more or less stock? I chose the American Autowire Highway 22 kit because of everything that I've changed/modified on my car. It's an extremely high quality kit.

AAW · #4 10-03-2006, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moabdude

Do I have to buy the specific Camaro 67-68 kit or does a cheaper universal 12 or 18 Circuit kit work fine as well?

The main difference in a generic 12 or 18 circuit panel such as our Power Plus 12 or 18 or a Painless Kit VS. our Classic Update Camaro Kit is how complete the kits are.

The Power Plus, or similar kits, while very high in quality, are extremely incomplete compared to the Classic Update Kits. Keep in mind that these kits were purposefully designed to be generic - as they had to work in many applications, not one, as the Classic Updates do.

The Classic Update Kits include all the light sockets, connectors, terminals, and wire circuits that you will need to hook up anything from a slightly modified stock car to an heavily modified pro-touring car. You even get new updated ignition, headlight, and dimmer switches. The extra value that all these items bring to the table is why those kits are slightly more expensive.

If you choose to use a generic kit, from any manufacturer, be prepared to cut and splice 60+ wires using your 40 year old pigtails and switch connectors - which really isn't a very good idea. All the detail items that you get in the Classic Update Kits are not available seperately and if they were would cost an additional $200 - $300.

I hope this helps answer your question and thank you for asking it.

ProdigyCustoms · #5 10-03-2006, 08:03 AM

There is nothing "painless" about a painless kit. I am finishing a painless kit for a customer that could not do it himself after trying. What a PIA.

For your Camaro, the American Autowire Classic Update is the hot set up, and you can get a deal at the GPSuperStore.com

ProTouring442 · #6 10-03-2006, 08:15 AM

I have installed two Painless generic 18 circut kits. They aren't very difficult if you understand wiring, but if you aren't good at it, I don't recomend you wiring your own car unless you use a specific model type of kit. On my car, where I have changed how 80% of the car works, it made sense to go with the generic kit.

I will say however, that the Painless kit has (or had) a defect. There is a connector made of a white semi-transparent plastic that will not take the amperage draw that the fuse panel is rated for. Fortunately, no fires. Unfortunately, it did lead to a breakdown, but we were lucky in that the break down happened in the driveway! It wasn't easy to get to that connector with the car together either. A bit of solder and heat shrink and it was all fixed, but it could have lead to dissaster. I don't know if they still use this connector in the universal kits.

In the future, I will use mostly AAW products as their customer service seems better to me.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill
'72 442 "Inamorata"

**syborg tt** · #7 10-03-2006, 08:26 AM

American Autowire would be my first choice

Speedster · #8 10-03-2006, 12:42 PM

AAW is the way to go...

Moabdude · #9 10-04-2006, 04:07 AM

thanks guys,
but I have a simple Camaro with not a lot of electronics.
I have no:
- airco
- heater/blower (took it out to make a smooth firewall)
- electric fuel pump
- electric waterpump
- power windows
- power doorlocks
- RS headlight doors
I have:
- autometer gauges
- led taillights (on order)
- xenon headligths (on order)
- 1 wire alternator

do I really need the special Camaro kit?
do you think the generic 12 circuit kit will do fine?
what Painless or AAW kit do I have to Choose?

well thanks guys!!!!

**XcYZ** · #10 10-04-2006, 08:09 AM

Maybe you should just call the American Autowire sales number and have them explain your options to you and see what would work best for you.