Choosing a Wiring Harness for ur-q

[Todd Phenneger]

Heya everyone,
  This is sort of a mass posting, some of you may get it twice
if your on the NW list.  Basically, I'm getting ready to get a
wiring harness for the white ur-q.  If your not familiar with
the car its a 1983 Audi ur-quattro.  It was fully stripped and
had a full cage welded in by Pete at Cascade Autosports.  As the
car now sits it is painted Alpine white, has suspension, brakes,
steering, etc.  But I need to put the dash in which also means
getting the wiring started.  I want some opinions on what to go
with.
  THere are four options that I've narrowed it down to but am
open to suggestions.  THe car will be a Rally/Race Car.  Mostly
Track Days, Hill Climbs, SCCA Rally.  However I suspect I will
drive it on the street as well just for giggles. :-) Oh, yea, it
will have a 20vt.  Because of the needs for things like multiple
lights, in car communication devices, back up lights, CB Radio /
HAM for pit crew communication at Rally's, etc, I've decided I
will need a full harness of approximately 18+ circuits and not a
Race only 9-12 circuit harness.
  The contenders are listed below.  IF you feel like browsing,
let me know what you think, have heard etc.  They are in order
of approximate Price but not necissarilly quality.  Most of them
have factory crimped terminals with labeled wire that says what
the wire goes to.  I'm leaning toward this for future
troubleshooting simplicity.  After the Episodes at the Enduro
last year with Alex's car I would like to be able to quickly and
easily identify a wire without having to look back on personal
notes, diagrams, etc.

1) American Auto Wire.   http://www.americanautowire.com/
   By far the most expensive at about  $389.  I'm looking at the
Power Plus 16 -
http://www.americanautowire.com/products/pp16.htm
This setup uses what appears to be a spring loaded clamp that
works like Chinese finger locks where the wire is inserted but
cant be pulled out without a special tool.  Intriguing for
future upgrades and supposedly grabs the wire and connects as
well as factory crimps.   (NED!!! any comments here?)

2) Painless Wiring.   http://www.painlessperformance.com/
   Probably the most familiar.  Available as a blank box with
screw terminals or pre wired with factory crimped terminals and
labeled wire.  The pre-wired 18 circuit runs about $269

3) http://www.itsasnapwireandcable.com/      This runs about
$169 for the ZZ-20 which has a SMALL fusebox using mini fuses.
Easy to fit, but not sure about durability or servicibility.
Maybe full size fuses would make more sense in a Rally car.
Setup has Labeled wire, fuse box, all the necessary stuff, just
wondering whats missing compared to the Painless setup.  They
also have a ZZ-18 that looks almost identical to the Painless
setup.

4) EZ-Wiring.  http://www.ezwiring.com/
   Poor Website, but I've heard on some off road lists that
people have been happy with it in the 4x4's.  The harness is
cheap at $169.  Still has good high quality wire and labeled
wire.  Again, similar to Painless, but cheaper.  Anything
missing or just the name???

Thanks guys.  Any opinions, experiences would be helpful.  I
like the American Auto Wire Harness but I'm wondering if its
really worth it.  Or even if possible the factory crimped
connections are better anyhow.
l8r
  Todd Phenneger


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