So, my one-and-only LM-3S install to-date has been in an Athearn "DCC Ready" GP40X.
Not knowing any better (or otherwise) I simply plugged the LM-3S module into Athearn's factory board. However, to be able to get the loco shell back on, I had to make the module sit down as close as possible to Athearn PCB board. There is an 8-pin female connector block soldered to the factory board making this difficult. I had to push the LM-3S module forward to get in front of this connector to get it to sit down and at the same time I really had to bend/fold the 9-pin connector wires over on themselves to make everything fit and still it was a tight fit.
My question: what is everyone's preference here, especially for "tight" loco installs. Do you,
A) simply use the OEM factory board and squish everything to fit?
or
B) remove the factory board and hardwire everything using your own 9-pin connector?
Just trying to get a sense of "best practices"!