Notices
Evo How To Requests / Questions / Tips If you're looking for a how-to on something, ask in here.

DIY Ground Kit for $20

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 19, 2003 | 05:38 AM
  #46  
camdog17's Avatar
Evolving Member
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 275
Likes: 0
From: Manassas, Va
WTF did u use to crimp a friggin 4 gauge cable??? I've bought everything I need to do the deal, and can't seem to find a suitable crimp tool...any suggestions????
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2003 | 06:45 AM
  #47  
TomsSound's Avatar
Evolving Member
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
I bought a tool from radioshack.... cost about 7 dollars.
Heavy duty crimper .. designed for hex crimp RG58/59/6 Coax cable.

and yes... 8 gauge would be plenty.
Wish i had put 8 gauge on my install... would have made it alot easier. And cheaper.
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2003 | 06:50 AM
  #48  
BadBoyBeltran's Avatar
Evolved Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 574
Likes: 0
From: Scottsdale AZ
I used a little hammer for the crimping. I used solder to secure the wires to the connectors.
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2003 | 06:53 AM
  #49  
BadBoyBeltran's Avatar
Evolved Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 574
Likes: 0
From: Scottsdale AZ
Originally posted by Thoe99
Can I just choose which bolts to bolt them onto, under the hood, so long as I have about 7 different grounding areas? Also, can 8 gauge wire do just as fine?
You need to ground specific locations: cylinder head, tranny, intake manifold, and chassis to the negative battery post. How can we attach images anywayz? I can show you my set-up.

STi
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2003 | 07:19 AM
  #50  
psionic98's Avatar
Evolved Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 605
Likes: 0
From: Philly, PA
as said before 4gauge is overkill, but looks hella nice compared to 8! My friend got a little creative on his pontiac, he braided 3 strands of 10gauge wire together into I think an 8gauge ring terminal and grounded his car that way... looks a little odd, but he got the wire for free.. so I couldn't argue on that!
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2003 | 08:50 AM
  #51  
Thoe99's Avatar
Evolved Member
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
iTrader: (25)
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,202
Likes: 20
From: Orlando, FL
Originally posted by BadBoyBeltran


You need to ground specific locations: cylinder head, tranny, intake manifold, and chassis to the negative battery post. How can we attach images anywayz? I can show you my set-up.

STi
Here's a pic to show you how to attach a pic. You'd have to post a reply for each pic though, since they only allow one pic at a time.
Attached Thumbnails DIY Ground Kit for -attach.jpg  
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2003 | 09:29 AM
  #52  
chinalfr's Avatar
Evolved Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 521
Likes: 1
From: New England
I use my 10lb hammer and give the 4 gauge ring terminal a hard welcome.

The result is very good.

Originally posted by camdog17
WTF did u use to crimp a friggin 4 gauge cable??? I've bought everything I need to do the deal, and can't seem to find a suitable crimp tool...any suggestions????
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2003 | 10:18 AM
  #53  
ReHeat's Avatar
Evolved Member
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 548
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, CA
I have a concern regarding the cables you buy from an audio shop to make the grounding kit. Can the plastic cover of the audio cable withstand the heat in the engine compartment and not melt? So for this, should we find grounding cable that has high heat tolerant instead of using audio cable?
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2003 | 10:31 AM
  #54  
big_clints_evo's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Denver, Co
I have silver 4 awg monster cable installed, and it has not even begun to discolor or melt. it will be just fine. If you are that concerned, wrap some electrical tape around areas that are near heat.
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2003 | 10:43 AM
  #55  
chinalfr's Avatar
Evolved Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 521
Likes: 1
From: New England
You using audio cable for grounding cable? I think most of us use cable, from audio shop, specifically made to use as power or ground cable.

These cable can tolerant heat, moisure, and abuse.

BTW, any cable will melt if you expose it to high heat area such as exhaust manifold. Just route the cable properly and avoid direct contact to heat source.

My DIY ground cable kit is as good as the manufacturer one.
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2003 | 11:02 AM
  #56  
solitaire's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
So, despite all the people who say they can feel the difference in their idle, is there some way to prove the benefits of a grounding kit (to the rest of us skeptics)? Would this show up on a dyno run (smoother curve)? Has anyone ever done a before and after dyno run for grounding kits to see if there's any change?

How about a blind a/b test? Do you think you could tell if someone removed the extra grounds?

Just curious.
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2003 | 11:20 AM
  #57  
chinalfr's Avatar
Evolved Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 521
Likes: 1
From: New England
Will anyone spend $100+ on dyno just to prove a $20 mod? Personally, I will not do that.

If I spending $600+ for an exhaust, I will not mind to spend the extra $100+ on dyno and find out how much extra HP I gained.

my $0.02
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2003 | 11:31 AM
  #58  
chinalfr's Avatar
Evolved Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 521
Likes: 1
From: New England
I spend almost more than 2 weeks on my bare stock car. My first mod is ground cable. I can felt the differences after I install the my DIY ground cable.
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2003 | 03:57 PM
  #59  
__NiTe__'s Avatar
Evolving Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, CA
BWA HA HA HA, I got 10 ft 8 gauge wire for $10. I don't know why they sold it to me for so cheap. oh wells, yay for me! They didn't have gold connectors, so now I have to drive around sommore to find some.
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2003 | 04:21 PM
  #60  
RainyEVO's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Renton WA
What are the actual physics involved in grounding kits, I don't understand how adding more grounds could possible effect how the enging responds....i'm not saying it doesn't, but does anyone know how it is accomplished???
Reply



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:13 AM.