Grounding Question - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

Project D · 06-30-2005, 02:29 PM

OK, I have searched and still can't find a question for this one. I have a grounding kit that I was given that has 8 gauge wiring. I have seen many cars with 4 gauge wiring, but is that really necessary? I figured that 8 gauge should be more than enough for the job. Any thoughts are appreciated.

Yoshi · 06-30-2005, 04:24 PM

if all your stock grounding straps are fine, chances are that regardless of ga, it won't make a damn bit of difference.

"hyper-grounds" and the like, are like changing your plug wires or fuel filter... you're not really gaining power, so much as replacing what you might have lost from age and wear/tear. Not to say that you won't get a small gain... it makes things generally more electrically efficient, and that's ALWAYS a good thing.

To answer your question 8ga is just fine.
Is your car having grounding issues already? Maybe you'll see a big improvement, but otherwise I'd look at it as a backup system for your old stock grounding straps... I've also heard people say that the hypergrounds help people with larger stereo setups who get line noise.

Project D · 06-30-2005, 05:24 PM

Actually, I am looking at doing "the swap" so I figured that doing a hyper ground while everything was out would be a good thing, especially for the money. I'm looking for a little more efficient system and it was recommended by my friend with his supra. He said, no real gain HP wise, but brighter lights, stereo is a little louder, and it ran a little smoother. If I can accomplish those things, then I have achieved my goal as far as grounding is concerned.

projectRDM · 06-30-2005, 06:33 PM

Difference in Nissan and Toyota wiring also. Although our cars generally have a lot of excess ground points the ones they use are good. I've never seen much difference with upgraded wiring anywhere on a 240 unless you're shortening it all several inches, reducing resistance.

caall99 · 06-30-2005, 07:05 PM

or larger guage = reducing resistance

*Jonnie Fraz* · 06-30-2005, 07:12 PM

Simple to figure out if you need to upgrade your ground system. Using a multi-meter check the continuity between your battery ground and your motor. Do this with the ground cable off the battery. Mine was like .02 ohms or somthing minimal. IMO hyper grounding is hocus pocus, like cold air intakes.

Project D · 06-30-2005, 10:46 PM

I am not sure if it is a need. It is a cheap way to upgrade electrical and since the engine is out and ready to be put in, figured it would be a good part (especially for free) to throw on. It couldn't hurt.

nismo101 · 07-01-2005, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonnie Fraz

IMO hyper grounding is hocus pocus, like cold air intakes.

Cold air intakes hocus-pocus? Hey man, I have dyno tested many cars before and after an intake in a controlled situation. Power is gained in almost all cases. Whats hocus pocus about that?

You think turbos are hocus pocus too?
(just teasin)

Replicant_S14 · 07-01-2005, 12:52 PM

Whatever.
4AWG = .0003 Ohms/ft (@150F)
8AWG = .0007

Either way, what Russ is getting at (I think) is that some of the o.e. grounds are absurdly long.

24Zero · 07-01-2005, 01:03 PM

I put the Stillen grounding kit on my Z. There was minimal difference in power, but it added some eye under the hood!

Project D · 07-01-2005, 01:20 PM

^^^^This is what I am figuring:

My car is 16 years old
The grounds could prob. be better
it was free
if nothing else, it will look cool

All in all, I am sure it will be a fun install and it may help, who knows.

RBS14 · 07-01-2005, 02:23 PM

haha the last thing a Z needs is more shit under the hood. I dunno about you guys, but I like as few wires as possible under my hood.

However, if you got the kit for free, and you're going to be doing a swap anyways, it's a no-brainer.

projectRDM · 07-01-2005, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Replicant_S14

Whatever.
4AWG = .0003 Ohms/ft (@150F)
8AWG = .0007

Either way, what Russ is getting at (I think) is that some of the o.e. grounds are absurdly long.

Exactly. Just cutting the extra 18 inches out of the battery's ground cable is a start, that will do the same as any ground cable setup ever will. And you can use the leftover wire to ground the alternator or make a better one for the block.

Project D · 07-01-2005, 04:47 PM

^^^ That's a helpful tip for all of you guys that didn't have a kit. Keep the suggestions coming.

06-30-2005, 02:29 PM	#1
Project D Zilvia Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Grand Junction, CO Age: 40 Posts: 179 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Grounding Question OK, I have searched and still can't find a question for this one. I have a grounding kit that I was given that has 8 gauge wiring. I have seen many cars with 4 gauge wiring, but is that really necessary? I figured that 8 gauge should be more than enough for the job. Any thoughts are appreciated.

06-30-2005, 04:24 PM	#2
Yoshi Post Whore! Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Washington Age: 48 Posts: 3,003 Trader Rating: (1) Rides Gallery: Yoshi Feedback Score: 1 reviews	if all your stock grounding straps are fine, chances are that regardless of ga, it won't make a damn bit of difference. "hyper-grounds" and the like, are like changing your plug wires or fuel filter... you're not really gaining power, so much as replacing what you might have lost from age and wear/tear. Not to say that you won't get a small gain... it makes things generally more electrically efficient, and that's ALWAYS a good thing. To answer your question 8ga is just fine. Is your car having grounding issues already? Maybe you'll see a big improvement, but otherwise I'd look at it as a backup system for your old stock grounding straps... I've also heard people say that the hypergrounds help people with larger stereo setups who get line noise. __________________ www.360realms.com/S13-S15

06-30-2005, 06:33 PM	#4
projectRDM Post Whore! Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Atlanta Age: 51 Posts: 13,812 Trader Rating: (12) Feedback Score: 12 reviews	Difference in Nissan and Toyota wiring also. Although our cars generally have a lot of excess ground points the ones they use are good. I've never seen much difference with upgraded wiring anywhere on a 240 unless you're shortening it all several inches, reducing resistance. __________________ FORMERLY R240NA Learn what's really going on and protect your assets now before they're gone forever: www.paypalsucks.com

06-30-2005, 07:05 PM	#5
caall99 Zilvia Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Wellesley, MA Age: 40 Posts: 267 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	or larger guage = reducing resistance __________________ Signature over limits http://www.zilvia.net/f/showthread.php?t=21036

06-30-2005, 07:12 PM	#6
Jonnie Fraz Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cali Age: 56 Posts: 1,371 Trader Rating: (29) Rides Gallery: Jonnie Fraz Feedback Score: 29 reviews	Simple to figure out if you need to upgrade your ground system. Using a multi-meter check the continuity between your battery ground and your motor. Do this with the ground cable off the battery. Mine was like .02 ohms or somthing minimal. IMO hyper grounding is hocus pocus, like cold air intakes. __________________ Stealth-Custom-Fab.com

06-30-2005, 05:24 PM	#3
Project D Zilvia Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Grand Junction, CO Age: 40 Posts: 179 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Actually, I am looking at doing "the swap" so I figured that doing a hyper ground while everything was out would be a good thing, especially for the money. I'm looking for a little more efficient system and it was recommended by my friend with his supra. He said, no real gain HP wise, but brighter lights, stereo is a little louder, and it ran a little smoother. If I can accomplish those things, then I have achieved my goal as far as grounding is concerned.

06-30-2005, 10:46 PM	#7
Project D Zilvia Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Grand Junction, CO Age: 40 Posts: 179 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I am not sure if it is a need. It is a cheap way to upgrade electrical and since the engine is out and ready to be put in, figured it would be a good part (especially for free) to throw on. It couldn't hurt.

07-01-2005, 12:52 PM	#9
Replicant_S14 Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Cabbagetown Posts: 467 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Whatever. 4AWG = .0003 Ohms/ft (@150F) 8AWG = .0007 Either way, what Russ is getting at (I think) is that some of the o.e. grounds are absurdly long. __________________ Rules of Boozing #10: Do not make eye contact with the bartender if you do not want a drink.

07-01-2005, 01:03 PM	#10
24Zero Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Alabama Age: 56 Posts: 335 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: 24Zero Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I put the Stillen grounding kit on my Z. There was minimal difference in power, but it added some eye under the hood! __________________ Jamie My Site www.24zero.com 30D \| 17-40L \| 27-70L \| 70-200L Some of my work

07-01-2005, 01:20 PM	#11
Project D Zilvia Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Grand Junction, CO Age: 40 Posts: 179 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	^^^^This is what I am figuring: My car is 16 years old The grounds could prob. be better it was free if nothing else, it will look cool All in all, I am sure it will be a fun install and it may help, who knows.

07-01-2005, 02:23 PM	#12
RBS14 Nissanaholic! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Santa Cruz/San Diego Posts: 2,271 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	haha the last thing a Z needs is more shit under the hood. I dunno about you guys, but I like as few wires as possible under my hood. However, if you got the kit for free, and you're going to be doing a swap anyways, it's a no-brainer. __________________

07-01-2005, 04:47 PM	#14
Project D Zilvia Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Grand Junction, CO Age: 40 Posts: 179 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	^^^ That's a helpful tip for all of you guys that didn't have a kit. Keep the suggestions coming.