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grounding install, disappointed...

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Old 09-18-2005, 03:36 PM
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Default grounding install, disappointed...

hey ya. i ordered some 8 gauge power wire from knukonceptz.com, allong with some gold ring terminals.
i grounded the following, in order:
right fender->battery ground->bolt right next to spark plug->left side of motor bolt-> alternator bolt on top.

i didn't get to grounding the left fender. my grounding setup is one continuous chain, not one that runs wires to each ground point and back to the battery negative.

i don't notice any difference in throttle response at all.

what went wrong? i'm thinking it's because i used 8 ga wire and it's a continuous chain. i'd shell out the cash for a ready made kit if it actually improved the throttle response.

let me know your thoughts
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Old 09-18-2005, 03:42 PM
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Are you kidding? How is grounding it going to improve throttle response?
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Old 09-18-2005, 03:44 PM
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Gives everything a bigger charge....I have the Sun Industries Hyperground system and I saw a nice increase in gas mileage which is what it was intended for for me

The thing you need to do is try different spots and test it
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Old 09-18-2005, 03:46 PM
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since our cars are throttle controlled by computer, it gives the computer a better signal, thus making it operate more efficeietly
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Old 09-18-2005, 03:46 PM
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I used 6 gage with 4 different wires. Grounded to same points you did. I noticed a definite response. I've heard it's good to use 4 guage. I think your gauge is too small. Just my guess.
-Mike Moon.
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Old 09-18-2005, 03:49 PM
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If it was that easy, they would have done it from the factory and advertised better gas mileage. Grounding wire is a "show" ricer mod, nothing more.
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Old 09-18-2005, 03:49 PM
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Originally Posted by mikemoon
I used 6 gage with 4 different wires. Grounded to same points you did. I noticed a definite response. I've heard it's good to use 4 guage. I think your gauge is too small. Just my guess.
-Mike Moon.
thats what i thought. maybe i could use my remaining 8 ga and double up. i'll see if that does anything
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Old 09-18-2005, 03:50 PM
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Originally Posted by turbo2liter
If it was that easy, they would have done it from the factory and advertised better gas mileage. Grounding wire is a "show" ricer mod, nothing more.
strut bars improve a cars handling...why wouldn't they add that at the factory?
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Old 09-18-2005, 03:52 PM
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Your car is going to inject the same amount of fuel no matter if you've got a spark plug in the cylinder or not. Saying it "increases" gas mileage is idiotic.

It may, and when I say may, I mean a LONNNGGG shot.. MAY increase throttle response. If the ground's coming from the engine were so inefficient that upgrading to larger ones gave a noticeable response, the voltage moving off the plugs would probably weld the OEM straps to whatever they were touching.
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Old 09-18-2005, 04:00 PM
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Originally Posted by turbo2liter
Your car is going to inject the same amount of fuel no matter if you've got a spark plug in the cylinder or not. Saying it "increases" gas mileage is idiotic.

It may, and when I say may, I mean a LONNNGGG shot.. MAY increase throttle response. If the ground's coming from the engine were so inefficient that upgrading to larger ones gave a noticeable response, the voltage moving off the plugs would probably weld the OEM straps to whatever they were touching.
Don't forget the fact that we have a motorized TB plate. More efficient power means more responsive motor which also means better TB, even if the engine performs the same, the TB plate opening faster would play a huge role. This is all in theory of course and I tried with some ground wires in a few different spots and noticed no change, besides the engine bay looking a little too busy for my taste. Needless to say, I'm running OEM ground (but I may upgrade JUST the ground wire to a better one).
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Old 09-18-2005, 04:35 PM
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I also installed a grounding setup with no improvement. I keep accurate gas mileage records, and saw no change. I think it is a more mental thing. Or wishful thinking.
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Old 09-18-2005, 05:26 PM
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And again I ask, if the ground is so important, why aren't you adding another few pounds for all the positive wires?

This crap about charge being greater is amazing. I saw a couple of millivolts difference in the other thread about this. Let's do some math:

.002v/14.400v x 100% = 0.014% difference.

Do you honestly believe your ignition is misfiring so badly that a 0.014% difference in voltage is going to improve your mileage? That's the only way your mileage is going to change. 20 years ago, overall probability of ignition for a really good ignition system was 88% according to Jacobs Engineering (and they were trying to sell ignition boxes). It is now well into the high 90's, because the engines won't pass smog unless they can hit well into the 90's.

Your ECM also detects misfires and will set a code and illuminate the CEL if there are too many in a given time period. This is fundamental to ALL OBDII controlled engines.

If you want to make a difference, just remove the bolts currently holding your ground straps and put antiseize compound on the threads. The biggest resistance point is NOT the wire, it is the interface between the terminal lug and the engine/chassis. Antiseize ensures a GREAT electrical connection.
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Old 09-18-2005, 05:37 PM
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Originally Posted by lo_bux_racer
And again I ask, if the ground is so important, why aren't you adding another few pounds for all the positive wires?

This crap about charge being greater is amazing. I saw a couple of millivolts difference in the other thread about this. Let's do some math:

.002v/14.400v x 100% = 0.014% difference.

Do you honestly believe your ignition is misfiring so badly that a 0.014% difference in voltage is going to improve your mileage? That's the only way your mileage is going to change. 20 years ago, overall probability of ignition for a really good ignition system was 88% according to Jacobs Engineering (and they were trying to sell ignition boxes). It is now well into the high 90's, because the engines won't pass smog unless they can hit well into the 90's.

Your ECM also detects misfires and will set a code and illuminate the CEL if there are too many in a given time period. This is fundamental to ALL OBDII controlled engines.

If you want to make a difference, just remove the bolts currently holding your ground straps and put antiseize compound on the threads. The biggest resistance point is NOT the wire, it is the interface between the terminal lug and the engine/chassis. Antiseize ensures a GREAT electrical connection.

Thank you Lance, I was just about to take this idiocy over to yoursciontc and see if I could hear the collective laughter about it from my house...
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Old 09-18-2005, 06:32 PM
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LOL!!!!!!!!!!!
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Old 09-18-2005, 08:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Joe@Dezod
Originally Posted by turbo2liter
Your car is going to inject the same amount of fuel no matter if you've got a spark plug in the cylinder or not. Saying it "increases" gas mileage is idiotic.

It may, and when I say may, I mean a LONNNGGG shot.. MAY increase throttle response. If the ground's coming from the engine were so inefficient that upgrading to larger ones gave a noticeable response, the voltage moving off the plugs would probably weld the OEM straps to whatever they were touching.
Don't forget the fact that we have a motorized TB plate. More efficient power means more responsive motor which also means better TB, even if the engine performs the same, the TB plate opening faster would play a huge role. This is all in theory of course and I tried with some ground wires in a few different spots and noticed no change, besides the engine bay looking a little too busy for my taste. Needless to say, I'm running OEM ground (but I may upgrade JUST the ground wire to a better one).
Not to be a ***** or anything, but the ground for the throttlebody goes to the ECM, not the engine, so changing the ground wire on the engine will not change the operation of the throttlebody at all. There seems to be a lot of placebo effect going on here.
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Old 09-18-2005, 08:19 PM
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Originally Posted by lo_bux_racer
There seems to be a lot of placebo effect going on here.
It's funny how $ will make people sell stuff like this when obviously there's no gain.
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Old 09-18-2005, 08:59 PM
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I think it's funnier that people pay good money for this crap. All these self-proclaimed "experts" who swear by ground wires and other such tomfoolery would know better if they actually had any concept of electricity and how modern cars work. 5 minutes with a volt meter (and an understanding of basic electricity) could prove to anyone competent, if it was better or not. I tried it and there was no appreciable loss whatsoever anywhere in the ENTIRE grounding system. If you are running a multi-1000 watt audio system, it is a simple matter to run a ground wire along with a power wire directly to the battery. As for the car itself, Toyota did a fine job on the electrical system and Bubbas backyard racing engineering won't help. I really did like the suggestion that possibly the 8-ga. wire was too small and 4-ga. would be much better! Take a look around your car and see if you can find any 8-ga. wire in the factory harness other than the battery cables. What component in your car could possibly draw enough current to cause a voltage drop in 8-ga. wire? Junk science disguised as clever marketing creates many naieve "experts" Do your learnin' in school, not a $3 magazine. If they were really that informative you could probably show your subscription and receive college credit.
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Old 09-19-2005, 08:31 PM
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I installed some ebay grounding wires in my tc and i noticed a definete gain in like 50 whp to the rear wheels.
















Actually I only noticed the bass in my car (1000watt amp going to two 700 watt subs) was a bit cleaner with less noice (especially since I have the stock head unit and im using a lo-hi converter from the rear speakers.
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Old 09-19-2005, 08:36 PM
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^^^ Perfect example of the ONLY use for grounding wires (other than making yourself look like an ___ LOL)
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Old 09-19-2005, 08:38 PM
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Ok everyone... coming from an electronics guy (me) this will NOT give you any noticeable gain in any shape or form.. and if it does... you are most likely using the wallet dyno as your measure. It does technically give some improvement.. but not enough to come close to noticing. You can ground and ground and not notice a thing. I can go into the electronic and automotive theory behind it and show exactly what advantage it has.. but it is pointless. In the long run you are just cluttering up your engine bay with that extra wire. For a sound system it may help a bit.. but that is it.

Most every automotive control system is designed to operate perfectly with around 50mV on a ground. Typically this value is MUCH less unless the vehicle is old and the ground connections have deteriorated. If you add a ground kit and see measurable and noticeable gains you most likely had a bad ground to start with.
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