Grounding Kit. Why???

[AndrewG909]

So I decided to look into a grounding kit for my 04 sedan and was surprised to see them running between 75-120 bucks. I thought that wasn't too bad if they did indeed improve performance via better grounding.

Then I saw a picture of these grounding kits. Looking at these grounding kits they look like something the average person with just basic knowledge of cable making could build there own kit. So I guess my question is why are people paying over 100 bucks for these kits. Is there more to it then meets the eye??

[Slider4105]

It saves people from actually having to get a good quality wire, put some good connectors on, cut all the wires to length. They also include if I'm not mistaken a few longer bolts to throw on, and instructions on exactly how and where to route the wires. It all boils down to people are willing to pay for a little less work on them.

Basically the kits are 10 (for the 5AT) cut to length either 4 or 8 gauge wire with some good quality connectors on the ends.

One of the members here is making his own kit, just do a search and you'll find it.

[smockers83]

In terms of building it? No. If you know how to build it, go right ahead. Just lots of 99.99% pure copper and some high temp jacketing. What people are really paying for is someone else's electrical research into where the best grounding points are and how many connections/wires does so effectively? Its not just making some wires and randomly hooking them up.

[AndrewG909]

The grounding points are the only thing that I would not be sure of. Anyone willing to post the manual online so that I can use it for a guide??? .

If so then I would be willing to post instructions on how to build cable properly, so that all nico members can make their own grounding kits for less then half the price of what you'd pay in the stores.

One thing someone else mentioned to me was the reason they are so pricey is because the connectors are gold plated. But that also doesn't make sense to me. You have the entire cable made of copper then a small gold piece, which is supposed to do what, improve the impedance of the line by like .00001 ohms? Guess thats just another excuse for them to drive the prices up.

I should start making cable kits with parts and tools from work and selling them for like 20 bucks. LOL

[srv2nv]

Stillens installation guide is available online if you want something to work from in terms of basic grounding points. If you're able to make a kit yourself, then save yourself some money and do it up. I'm sure we all would if we had the knowledge, tools and time to do so.

[CYO44Baseball32]

Read my DIY on the main page:

http://forums.g35club.org/zerothread/343918

[Slider4105]

Silver is actually better than gold for less impedance.....you know if you want to go all out.

[smockers83]

The reason some people choose gold connectors over others like silver or copper is because gold is known to have better signal transfer qualities. That's why its used in applications like home theater systems and they use consumers' knowledge of that to jack up the price, so you are partially right. However, in this application, signal transfer isn't necessarily the goal so gold isn't necessary. In the kit I have, they chose to go with copper as the goal is mainly to reduce impedence.

[Sentientbydesign]

I'm the one making the kits.

The price of the wire is a lot higher than you'd imagine. One of the largest copper mines has just recently closed driving the cost up significantly.

Plus some of us have put a lot of time and energy into finding the grounding points and designing these kits.

Please don't brush that off.

[Slider4105]

BTW hows that going? It seems like you've been working on your grounding kit for quite some time now.

[Sentientbydesign]

Haven't had any time recently. I thought I'd have more because I quit my other job, but my weekends have been super busy with other stuff.

If someone wants one now, I can finish the kit tonight. It's just about 3-4 hours of labor I have been putting off.

[AndrewG909]

Silver is actually better than gold for less impedance.....you know if you want to go all out.

Yes silver is a better conductor then gold however you should be careful in designing a grounding kit using silver connectors, due to the fact that it corrodes faster than gold which is why you never see electrical components made from silver conductors unless they are used in an application where corrosion is not a problem.

Sentient by design:I apologize if I made it seem as though I was brushing off any hard work by you or anyone else who has taken the time to find the grounding points for these kits. I'd say 99% of people will continue to purchase grounding kits, but for that other 1% of us we'd prefer to do it ourselves especially now that gas prices and the economy is in the shape that it is in, spending 100+ bucks on some wires and connectors isn't too appealing.

[AndrewG909]

Read my DIY on the main page:

http://forums.g35club.org/zerothread/343918

Thanks for the DIY write up, I do really appreciate it. I'm assuming these are the same connections I would need for an 04 sedan, with maybe a couple of slight adjustments in location??

[Sentientbydesign]

Sentient by design:I apologize if I made it seem as though I was brushing off any hard work by you or anyone else who has taken the time to find the grounding points for these kits. I'd say 99% of people will continue to purchase grounding kits, but for that other 1% of us we'd prefer to do it ourselves especially now that gas prices and the economy is in the shape that it is in, spending 100+ bucks on some wires and connectors isn't too appealing.

No Problem. Just realize that we all have to keep the money moving. Holding on to it doesn't help anybody. Not even the one with the stuffed mattress.

Retail cost on the supplies is more than half the price btw. Unless you buy cheap wires and disposable terminals.

[Satter66]

Do they put grounding wires on high value 500 HP and up sports cars? Why do it at all.

[Sentientbydesign]

If you are at all familiar with DC circuitry on a vehicle, you'll know that there is a "to", but not a "from". This works fine and dandy with older cars with few sensors and electronics. The more you pack into a car, the cleaner the signals and electricity needs to be. That's where the grounding wires come into play.

I'm quite happy with the set on my car. I won't say they added as much power as a "TURBO" sticker, but they seem to make my acceleration much smoother and possibly torquier. Music sounds a little better too (could be the new CDs, who knows).

[AndrewG909]

Do they put grounding wires on high value 500 HP and up sports cars? Why do it at all.

The problem with bad grounds is you don't really know what is being affected until you fix it. So you can install a grounding kit and not see one bit of difference, or you can install one and the lights are brighter, radio is cleaner, air is colder, basically everything electrical in your car runs better. It's just hard to say. Each car is different.I'm an engineering tech, so I troubleshoot and test electronics all day long and you'd be surprised by some of the problems that can be fixed simply by installing a better ground.