Well I wanted to chime in about my findings. I was very very skeptical about doing a grounding kit, but today I said screw it and decided to make my own since I had a fair amount of 4G and 8G at my disposal so the mod was basically free. I ran a 4g ground from neg battery terminal to the top of the engine, 8G from passenger strut to top of engine, 8g from each T/B to top of engine, and also (I strongly suggest) brushed paint down to bare metal under bolts located on both strut mounts. Took about 45 mins to complete and then came the test drive. The only reason I did this mod was because owners were claiming that the manu-shift delay had been cut down. Well the first thing I did was throw it in first and punch it in the straight line, slap to 2nd MUCH shorter almost non-existent delay (still not instant I feel but maybe Im picky) slap into 3rd and it shifted pretty much instant and very hard. Downshifts are pretty instantaneous as well. I cant say that the radio was louder and of course all grounding kit owners agree that there is not a real performance gain but the throttle does seem a tad smoother. All in all I would say this: If you got an extra $80-100 laying around and are too lazy to make the wires yourself go ahead and grab a kit. I am planning on doing the paddle shifters but didnt want to do them with as laggy as the factory manu-shift mode was but after this I think I am going to look back into getting it. In my opinion, you might as well go to the local welding supply store or car audio shop and get the wire and do it yourself. You'd probably save yourself $50 easily.

 

^ nice to hear, try to post pics if you can of the mounting points, since it seems you used more and different points than the OEM wires and the AM wires, adding more grounding points where they are needed can in fact improve TB response imo though they will offer no gain in power for sure.

 

I want to see pix!!!

 

Will post pics tomorrow...I stared at the engine bay for a little before I decided on what I thought was the best route/ground points for this.

 

Any reason why people don't just buy a few 8 gauge battery cables of different lengths and add some grounds?

 

Thats what he did more or less and saved a ton of many from not buying an AM kit.

 

Most people are still making these using stereo wire and adding connectors - they have premade cables at most auto stores. Might now be as nice looking, but easy and no fabricating.

 

YEY! Today is the day to see pix. can't wait!

 

Here's the pics as promised

FIRST PICTURE: Shows the loomed 4g coming out of the battery location, zip tied to factory harnesses and ran on top of left side of engine, also can see that I ran an 8G from the strut tower over to the top of engine


SECOND PICTURE:Closeup of top of engine and on 3 grounds coming together in that spot

 

Did you leave the stock grounding wires on as well?

 

Did you wrap the wire with black electrical tape? It looks like it, and if so, it looks ghetto. You should have spent a couple of bucks and bought some insulated ring ends.

 

On the driver side I did not upgrade/run any wires. I unbolted the existing grounds and brushed the paint off down to bare metal for a cleaner connection. There is already a 4G and 2 8G running from engine to strut tower so there is no need for an upgrade there.

 

Didnt have any 1/4 loom as I dont mess with 8G wire much and thought that the 5/8 would look hokey, but calm down there is some on the way. I am sure that all the people, ONE - myself, that will be looking at the engine bay for the next week wont really have too many negative comments about all the grounds that are concealed by the engine cover...so sorry to disappoint

 

Now that you point that out, it does look like electrical tape. lol!!! It's good practice i say. it's his 1st car.

 

Yes, sorry I am not a hack or backyard ghetto mechanic by any means. I would not allow for anything to be shown off at any meets or shows the way it sits right now but again, I did not have the loom on hand but will be wrapping it shortly, dont worry people I will repost pics when its all pretty for noone to see lol

blue - What do you mean 1st car?