It seems like my car gained 20hp!!!











JK...

So, I wasn't really expecting anything dramatic, from what I've read with grounding kits they're a waste of money, only for looks, $5 mod you can do at home depot, etc. I took it for a spin after installing it (around 10pm).

The first thing I noticed was how bright my stock HID's were. For some reason, it didn't seem that bright before the mod so I adjusted it to point up more. But tonight, I was blinding the crap out of people. I even got hi-beamed (never happened before). I need to re-adjust it tomorrow.

Second, I know this sounds stupid but it seems like it's a smoother idle as well as a smoother rev to redline. Could be my imagination or the cool summer air but that's what it seemed like to me.

Lastly, I have a ipod adapter connected to my stock HU. Before, the sound would be a little muffled and the bass from the Blose sub didn't kick that hard, now it's like night and day. Everything is more clear, highs and lows, sub before felt like a 12" now it feels more tight like a 10", I don't know if you guys know what I'm talking about.

So...I think it's a worthy mod, maybe not for over $100 but if you've got some spare change, I would try it out.

 

Thanks for a good write up. Your results are actually right on par with what I've seen on 2 of my previous cars that I put a grounding kit on. I haven't done a grounding mod on my Z yet but I probably will eventually. What I've seen consistently in the past with a CORRECTLY installed grounding kit:

1. Efficiency of the headlights improves
2. Idle improvement

You're not gaining power from putting one on. But, if installed correctly, you can improve general efficiency of the electrical systems in your car. Ever notice how dinky the stock ground wires are? Installing a high quality ground system will reduce resistance. The key is quality components and again, correct installation. Just slapping a bunch of wires onto the engine will not yield best results.

IIRC, the HKS kit is a spider type one, right? Where did you mount the main ground point? Most people ground to the battery but that makes no sense to me. Ground to the alternator. That's where your electricity is generated while you're driving I've had great results in the past but I always grounded to the alternator, along side the battery as well.

If you can take pics and post them, that would also be very helpful to others considering this. It's a feel good mod that can't hurt but if done right, can help improve electrical systems in the car.

As a side note, take a look at this article on how the headlight system works and how it's effected by inefficiencies of the wiring. I think it's relevant and will help to understand how important attention to detail is. Take a look at how voltage drop effects light output :

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/t...ys/relays.html

 

Very interesting Jason. I may have to go out and try this. BTW where did you pick up the HKS kit?

 

Great information!

 

I can get you the HKS Grounding Kits if you would like one?

 

I'll try to take pics. The instructions it came with were in Japanese so I couldn't tell exactly what it was talking about. I don't know where the "main" ground point is but I had two ground points, both at where the factory ground wires were (passenger side, and driverside-under the intake).

THe HKS one is called the "Circle Earth", yea it kinda looks like a spider, a round disc with 8 wires coming out of it. I'll try to take pics today so I can get you guys to improve it. It does work though.

 

Hey wuts up Jim, I got it from a member on here. I think retail is like $120 but I think any quality wiring kit should work, HKS is mostly for the name.

 

There were 4 points that was in the manual, the other 4 are: 1 to the battery, and 3 to somewhere on the upper plenum. Check out the pics, what other places could I put them besides the ones I already did. There are a total of 8 wires:


Under the Coolant Tank



Under the Intake Tube



To the Battery

 

That's the pretty much standard response. It's definitely worth it if you have the 5AT, but probably not with the 6MT. I definitely need to pick one up.

 

bump for some expertise

 

Thank for this info. Thinking of geting one since I just bought the Braille CF2015 battery.

Please PM price w/ s&h to 80817. Thanks!

 

Please, the grounding kit does nothing. I have seen it on numerous cars, no idle improvement, no headlight improvement, no power improvement, and most importantly, it gets in the way when you actually need to work on your car. Your HIDs are not like a standard filament. They don't get brighter with say a surge of power like a filament will. Once they are lit, they are lit.

those interested, save your cash, or better yet, if you have the money burning a hole in your pocket, send it my way, I am looking for some cash to pay for my new cams, headstuds, gauges, and headgaskets

 

I think we all have different experiences with different products, I'm just reporting on what I noticed. Last bump for some expertise.

 

angry? I've been in the middle for one of these...and this thread kinda pushed me over...I actually think ill give it a try! thanks for your feedback!

 

Are you serious?? Angry??? Why would you waste your hard earned money on a set of wires that does nothing? Heck, I have heard shops of reporting hp losses due to grounding kits -> shown on the dyno. I have seen these installed numerous times with absolutely nothing in return. 1-2 hrs fishing these stupid wires through one's engine bay - on top of spending around 100-200 bucks for the kit. Starting up the car and nothing. Oh boy, I just waiting my money and time cluttering up my engine bay. Now when I need to change plugs or or maybe install an intake or change belts, or whatever it may be, I have to work around these stupid wires.

 

Dave's the man!!! Dave why don't you guys make a kit for us like you did for the Altima's when I owned one? I bought it and it helped just like the OP said. Oh Dave.......... Tell Mike I forgot he was powdercoating mesh this week. I'm still interested in buying some for my grille.

 

I'll bet more than half of the people who have installed grounding kits, don't even know where the factory grounding wire is.

Yes, there is one. And last time I checked, I haven't had any grounding problems such as fuct stereo, fuct ECU, etc

 

Hey Wired,

Can you take a look at where I grounded my wires? Any suggestions you would make?

 

I have numerous friends that have also tried these grounding kits....Out of around 12-13 people (all different makes and models) that have installed these things, only one reported that he had some kind of improvement...I think they only work on older cars that have worn electrical components and what not

 

As long as it's ultimately connected to the metal body of the car that's about as good as you can do.