Installed my version of the 'grounding kit' today.

My version has every connector having TWO 4 gauge cables to it. (Due to the fact that I could only get 2x#4 size connectors!)

S

Here is a picture of the prototype.
('prototype' is the fancy term for "I forgot the fifth ground point")

Note the last 12" is black, my son pointed out the downside of having red ground cables hooked to the battery - fried computer when someone 'boosts' you with polarity reversed. Thanks Son.

S

Here is a fuzzy picture of the final product. Note the black tape at the battery connection, plus a little red for the real positive terminal!

S

Nice job! Looks cool, but the $64,000 question...does it make a difference? Inquiring minds need to know!

StealthTL '"GROUNDING KIT"

What does it do how does it work ?

I noticed that the new mazdaspeed rx8 has an Earthing kit to stabilize engine performance . does your kit do the same?

Thanks
michael

i think its just overall performance...hp gains prolly 1/2 to 2 hp??!

In other vehicles, it helps maintain a more constant system voltage and also evens out the power distribution under the hood. Helps with a smoother idle, etc.

Never mind if it works... check out the intense REDNESS, and the SHINY copper!

Maybe it is worthwhile, I think the starter motor seems a little more 'eager', but for the stereo or the ignition? Doubtful.

I only made my own because 'Zoomer only has the sets in Blue, and that was not an option....I don't think the effort of making my own was worth the trouble, if my car was blue, I would buy the factory set.

Oh, I see now, I HAVE to say it is functional by 'MR. LIGHTEMUP's new anti-rice legislation -

"The new definition in the Bose high end has to be experienced."

how's that?

S

Oh, I see now, I HAVE to say it is functional by 'MR. LIGHTEMUP's new anti-rice legislation

Nice "custom" work you did there Stealth. APPEARS to look good.
Keep us posted on how it helps.;)

nice install
I need all the red I can get

I got some swamp land for ya if you really think those grounding wires are going to give you any 'erpformance'... I don't care what a multimeter says... The stock grounding is more than adaquite, and your not going to gain shvt for performance or HP... any .5->2hp variances are simply going to be dyno variations, ambient temp, engine temp, heat soak, etc... not because of some grounding wires..

But, as long as your getting the wires, you might as well add a Tornado too.. its about as useful.

I'd have to agree that there's not much to be gained for a NEW vehicle. On one that's 10 years old, however, a grounding kit can fix all kinds of problems (thinking 2nd gen RX-7 here). :)

It does not do a darn thing, however it was a beautiful install.

Kind regards,
Doug

It was already covered in other threads wether or not it did anything and some people see smoother idling and less dips in idle RPM when turning on accesories.

Stating flat out it does nothing is not correct. It might not give any performance benefits, but nobody is saying it will. I made my own as well and also noticed idle RPM's smoothed out, especially when the AC is on.

See, I kept an open mind about it.

^-- ahh..yes, you see..you have an effect common known as "Empty Wallet Effect"... I've seen may others with the same simptoms.. Others like to refer to perfoamnce gains with terms like "Butt Dyno", etc. for un-proven gains.

I know I myself have suffered such symptoms... But if you have a smile on your face, who really cares if no harms done, right??

It must be wonderful to know so much. I on the other hand dont know everything and am willing to try out stuff and see what happens.

It's amazing to me that you can actually see my idle not dip as I turn on the AC anymore. I'll have to learn teleportation from ya sometime. (I never claimed performance gains, I claim smoother idle ONLY).

And what empty wallet? It cost me all of 7 bucks to make my set. I guess your (almost) all knowing and broke?

Earth Grounding kits have been dyno proven to increase horsepower on new cars. You can find articles in numerous sportscar magazines where they have been tested. I was skeptical also, that is why I dyno tested mine along with 8 other 350Z's.

I have sold several kits to forum members and got to drive the first set I made for a RX8. The 350Z, G35, and most other piston powered owners can feel the results right away. Our cars tend to idle a lot rougher than your Rotary engines. So we noticed a smoother idle and smoother revs at high RPM's.

I have not seen anyone dyno a RX8 to see how much of a horsepower increase you will get.

In terms of horsepower versus cost its probably hard to beat. You can spend hundreds or over a thousand on a RX8 to get a 2% increase in horsepower. Aftermarket stainless or titanium exhausts look cool and may even sound better than the stock one but you won't pick up much more horsepower with that one mod.

Horsepower increases typically result from an incremental combination of aftermarket goodies.

You should consider a grounding kit as just one more piece of the puzzle, whether you buy one or have fun making your own.

If you decide to make your own I do recommend you buy 100% OFC (Oxygen Free Copper) 4 gauge wire and gold plated terminals. The terminals look better and work better than copper ones.

I don't sell the wire so this is not an advertisement, but you can find major brands at any high end car stereo store or on EBAY.

Hello,
I, being a serious dumbass posted this in two other places on the forum. So I figured, WTF, I'll go ahead and post it here, too. I took some measurements before and after instaling my kit, and the results are here:
http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17009
I think...
:D -Doc

Nice work doc.

I don't know how much if any horsepower is gained (I do know people who have claimed to measure a consistent small increase, and I have no reason to doubt them) but the FD is the post child for poor factory grounds. With all the sensors the computers use now, if the ground is inconsistent there are bound to be problems.

jds