Socket7

I'd eat my hat if it was anything other then a problem with the LOC with the information you've given us.

Another thing to do would be to test the amp and sub combo from an external source like an iPod. Take a headphone jack to RCA cable, plug your music player in one end, the amp to the other, then crank the volume up, then slowly bring up the gain and see how hard it will thump without distorting or cutting out.

I think david navone sells some quality LOC's that people here have used with good results. I'm not to familiar with them though. I'm currently using a JL cleansweep and audiocontrol DQS to get the levels right from the head unit before going into the amp. It would be quite a bit of overkill for a setup like yours. Hell, it might even be overkill for my setup.

LittleZ360

Also... I don't know if this would effect anything, but I've had the LOC grounded at the same spot as the AMP... I'm gonna ground it somwhere else before I try running my ground to the batt. Remember I'm just doing this to help with the "trial" part of the process.
I'm gonna try to rule out as many things as I can like you said...
Keep in mind guys, I work 2 jobs and it's freezing out. I apologize if this project seems really drawn out. If I drove this car daily, it'd be done by now or I woulda pulled the whole thing out and said screw it. But since it's hibernating for the winter, I'm not gonna beat myself up to come to a fast conclusion.
That said, I still probably would have given up a long time ago if it weren't for your guys' support.

I really like the Ipod Idea, if only I can find my Headphone-Rca adapter... That would rule out the LOC portion, yeah? Stock stereo only works good, and if the amp/sub run good w/ext. source it must be the LOC right? We shall see Thanks

LittleZ360

Still haven't tried using the external source. However, when I got home from work today, I ran a ground from the amp to the battery real quick. I have like a 30ft length of 8 gauge that I used, I coulda made it a little shorter, but I just wanted a quick test and just ran it around the outside of my car. Still made sure the connections were solid.
Results... Problem still exists, although seems as though it helped a bit with the dimming of my interior lights, I really only notice it on my door lights. I haven't tried turning the other lights on but I'm sure they dim to the music too.

So... Hm.. I think I may order one of those LOCs from David Navone.

Also I'm going to upgrade my grounding system. Same thing as the "Big 3" right? Just hits more ground points than just the 3? I was thinking I'd do it myself with my own materials going by the DIY thread. I feel confident in tackling this upgrade.
Except I thought with the big 3, you upgrade the positive post of the alternator to the battery, as well as the alernators (block) chassis ground, and battery's chassis ground... that doesn't seem to be the case in the grounding kits or in the DIY thread. Maybe that's the difference between the "Big 3" and a "Grounding Kit" Anybody know?

Anyways, I figure with a LOC that's been a success to others, an improved current flow, I figure I have to break this wall of mine.

For now, I'm going consider amp ground to battery unnecessary seeing how I got very little if any improvements.

I know there's a lot of mixed opinions about the grounding kit upgrade, but years ago my dad upgraded the "Big 3" in my mx-6 and I got a world of difference. Even before my system I noticed a lot of improvements from idle, throttle response, starting, headlights a lot better (mx6's have crappy headlights) to all sorts of things. So I'm a believer in this upgrade.
In the 8, if anything, I hope to atleast get a little smoother of an Idle. Mine sometimes kinda "flutters" in the rpms, and can kinda hear a slight "puff" come from the exhaust at idle. It's really not noticable unless you've put 2 n 2 together enough times driving.

*I heard/read some Rx8s actually have terrible factory grounds... So I'm kinda set on the plan.

I'm going to order the LOC and some High-end terminals for the grounding set up when I get my tax return, cause I know I'm gonna want to order more stuff for the hell of it.
I figure that isn't going to show up in my account for probably another week or so.

So should I just continue on to this thread when all that goes down, or should I start a new thread?? This thread can use a new "Title" as is... LOL, I think I'm way past what size wire I should use to run to my battery. HEHE
But I figure you guys might atleast want an update when I get to that point.
Thanks again fellas

Socket7

Some of them do have terrible grounds, and dimming lights can be a sign of one.

There are a few grounding kits people have used here. check them out and get the one you like best.
I've got a few photos of my own up here, http://sites.google.com/site/rensaud...rading-grounds , but unfortunately, i forget who makes it. I think it's a vendor here. It was a bit on the pricey side, but i think it's worth it.

Keep posting about your install here. No need for a new thread. Threads like this can help other people with their own install if they encounter the same problems, so it should be all kept in one place, even if the nature of the problem changes with new evidence

LittleZ360

Yeah, after going through maybe 5 or 6 different grounding kits, I've decided I might as well do it myself with DIY thread. It doesn't seem difficult and I already have most of the supplies. I'm itchin to get this LOC, it appears to only be like $20? Is that right? The LOC i'm using right now was around $50 if I remember correctly, I'm gonna kick myself if this is the answer to my problem. Which it probably is...

Thanks for everything Socket7, I'll keep the thread updated.

LittleZ360

Hello again. It took a while for me to get some time back on the computer and let ya guys know where I'm at with this. I followed the DIY grounding thread, and WOW. Huge difference in a lot of areas of the car...
-Starting the car was almost instant when I turned the key
-Headlights are brighter without a doubt
-Throttle response seems a little more crisp, but that could be the "placebo" deal again.
-The music barely effects the interior lights now, you'd only really notice it if you were lookin for it.
-AND the BEST part....
My stereo no longer cuts out with the subs up! I even turned the gains up much higher than I would normally be comfortable with, and not a single hiccup!
I never ordered the LOC from DN, for now I'm okay with this one. Eventually I can see myself upgrading the entire sound system, but that's not going to be for a long time. If I have problems with this LOC in the future, then maybe I'll go back to ordering from DN.
So that's that people!
My only conclusion really, is my car must have came out of the oven with a lousy ground.
Thanks a bunch to those who helped me sort this problem out.

LittleZ360

I'll add some pictures of everything I installed (related)...
as soon as I figure out how to post pics, I already took pics of the grounding project.
Still gotta finish tucking everything in inside the trunk and will take pictures of that as well.