This may be a dumb question, but what does a ground wire kit do for a car? Is it a performance option or just cosmetic, or maybe it helps out a big sound system? Any info would be cool, thanks in advance.

 

Its more than dress up, but effects turbo'd cars more. They claim to add more power, and better gas mileage by making the electrical system more efficient.

 

You'll see the most results in terms of audio quality.

 

I have noticed that there is no hesitation when I step on the gas even when the car is cold. It also feels a little more peppier and idling is better. My girlfriend even noticed the difference when she drove the car. Get the Ground Fusion Kit if you are a DIYer and you don't know where to attach all the wires-many of the kits out there don't include specific instructions or photos for Scions. This kit included good instructions and photos for an XB.

Here is the link for the discount off this forum: https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8862

Why GroundFusion believes his kit is better:

I have done over 20 different vehicles and through my testing I have found that adding a couple more direct grounds from the battery works better.

There are 2 styles of grounding kits on the market. A linked system and a circular system. The GroundFusion kit use both styles to make a clean effective kit. The GF kits have 1-3 grounds from the battery to the frame/body and then a link/circuit system that goes around the engine bay piggy-backing off the factory grounds. This helps to stablize voltage between ground points.

 

It's fairly simple. Ground wire kits aren't an audio thing, they are an ignition and sensor thing. Motors are made of many different metals and have many different surfaces mated together by various metal bolts. All ignition and almost all sensors (with the most notable exception being airbag sensors) are simple one wire connections. Which means that the negative side of the electrical circuit (ground) is made of of all these various metals and various mated surfaces.

The reason that airbag sensors have their very own ground wire is that using the motor or body as a ground is not exactly a perfect situation. Now that means all your other sensors are going to be jealous. For your ignition system and all these other sensors to function better you need to supply a more certain ground for them. Something that will make the circuit more stable. This is where the ground wire kits come in.

Don't get wrapped up in that round metal thing with all the wires snaking out of it. Thats just for looks. As long as you have a good 16 gauge or larger wire coming from around where these sensors or ignition coils are, you should be good to go. The reason why I say 16gauge or better... you'll notice that the positive cable going to these devices is generally 16gauge or smaller.

You can go larger because it looks cooler, or if you're grounding large sections of the motor instead of single devices. I ran dual 4gauge grounds, one to the starter and one to the chasis. From the chasis ground point I ran a 4gauge cable to each of the strut towers as they are rather thick steel, and they already have nice gound bolts. Off of the two strut towers I ran 8gauge cables, I have one set of 8gauge cables going to the ignition coils for each cylinder. Off the other I have various points around the motor grounded.

I also as a preference I put all the cables in black split loom tubing and wrapped them completely in electrical tape. Now they all look like factory run cables and are hardly noticeable. One thing that is noticeable is the smooth idle and instant throttle response. I did all the work myself and I think I spent about $40 total.

I'd suggest a good crimping tool (klein tools part #1005) a decent soldering torch (to solder the crimped rings onto the cables) and a fair amount of patience. Don't burn yourself, and take your time, cut your cables a little long so that when you screw up you can cut a little out and still use it. Most reasonable car audio shops will sell you the cable cheap off of their bulk spools, and they'll also give you a decent price on the ring terminals that they buy in bulk. I usually cut off the plastic covers on the terminals so that I can solder the connections after crimping and then just use heat shirnk tubing and electrical tape in its place.

 

Not to disagree ot knock what DGT said - but honestly - for me - as time is an issue - it was a better choice for me to spend the $60 or 70 on the wire kit from GF - and have it a done deal... I didn't have to deal with the hassle of getting all the parts, etc - plus - it makes a nice engine dress-up mod... So it was worth it to me... A little time for the install, and all was well... I second the recomendation for Ground Fusion's kit... The instructions aren't the greatest if your cars not stock, and with Cruise Control and a CAI - it can be a bit of a pain - but with a little bit of work and adjustment - it worked out great for me...

 

I was very skeptical about this modification and couldn’t bring myself to spend $ 70 on a set of wires. I purchased high quality 4 gauge cooper wire and made my own set for a fraction of the cost. I ran three leads off the negative terminal. One to the cylinder head near the coil packs, and one to each strut tower.

I am actually quite surprised the idle quality does seem much better, the lights do not dim when putting excessive load on the system, and the throttle response seems to be a little crisper. Am I saying faster no, but it does seem like it smoothed out some things as a whole.

I would recommend to anyone that it is a good idea to make a purchase or make his or her own set.

 

Its also talked a little here: https://www.scionlife.com/forums/vie...highlight=vtec even has the install of one.

 

groundfusion kit made exactly for your car not a universal kit
8 piece wiring kit
ive had mine since march?
smoother idle, brighter lights, rpm doesnt dip when turning on ac or other electrical equipment.

 

Some other options if people are interested in grounding kits

JDM Kit - $6.99
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWA%3AIT

TRD Kit $19.99
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...spagename=WDVW

 

making one yourself isn't that hard. just study some optimal ground points...such as...
throttle body, ecu's, engine block, and any other electronic equipment.. improve the body ground...

a kit with 7-9 points should show a noticible improvement. plus making your own is part of the fun. i've made one for my IS300, and a friend's G35. i'll probably make my own for the xb once i pick it up...

 

Just a follow up ....... scored this kit off ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...924404253&rd=1

He had them for $4.88 ..... Looks like he's up'd the price to $6.88

$4.88 / 7 - 8 gauge wires / cheaper shipping cost then most others on ebay / arrived in a week.

Installed, looks good, definitely noticable smoother in idle and stable idle when accesories (ac / defrost / lights / etc) are turned on. Throttle response seems a little sharper from a dead stop when first getting on the pedal.

Good deal IMO

 

damn if it does all that.......i need to get me a kit....... :D

 

well, i was skeptical, but after buying the wires, they have been the best mod yet, my idle went from a little over 1k to around 500-700 rpm, my audio quality went waaay up, and now that i have installed my system, 3 grand worth of equipment and just 1 capacitor, running off the scion battery, i am sure that this is the best mod i have done yet, with the grounding wires i have no light fading what-so-ever, my engine idles smoother and my low-end is stronger for the takeoff

audio system

doors 500w each nitro 6.5's
2 sets of tweeters installed in each door
nitro 12's 1000w each
2.0 farad capacitor
1200w nitro subwoofer amp
1000w 4 channel amp
---- got sponsored : ) didn't pay the 3 grand it costs for that ____ from germany, best speakers ever though, i hit 147db without the 6.5's being amped, going back to the shop in a few weeks to see what i get with the 6.5's amped,

but all and all, i think that these huge things come from that little thing of the grounding kit.