Do I need a grounding kit?

For your Ford Focus related discussion
Sucka612
VeeDub in Da House
Posts: 2065
Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2005 4:02 pm
Location: Minneapolis, MN

So I've been noticing this small problem for a couple of months now. Sometimes while stopped or in idle, my rpm's will do a sudden dip and the car stutters like it's going to die. Regular driving is fine and this only happens sometimes, but lately more often. People say it heat bog from the SRI but I think thats a bunch of bull. So I'm thinking maybe a grounding kit might help. They all pretty much seem the same, regardless of price. But I don't really know anything about ground points or how to install/care for grounding kits. Opinions?
Image
User avatar
sc0tty8
Posts: 1816
Joined: Fri Aug 19, 2005 10:21 am
Location: Litchfield MN

You can make one yourself with some bulk wire and crimp ons.... I think it takes 8 rings and the wire you want to do the big 3 upgrade. Check it out on FJ for more info. Its on my spring list, replace factory grounds with 4ga wire.

I am not sure what them "JDM" ground kits have....
o2designs
Making skinny jeans look baggy since 2009
Posts: 8253
Joined: Sun Feb 13, 2005 3:27 pm
Car: Bone Stock Focuseses
Location: Rochester

I'm planning on doing the same thing. But dreading the cost of doing it. You would'nt think the wire would'nt cost so much.
Pants too tight, wheels so bright!
User avatar
sc0tty8
Posts: 1816
Joined: Fri Aug 19, 2005 10:21 am
Location: Litchfield MN

o2designs wrote: I'm planning on doing the same thing. But dreading the cost of doing it. You would'nt think the wire would'nt cost so much.


Maybe you guys can get a few others together and buy a spool of 4ga off ebay...I got a bag of 20 ga crimp ons for like 5$ with shipping off ebay, and, a bag of 25 1/0 for 6.50 shipped. Can't beat that with a stick.

I know I will have a few 4ga rings left.....
spots25
Posts: 761
Joined: Tue Aug 09, 2005 12:24 pm
Contact:

grounding kits really don't do anything. All the factory electrical systems do a good enough job of flowing power/ground to everything the way it is. However, if you have an amp, it is very good to run 4 ga. from:

1. Alt + to Bat +
2. Bat - to Chassis -
3. Chassis - to Engine block -

Its called the magic 3 for a reason 8)
00' Kona
User avatar
sc0tty8
Posts: 1816
Joined: Fri Aug 19, 2005 10:21 am
Location: Litchfield MN

spots25 wrote: grounding kits really don't do anything. All the factory electrical systems do a good enough job of flowing power/ground to everything the way it is. However, if you have an amp, it is very good to run 4 ga. from:

1. Alt + to Bat +
2. Bat - to Chassis -
3. Chassis - to Engine block -

Its called the magic 3 for a reason 8)


Exactly correct.

It takes about 6-8ft of wire to do, you can loom it if you want, so it looks like factory wiring.
o2designs
Making skinny jeans look baggy since 2009
Posts: 8253
Joined: Sun Feb 13, 2005 3:27 pm
Car: Bone Stock Focuseses
Location: Rochester

spots25 wrote: grounding kits really don't do anything. All the factory electrical systems do a good enough job of flowing power/ground to everything the way it is. However, if you have an amp, it is very good to run 4 ga. from:

1. Alt + to Bat +
2. Bat - to Chassis -
3. Chassis - to Engine block -

Its called the magic 3 for a reason 8)


Thanks Alan, thats what I meant. I'm planning on doing the "Magic 3".
Pants too tight, wheels so bright!
mars
Posts: 1308
Joined: Fri May 20, 2005 1:42 pm
Location: STP

i'm thinkin about doing it.... my stock stereo system sometimes dimes out the lights in the gauges...
2004 EAP Comp. Orange Focus SVT - LOUD AZZ SVT exhaust!!!!
Image
146.64whp/129.47tq
spots25
Posts: 761
Joined: Tue Aug 09, 2005 12:24 pm
Contact:

o2designs wrote:
spots25 wrote:grounding kits really don't do anything. All the factory electrical systems do a good enough job of flowing power/ground to everything the way it is. However, if you have an amp, it is very good to run 4 ga. from:

1. Alt + to Bat +
2. Bat - to Chassis -
3. Chassis - to Engine block -

Its called the magic 3 for a reason 8)


Thanks Alan, thats what I meant. I'm planning on doing the "Magic 3".


no problem. On a related note, i find it hilarious. 3g on a supercharger is okay, but $15 of wiring... lol
00' Kona
Louis Zerr
and so it lives.
Posts: 1383
Joined: Tue Aug 12, 2003 9:24 am
Location: Mayer, MN

I thought the magic 3 were a shocker followed by a jersey turnpike with a hot carl finish?
Slower than your stock focus.
focinite
Master of Phonemic orthography
Posts: 3718
Joined: Sat Jul 02, 2005 8:32 pm
Car: black cvp vroom vroom
Location: anoka mn

actaully, its a canadan fake out comboed int a angy pirate followed with a big drip!!! :P.. ive noticed the bog,dim also. now that i have like 80,000 on the ticker it seems a tad worse, i think the alt spikes a bit and a voltage stabilizer would probly fix er up nicely
Image wink wink.....bitches
User avatar
sc0tty8
Posts: 1816
Joined: Fri Aug 19, 2005 10:21 am
Location: Litchfield MN

My car did it with no extra draw on the electrical system. Over on the jet, some folks have gone thru multiple alternators and have burned out the alt wires :shock:
Pappy
have you seen my boxers?
Posts: 4072
Joined: Tue Jun 21, 2005 12:11 pm
Car: 09 Mustang GT, 14 Focus
Location: WI

My car does it to. I personally don't think the power draw is a grounding issue. I think you just need a better battery to put up with the extra power needed for your system. I'm gonna get an optima, it should fix any electrical issues.
Nils
Prestige WorldWide The First Word In Entertainment

______________Boats and Ho's!_____________
Sucka612
VeeDub in Da House
Posts: 2065
Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2005 4:02 pm
Location: Minneapolis, MN

I don't have a system... or anything that would suck power besides air conditioning or heating, which I only put on 1 or 2.
Image
focinite
Master of Phonemic orthography
Posts: 3718
Joined: Sat Jul 02, 2005 8:32 pm
Car: black cvp vroom vroom
Location: anoka mn

the ultima helps a little but i still think its regulation not grounding, the charging system spikes for some reasone then does the boing thing till it stabalizes,, im thinkin of getting a in line stABALIZER (stupid caps lock) when i upgrade the power and grounds, i also have a bad ground for the system so when the blower fan is on and the foot is trhough the floor i get this whine, ive traced it too tyhe amp ground but i have too pull the seats and carpet out once more , im gonna try to mount some a/v crap and the ps2 in the focmaster of doom and then its sell time. :cry:
Image wink wink.....bitches
Post Reply