gesTTalt

After doing some research on grounding kits and their benefits, especially on modded cars, I've gone and made my own. You can get these kits for about $100, but why spend that much when you can make your own!

Supplies:
13 ft 8 gauge wires
7 pairs of gold crimp loop connectors
wire cutter, crimper, ratchet, etc.

There are three mandatory grounding points, neg terminal, tranny and a "central" ground, the others were strong suggestion.

Here's how I did mine:
neg term -> valve cover
valve cover -> passenger fender
coil pack ground -> valve cover
throttle body -> valve cover
throttle body -> tranny
tranny -> neg term
neg term -> driver fender

Results, my lights got brighter! Both interior and headlights. That was the immediate change I noticed. Since I disconnected the battery, it reset my ecu, I'll get a better feel of it's improvement after stomping on the car a bit more.

Here's some pics:
Battery
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/24538/mods_apr_5_001.jpg">

tb and central ground (valve cover)
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/24538/mods_apr_5_003.jpg">

close up of the coil/valve cover
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/24538/mods_apr_5_011.jpg">

I drill holes on the inside of the fenders as grounding points.

Total cost: $50.



Ok, another mod, well, more of a clean up. I installed my Roady into my ash tray, but it didn't look so great. so, I fabricated a bracket to use instead. I first dismantled the ashtray...yes, the whole thing can come apart! This leaves me the main body. I then I attached the bracket, did some aligning to the way I want, tah dah! Looks great, is easily reacheable, the lower compartment is opened up, and no more ashtray, but still have the cig lighter (for cell phone charger, etc).

Before
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/24538/xm_roady_007.jpg">

After
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/24538/mods_apr_5_012.jpg">

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/24538/mods_apr_5_016.jpg">

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/24538/mods_apr_5_017.jpg">

on ya, I took the red led from the top, and reattached it under the Roady to enhance the lower red effect.

Still need to hard pipe my fmic, fix my rear bumper (giving painting a shot), and custom fab a new boost mount. whew!

parapatherappa

Very impressive - much thanks for the write-up &amp; good luck with the mods

jtntsfr

I wonder if my iPod would fit in the ashtray like that?

S4iscool

nice man, id be too afraid to fry my brains out

coasTTal

How did you come up with the particular sequence you did.

Sounds like we are thinking alot alike right now.

I'm talking to my stainless fabricator at work about making me stainless pipes for all my upper and lower Samcos and maybe even the L shaped pipe coming from the Turbo.

I'm trying to coordinate alot of work that requires the front end off: new 3.2 bumper, new ABt 2 bar grill, clear corners, painted light housing, new piping for intercooler.

And, I've got the same red top Optima sitting in my foyer.

gesTTalt

I used the valve cover gasket. From the central ground, you want that grounded to the passenger fender, and the neg term grounded to the driver side. From what I've read, the more connections the better, but want to have the tranny, central and neg term for sure. I was daisy chaining the ground.

Ya, we are thinking alike! I've got all the stainless steel bends and 4-ply silicone hoses, will be fabricating the whole thing this weekend. I'm also going to make my own intake, similar the the Oettinger ss intake.

I'd like to do the pressure pipe also, but want that to be one piece...so, it'll have to wait until I can get to a mandrel bender, or get a spare that I can send out as a template.

I've got a few other things to do when I have the front off also, clear corners, and want to do something different where the side reflectors are...dunno yet.

Good luck on your project! Btw, when you are doing the grounding wires, completely disconnect your battery! Don't want to accidently touch one of the grounds with the positive terminal! Trust me!

gesTTalt

it...SPARK! Thought I shorted the car! Good thing I didn't.

gesTTalt

That's the fun thing about modding...never know if it will work until you try!

S4iscool

sure didnt help resale value

fignewton

Can't tell from the pics. Thx
Fig