Grounding

[240sx2Nur]

I noticed that both of my sidemarkers don't turn on, and my headlights dim when I turn the stereo up, or use the power windows.  I have a brand new battery, and all new ignition components. So I figured something must be wrong with the grounding. What can I do to check? And if it is the grounding, are the so-called performance grounding systems worth it, or is it just bs (i.e. HKS Circle Earth System)?

[logo20]

I wish I could help you, but all I can say is check all the fuses and the alternator. &nbsp; <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'>

[kandyflip445]

Check your voltage with a multimeter on the ground wires.

[SilviaDriver]

do not buy those performance ground systems. i was actually talkin to my friend about them earlier today.

TI.net (http://team-integra.net/forum....RL]

you can try that, but the link wont for for u unless u join the forum. ill just post everything that was said.


luckypnp: have run across sevral people that have taken the crap stock ground wire off the head and put on like 0 gauge ground wire. now is there anything acutally gained out of doing this??

Gvtec:Not really. It's mainly done for looks, as the stock wires aren't pretty.

I used a 1' section of black 8 gauge wire to connect the head to the front of the car, as it looks better than the bare wire Honda puts on there.

Michael Delaney: wanna see some real JDM bling bling hype on grounds or "Earthing systems" as the Japanese call it? ...from you know where....
http://www.sunautomobile.com/hypergroundsystem/products.jpg

http://www.sunautomobile.com/hypergroundsystem/hgs_pro.htm

yes and it makes 4 whp! The Area51 guys who are out where SurferX lives swear by these hyperground systems and say the dynos don't lie.

if you believe that and want to spend $119 US for a pretty colored ground wire, then you must be richer than me because I sure as hell won't be spending my hard earned money on that...again, back to the basics: how do we make big power with the biggest bang for the buck?
more air in, better burn (efficiency and speed), and better removal of the burnt stuff. it's like the ignition system hype...history repeats itself.

So yes, if you lay out the ground wire on both corners of the block properly there is a benefit but don't go expecting hype gains....BTW you can do this on your own

thanks to Tommy Gunns who posted this over at you know where....

*********************************************
SIMPLIFIED INSTRUCTIONS: Start out by putting a ring connector on the end of the wire, then bolt it down to where you want to ground, run the wire to the negative battery terminal, and cut off the excess. I chose to put 1 big ring connector to hold 2 grounding wires at the battery end for a cleaner look.

I installed 4 grounding points and they are as follows:

1. The VTEC solenoid
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid23/pe3ed0e81703b8f472d88164bff41fb8d/fd9ef7f1.jpg

2. The Intake Manifold (furthest passenger side bolt)

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid23/p1bcb04281f3dc270ce04e75c5dc59b42/fd9ef7f3.jpg

3. The Head

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid23/p7f2350c53f4cd77c279362e7d54e62eb/fd9ef7f7.jpg

There is a threaded hole by the power steering hose bracket on the head. I just went to the hardware store to pick up a bolt and washer. I don't remember the bolt size off the top of my head.

4. The Alternator (the easiest access bolt on the alternator bracket)

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid23/p7154c7b790e2dc642033ff8ded8a0c1f/fd9ef7fa.jpg

All of the wires are then directed back to the negative battery terminal. I zip tied all the wires to the strut tower bar. I used re-useable zip ties and that's the reason why I didn't cut them.



As you can see, I removed the stock valve cover ground as that is no longer needed. This whole system costed me around $35 USD [TI Mod note: NOT $119!!!] . I have about 8 ft of 4 gauge wire left and some ring connectors which will be used to ground the tranny and thermostat...much much cheaper....

**********************************************

Imagestation for larger photos but register there first BEFORE u click this link (http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4291700897)

cheers

PS I see that Tommy didn't use 0 gauge though....

luckypnp: wow thanx for the help guys!!

Michael Delaney:as I said, the sunauto hyper ground system is more "hype" and less "grounded" as you think ....so don't get too excited by the marketing.

Kelly:The G3's have a ground wire that runs from the battery to the strut tower and one that runs from the transmission to the frame as well as the valve cover wire. I upgraded the valve cover to 8 gauge and the others to 4 gauge. The wire from the battery is the most critical as it carries all the current.

I did voltage drop tests, and my upgraded wires did provide a small benefit. I don't remember the exact numbers. I now have a maximum voltage drop of .030V. I have no idea if this increased my horsepower, but my electrical accessories like it (this is not subjective, as my electrical accessories told me this)

SurferX: Yeah Area51 did tell me they dynoed a couple HP gain. I'm sure the stock ground wire(s) were old and beat up to begin with so anything would have been better.

But they do the "earthing" crap in Japan, that means it's good no matter what.

RR02F8:i replaced my grounds, but with silver ground strap from work. i did it for looks not power and i don't think that the benefit is worth 119........


so yea, as u can tell the write up is for a G3 integra, but you can apply it to the 240sx KA. i plan to upgrade my ground go gauge 0 which is the best.

[240sx2Nur]

Thanks a lot, I appreciate the honest and helpful answer &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> .

[sanmiam]

Well, I was trying to do the grounding thing today, but I was baffled when I could not for the life of me find the VTEC soloniod. &nbsp;Does anyone know where this is in my 240? &nbsp;I mean I have the stickers that say VTEC, but cannot find the damn soloniod. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>

(yes, I am joking, no I have no stickers)

[240sx2Nur]

It should be right next to the Adonized Lime Green "Powered by Honda" oil cap &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'> &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hehe.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':hehe:'>

[Steeles]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (sanmiam @ Dec. 12 2002,11:17)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Well, I was trying to do the grounding thing today, but I was baffled when I could not for the life of me find the VTEC soloniod. Does anyone know where this is in my 240? I mean I have the stickers that say VTEC, but cannot find the damn soloniod. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>

(yes, I am joking, no I have no stickers)</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
its just to the right of your blinker fluid cant miss it &nbsp; <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'> &nbsp; <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':laugh:'> &nbsp; <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/baaa.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':baaa:'>

[SilviaDriver]

haha yea quit mockin them u nuts! haha i actually found mine!! but on a serious note, you cn do it juss apply it to the KA. W/O the vtec soloniod..hey its better than paying 100+ bucks right?