engine grounding - REVISED PRICING ON PAGE 7 (7/5/11)

[Kavik]

I'll mark you down as tentative 

I've got some work to do on Kim's car this weekend, I'll try to get all the measurements nailed down during that, then I can finalize the prices

[darroj]

do you have details on connection to the alternator? Just pictures or something. I have't done much research yet...

[Kavik]

for the power wire, it will be a 4ga wire with an in-line fuse going to the top of the alternator, where that red rubber cap is on it.  This is just a higher quality replacement to an already existing connection.

for the ground it will be a 4ga wire that connects to the mounting bolt on the right side of the alternator.
look for the bright blue line I drew on the attached pic, there's a long bolt that runs through there that is used for mounting and aligning the alternator.  I plan to attach the to back of that bolt, rather than the front, so that we don't have to pull the whole bolt and worry about messing up the belt tension

[TylerBeau]

I think I'll be interested in this as well. Keep me updated.

[Kavik]

need to know which option you'd be interested, to know how much of each wire I need to be buying.  size of the spool effects the price per foot

[spoolordie]

id like to do this but my funds are real real tight so i need a price for the whole sha-bang

[Kavik]

okay.....the price is going to change slightly depending on how much we buy, that's why I need to know which version you're interested in to be able to give an accurate estimate.


I just purchased 20 ft of heat shrink in black, so I can tell you right now that that will cost you 5 cents per inch  
I'm guessing 1.5" per ring connector, so count up the rings for the version you want, multiple by 1.5 then again by .05 to get your actual cost for the first verified part of the kit!  


I also found a couple real cheap sources for gold plated ring terminals.  By buying in bulk they'll end up cheaper than standard crappy metal terminals, but I have to double check and make sure they have the right size holes for the bolts they'll be attached to.

Other than that, like I said, I'm shooting to have the wire measurements done this weekend, then I should be able to give you a close quote +/- just a couple bucks




You guys gotta think of this as a project, not a ready made product.  I need input to be able to plan properly.  And there will also be hands on work required on your ends.
That said, does anyone involved have a place we could get together for the installs?  I'm afraid I only have 1 driveway space, and it's taken up by a car that's not mobile 

[spoolordie]

ummm could i get the number #4 with extra cheese and a diet soda

the fast food way of engine grounding

[Kavik]

LOL you went from tight funds to the most expensive option, you realize that, right?

[Trev]

If you need a older car to do this on im available almost evreyday 

[Kavik]

The install? Or just themeasuring?
I'm not looking for exact numbers, everyone might want to route theirs a little different, so measuring on a2.0 wrx should give me a fair average for numbers 

[Trev]

Either or, lol, basically what i ment was if you need an older car like mine for anything (measurements or test fitting, im available) 

[Kavik]

haha oh wait, you were in as a tentative already    sorry, I lost track

yeah man, I figure everyone has their own taste.  Kim wants a splash of color, so she wants the wires visible.  I want less flash, so I'll be using extra wire to route it under the intake manifold and what-not.  After getting a close enough measurement to figure out how much to buy, after that there's not really any sense in test fitting each car until it's time to do the install.  We can just run off the spool and cut to length for each cable and get it just the way you want 

[Trev]

i want clean but visible, not all over the place. Whats your idea on a price? Like ball park?

[Kavik]

I'll have an idea of that after I take the preliminary measurements this weekend

[Trev]

Oh. Haha, I need to read better. Well, i made a cheap version before, and it improved a few things, bur i think the way your doing it is much more beefier, so it should provide better results!

[Kavik]

much more beefier, that's the way I like it 

[Trev]

Beef, its whats for dinner. 

[TylerBeau]

Well I don't mind spending money. And I'm very meticulous. Definitely gold plated terminals. Heat shrink for the world. I want a clean look. Whatever guage is best. My car is just a stock 2.5i. But I've got my sound system, and Hella's, and HID's. So I could definitely use some more grounding. So just put me down for the best set-up. What are the options really? What should I do? If you want I can PM you my number and talk about it. And I've never done this. So you'll have to do it with me. So I'll chip in some extra and beer.

[Kavik]

just beer works 
I kinda was figuring we'd all work together, or at least in a couple different group sessions.

I'd prefer to keep the discussion here in case there's anything others could benefit from, if you don't mind the typing


When you say sound system, have you already got extra wires running for a powered amp straight off the battery? If so, we could look at adding in a multiple fused distribution block for you, utilizing the wire you already have in place and adding the rest of these wires to it.  That is, if you can't find a battery terminal with enough holes in it.  A distribution block is probably $25-40 more with fuses (rough estimate from memory of things I stumbled across in my searches)




I'd also like to remind people, I'm not a professional either.  I've done some researching, and installed a pre-built grounding kit in a previous car.....but when it comes down to the install, the final say and final responsabilities will be yours, so make sure you do as much homework on this as I did 

[Kavik]

this is what I'm picking up for my cars for the battery terminals:
http://www.caraudiogiants.com/Items/tsbt-pn?&caSKU=tsbt-pn&caTitle=Tsunami%20TSBT-PN%201/0GA%20or%204GA%20%26%20%282%29%208GA%20Out

for those looking for battery terminals, these would cover what we need for this project, but if you need additional wires (for a sound system or whatever) you'd have to run a separate distribution block after the terminals

I'll leave it up to each of you if you want to order these or find others, just providing the link for the ones I liked 

[Kavik]

also, I've found a 10 pack of fuse holders with 150amp fuses for $46

so now we're up to $4.60 for the fuse
Maybe $2 for heat shrink at most
Still working on the ring terminals, but that should be under $5 for the set with the most rings
couple bucks for solder
tomorrow I'll have the measurements for the wires

It's looking though like the most expensive kit to make (without factoring in new battery terminals) will fall in under $40
look for closer numbers over the nest day or two 

[Kavik]

alright, I've got a couple pockets full of cut up rope.....now if I can find a damn tape measure we'll be in business lol

[Kavik]

Okay, if I buy 2 spools of 35' each of 4 gauge and 8 gauge that will be everything we need for 8 sets for those who wanted them

Pricing for just the wire is as follows:
Option 1/2: $5.63
Option 3/4: $9.67

Add $4.60 for the fuse, $2-ish for heat shrink, $2-ish for solder, estimate high at $6 for ring terminals

Pricing will be approximately:
$20-25 for option 1 or 2
$25-30 for options 3 or 4
(not including cost of battery terminals)



I'll source the ring terminals in the next couple of days, but that won't make more that a buck or two difference either way.  In the mean time, I need everyone who expressed interest to give me a final answer so I can place the orders in the next few days

[Trev]

As long as its under 35 dollars complete, give me option 3 and when to pay