Grounding mod FAQ the right way thread pics too!

[mkalbarc]

So I've read the instructions and looked at the pics. Looks like there is going to be a total of 3 connections running from the neg battery, however in the last pic it shows the blue wire running past the last point of connection. Is that going somewhere not mentioned? Just want to make sure I am understanding correctly. Thanks

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[SlideWRX]

This really should be the grounding Fix, as this just cleans up grounds on questionable cars.

As for whether it actually does anything, I can't find the old article about the legacy B4 grounding issues. Subaru (and other OEMS) ground 'just good enough', and when the B4 came out (don't know which generation) several people had grounding problems. The end result is that Subaru enlarged the grounds to fix performance issues.

If people are getting more power from this, it is generally because they weren't making the power they were supposed to originally. Rather, the torque curve had dips from poor grounding that the fix corrected. Seems kinda common on Subaru's.

I really need to re-do mine, as I half-assed it when I did this 3 years ago.

Tom

[wannabesubieowner]

just to make sure i fully understand this process.
all you have to do is run a cable from the battery and split it into three cables and connect them as follows:
one to the altanator then to the left head and then to the right head...?

is that seriously all there it to it or am i missing something?... cuz that sounds so simple that i think i could even do it

also woundering if it really matters what bolt you attatch it to... as long as it is on the head its ok right?

[Davenow]

Originally Posted by mkalbarc

So I've read the instructions and looked at the pics. Looks like there is going to be a total of 3 connections running from the neg battery, however in the last pic it shows the blue wire running past the last point of connection. Is that going somewhere not mentioned? Just want to make sure I am understanding correctly. Thanks

if you are talking about the end I think you are, its going down to the bolt hole on teh passenger side head. You want to ground both heads.

[Davenow]

Originally Posted by psyber_0ptix

so dont ground strut area?

just all over the enigne?

Do you really think your suspension needs to be grounded? Exactly
The chassis is grounded 6 inches from the battery.

[mkalbarc]

Originally Posted by Davenow

if you are talking about the end I think you are, its going down to the bolt hole on teh passenger side head. You want to ground both heads.

Thanks!

[snvin]

Originally Posted by Davenow

Do you really think your suspension needs to be grounded? Exactly
The chassis is grounded 6 inches from the battery.

I am going to ground the last ring to _____ (fill in the blank) after I remove it from the strut top on the passenger side.

I know it doesn't NEED to be grounded to the body over there, but now I have an extra legnth of wire & a ring at the end of it with no home.

[psyber_0ptix]

Originally Posted by snvin

I am going to ground the last ring to _____ (fill in the blank) after I remove it from the strut top on the passenger side.

I know it doesn't NEED to be grounded to the body over there, but now I have an extra legnth of wire & a ring at the end of it with no home.

the head?

maybe the transmission for ****s and giggles. to the reverse light switch works more efficiently?

the exhaust? so the o2 sensor works better?

or maybe the abs block

[Soupy944]

just finished mine...took about a half hour drunk.

[jac04]

I added the alternator and both head grounds a few days ago per Davenow's instructions. It seems to work great. The car really runs smoother now - well worth the minimal time and expense. Thanks Davenow!

[turbolover02]

nice write up. thanks for the info and keep us updated of any more points of grounding.

[Davenow]

Originally Posted by snvin

I am going to ground the last ring to _____ (fill in the blank) after I remove it from the strut top on the passenger side.

I know it doesn't NEED to be grounded to the body over there, but now I have an extra legnth of wire & a ring at the end of it with no home.

Hey more grounds cant hurt, even if there is a chance it wont do anything more...

Have you grounded the tbody yet? I would go for it way before the sturt tower.

[Davenow]

Originally Posted by Soupy944

just finished mine...took about a half hour drunk.

Results? Maybe after you sober up
/runs off to drink beers

[wrx05]

Dave, Id buy a kit for 30 bucks shipped with a decent set of instructions..Just to let you know.

[Soupy944]

Originally Posted by Davenow

Results? Maybe after you sober up
/runs off to drink beers

idles much smoother and when i use turn on the heat or a/c the engine doesn't "chug" as bad... ahhh an hour and a half till drunk time.

[BryanH]

I am still stunned that any of you would think that this would not make a difference. OEM's have been doing just good enough on cars for YEARS. GM had a TSB on doing just this for a long time if a customer reported rough idle and no other problems were found....and this was in the 89 and on Quad4 engines.

The grounding mod used to be my first order of business when I was still installing car stereo's for a living. Without it you could count of the headlights flashing and maybe the car stalling....after it usually no problems.

[Davenow]

Originally Posted by BryanH

I am still stunned that any of you would think that this would not make a difference. OEM's have been doing just good enough on cars for YEARS. GM had a TSB on doing just this for a long time if a customer reported rough idle and no other problems were found....and this was in the 89 and on Quad4 engines.

The grounding mod used to be my first order of business when I was still installing car stereo's for a living. Without it you could count of the headlights flashing and maybe the car stalling....after it usually no problems.

The problem is that so many people have done it, and not put any thought into finding the good spots to ground. If you dont bother doing that, it will do squat.

[V6TurboTA]

will this fit on an STi?

~v6

[Bishop]

Originally Posted by wrx05

Dave, Id buy a kit for 30 bucks shipped with a decent set of instructions..Just to let you know.

that's what i've been sayin too. i'll take a set in black.

[Rev1]

Originally Posted by V6TurboTA

will this fit on an STi?

~v6

I'll take some pics of my grounding kit later ... It's a $55 custom made ... and I believe mine works

[hopeless_romantic]

just thought i would chirp in here with my grounding mod experience.

initially, i learned the mod from scoobymods.com. the first attempt i ran 2 separate 10 gauge wires from the (-) terminal to each strut tower. i got no results by doing this.

after a month of assuming subaru took care of the grouding problem from earlier models on my MY05 rs, i began to read this thread and decided to try to run 2 more grounding wires to the engine head. by running 2 separate 10 gauge wires to each side of the engine head, i got results.

from what i can tell after just having done this over my lunch break (in less than 30 mins), this mode enhanced the car's performance. my ECU did not reset b/c i still have all my radio presets. so that is not the cause of my delight.

the car is a step quicker out of the gates now. the first thing i noticed was that when slightly revving the engine in neutral, the tactometer would drop down lower than its usual idling rpm. it actually almost stalled while i let it idle for a few minutes.

while driving around for 20 minutes, i became a true believer. no more half second hesitation when flooring it. the engine just seemed to react much sooner.

i have 2 more ring terminals and a short length of wire left to run to the alternator to finish the job. i checked the stock grounding point, and it is fine b/c it has a bare contact point and plent of grease on it.

thanx to dave and to nasioc for helping my car run better.

this mod is very worthwhile when done correctly. even for a MY05.

[chewbakarox]

NWwagon - Clean wiring job....I like the grommets!!

[psyber_0ptix]

OK, WHERE on the heads do you ground?

the valve cover things, or up by the spark plugs, there are threaded holes.... what is that exactly?

i wish i had a pic, but i cannot explain in any other way...

[Davenow]

Originally Posted by psyber_0ptix

OK, WHERE on the heads do you ground?

the valve cover things, or up by the spark plugs, there are threaded holes.... what is that exactly?

i wish i had a pic, but i cannot explain in any other way...

Pretty much anywhere that is a good solid bolt.
If there are threaded holes on the head itself, even better.

[mkalbarc]

Just a quick update.
I did this to my car last weekend but didn't get to test it out until this morning. It worked like a charm. There was no more surge at 5k rpm. Just a nice smooth pull all the way through. Thanks again Davenow for the help!