Engine Ground Location?

[Telly]

Anybody know where the ground connection to the engine block is located?

I had to add a ground to the block to get my starter working, but I wasn't sure where the factory ground should be. The new ground also fixed some other PCM issues.

[BigRed03]

there should be two main ones in the engine bay.

first, the pass rear engine hook (right behind the intake cam gear/phaser) connects to the body just under the power steering res.

second, the battery negative connects through a separate wire to the body just to the drivers side of the battery box.

[Telly]

Thanks, found the ground on the pass rear engine hook and it looks like it has been overloaded and melted the insulation. It seems kinda small gauge to carry all the starter current.

Originally Posted by BigRed03

there should be two main ones in the engine bay.

first, the pass rear engine hook (right behind the intake cam gear/phaser) connects to the body just under the power steering res.

[BigRed03]

yeah, it is small. did you upgrade to a larger wire?

[Magus2727]

It should be about the same size as the power going to the starter or a gauge smaller. It is a shorter run for the ground than the positive and since it is only cranking a few seconds it can handle the current for that length of time. That is one of the "big 3" that most people do upgrade though. 4 AWG should be plenty large enough.

While this is the main engine ground there are a few other less direct paths to ground (O2 sensors should have their own ground wire, the motor is mounted to the transmission which has the half shafts to the chassis, etc).

[SVTFocusOnMe]

Is this a recommended upgrade? I have heard of people doing it but are there any benefits on our cars?

[Magus2727]

there is a minimal improvement but it is not ties to any performance increase. just a better overall operation. think of it as increasing your arteries by a small %. it wont do anything to help you run faster or longer, but will be more likely to keep you from having a hart attack or stroke.

Its a $20-$30 change and if your replacing wiring, why not go with a larger gauge. some people go crazy, the guy I got my car from went what I think was a little over kill and had 6 AWG all over the engine bay tying grounds all in 1 large daisy chain.

The typical changes are in the Ground wires from the battery to the chassis and Motor to battery. Positive cable from Alternator to battery, and from battery to starter.

[SVTFocusOnMe]

Yeah I figured there wasn't any performance benefit. So just makes the electrical system flow a bit better, if you can say it that way. Lol

[trackhermit]

It has it's minor benefits.. I noticed a much smoother idle. Personally a little 4gauge wiring and a little time to install the proper grounds was well worth the 20-30$ I spent.

[macdiesel]

might be able to find kits on ebay for cheap. I paid $15 for an ebay kit, hks maybe. May cost more if you bought everything and wanted it to fit perfectly.