Ground Wire Install - 420a

[david-b]

This is a writeup for those of you who asked me to do one. This is step-by-step instructions on how to do it. The pics are all as links, because I didn't resize them (too lazy). This is for the 420a. A wiring setup for the 4g63 can be found on dsmtuners.com.

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I bought a cheap ground wiring kit off of ebay for about $35. I realized that this kit is pretty much useless, but it's good if you're too lazy to make your own kit. Wires included are good, and there is a neat little cap that allows you to hook up all the wires directly to the negative (-) terminal on the battery. I suppose you can make one of these, but it was easier just to buy. If you're like me, I would suggest buying one. $35 is not that bad.

1st, take off the negative battery terminal, and cut the wire at where it connects to the fire wall. Install the cap on the negative terminal. If you have a strut bar like I do, you'll have some problems. If the kit came with a cap, it won't go on. Here is a pic of the cap installed.

http://www.dsm3d.com/Ground/DSCF0003.JPG


Next, start hooking the wires to the pieces you want to ground. Do the tranny, intake manifold, head, block, alternator, and the firewall. Connect a short wire to the same place where the stock ground wire was connected to. Its right on the firewall directly behind the battery. If possible, use all new bolts, and clean each surface thoroughly before reinstalling. That will provide a better connection.


On the intake manifold, I connected it to the throttle cable tensioner. There is also a ground going from there to the firewall. Replace the one, and add the other wire going to the battery. Make sure the throttle cable is tight on, so you don't have problems with a loose gas peddle.
http://www.dsm3d.com/Ground/DSCF0004.JPG


For the one going to the block, I actually did 2. The 1st one is connected to the front of the block. There is a metal brace that holds the stock DP to the engine.
http://www.dsm3d.com/Ground/DSCF0005.JPG
The picture is hard to see, but the wire was connected to one of the bolts holding that brace on. That wire is then connected to the head. There is a bolt holding on some cables, but it connected straight to the head.
http://www.dsm3d.com/Ground/DSCF0007.JPG
That wire is then connected to the battery terminal.


The other one (don't have a pic) is connected to the block on the back of the engine block. There is a little plastic box/cover right below the intake manifold. There are 2 bolts holding that on. Take one off and install the wire, and put the bolt back on. Go under the car, and look up at the back of the block (between the firewall and the motor). The black plastic is easy to see. It's close up to the head.


Then, for the alternator, I bought some 4-gauge wire and some connectors. I then connected it to the bolt that holds the alternator in place. This bolt when released makes the alternator loose, so make sure that you tighten everything up really well. Here is a bad pic of the wire
http://www.dsm3d.com/Ground/DSCF0008.JPG
Connect that directly to the battery terminal. It's easy to just take out the cruise-control box and everything where the throttle cable goes into, and just go through the top to get to it.


I would also suggest replacing the ground wire that's connected to the cat converter. There is one little braided wire there. If you've replaced your exhaust, this wire is probably gone. I kept mine, so I redid it with some better wire. Just connect to the chasis and the cat. That's all.


It's not too hard, and this can be done without a kit. Just use some 4-gauge wire. This and the connectors can be found at a local hardware store.

Performance difference??? It's hard to say. I did some other work when installing, so I'm too sure. Some people say that their lights are brighter and there is a quicker throttle response. I did notice on my voltage gauge that it was charging alittle better, so there was some better flowing power.

[tr10av]

Thanks for the pics and write-up. Mine should be done on Tuesday.

[l_eclipse_l]

Looks good man. Thanks for the write up, should make the install a little easier.

[david-b]

No Problem. Good luck