Radman

Anybody know if there are plans to release a grounding kit? Can the Mustang even benefit from one? I know they are pretty big on the import scene, but they may actually be something worth carrying over to the stang. When I was looking at the 350Z's, forum members claimed they got a smoother idle and maybe a smidge better responsiveness from installing the kit. If nothing else, they tend to significantly dress up the engine bay. I'm mainly looking for opinions on whether they work, and if the Stang could benefit from it.

Jason

sqweak

grounding? as in, electrical? :scratch:

Radman

Yes, it's supposed to help provide a better electrical signal.

Jason

BillP

So you are saying that Japanese imports have poorly designed electrical systems? Hahahahaha!

The computer on the Mustang is mounted directly to the chassis.
The engine is well grounded (has to be, it's got a 135amp alternator grounded through it!)
The coils are directly mounted to the plugs.

I don't see any indication that the Ford design has any poor grounding characteristics.

adrenalin

I guess I don't understand the question. If there was a grounding issue we would notice lots of issues. Coming from a computer electronics background I do understand the importance of having all of the electrical devices grounded properly, but in automotive....what do I know right!

BillP

I bet it's one of those things that people in the ricer crowd "swear by" that has no value other than to pad the pockets of the parts shops.

It is true that you want a common ground for all devices. This is especially true with anything that is hypersensitive to high frequencies, such as audio equipment.

Seriously, I don't think japanese cars have any worse electrical grounding than anything else.

Radman

It isn't so much that there are grounding problems, but the situation can be improved upon. The 350Z my technically be a ricer, but it's also a legit performance car so this isn't a bunch of 18-year old punks believing any trash thrown their way (no offense to 18-year old punks). As I said before, it helps create a "cleaner" electrical system, or is supposed to anyways. I'll see if I can dig up some links. In any case, it does dress up the engine bay significantly so there is at least some aesthetic value to it.

Jason

BillP

You could put a freakin dollhouse under the hood to dress it up, but if it doesn't make it go faster, it's just dead weight.

There is NO reason to make something run "cleaner" if it's not broken. Is the spark going to spark better or more accurately? Is the computer going to run more accurately? In either case, I'd say that if they engine grounding from the factory wasn't sufficient, then the Japanese must be crummy engineers (which they are not, so I'm surprised this is even an issue).

Now, if you are REMOVING all stock grounding, and want to add a "purty" grounding strap because it will impress your friends, then by all means, purty it up.

Stang281

Actually, a grounding kit on a 350Z does gain horsepower, 2 - 3 depending, so it isn't just a ''I think it's true'' thing. There are tons of threads on my350z.com about grounding kits and what they improve.

BillP

Right, again, I did a quick google search and apparently the 350Z has a crummy electrical system. And guys replace the bad cables with 8g speaker wire and they get their performance back. They don't "gain" horsepower, they simply get back the lost horsepower.

So you can do it with $5 worth of Monster Cable, $2 worth of cheap wire, or $150 worth of wallet-bait. You make the choice (hint, save your money for a new MAF, or wheels, etc.)