Wiring, Stereo & Electronics Audio Components | Radars | Alarms - and things that spark when they shouldn't

Anyone Make a Pre-Made 'Big 3' Kit for F-Body?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-29-2006, 05:07 AM
  #1  
TECH Addict
Thread Starter
iTrader: (61)
 
1QUIKWS6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: USA
Posts: 2,304
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Question Anyone Make a Pre-Made 'Big 3' Kit for F-Body?

Hope this question hasn't been asked a million times before (did a search and didn't find anything):

Does anyone make a pre-made 'Big 3' Kit for F-Body?

-Jay-
Old 11-30-2006, 08:16 PM
  #2  
TECH Apprentice
 
CockerKid009's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Central IL
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

i don't know what that is, wish i could help ttt for ya
Old 11-30-2006, 08:42 PM
  #3  
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (3)
 
Blacker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 1,670
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

I just made my own using 4 gauge wire.
Old 12-01-2006, 04:45 AM
  #4  
TECH Addict
Thread Starter
iTrader: (61)
 
1QUIKWS6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: USA
Posts: 2,304
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

I know I could make my own - just wondering if there is a pre-made kit out there available before I embark on the project
Old 12-01-2006, 05:49 AM
  #5  
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Formula350's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Decatur, TN (N-W of Athens)
Posts: 7,564
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

Curious on what you're talking about as well...
Old 12-01-2006, 05:56 AM
  #6  
TECH Addict
Thread Starter
iTrader: (61)
 
1QUIKWS6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: USA
Posts: 2,304
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

BIG 3

(1) Upgraded Size Cable - Alternator to Battery
(2) Upgraded Size Cable - Battery to Starter
(3) Upgraded Size Cable - Battery to Junction Box

Normally used when installing aftermarket Hi-Amp alternators in conjunction with hi power audio equipment that put an increased current demand on the car electrical system...
Old 12-02-2006, 05:19 AM
  #7  
TECH Resident
iTrader: (4)
 
ultraz's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 885
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Hmm , I thought the Big three were 1 ground to battery terminal, Battery to Alternator, and battery to junctionbox
Old 12-02-2006, 05:21 AM
  #8  
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (2)
 
Blown383's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Here you go:

http://www.innovativewiring.com/Chev...CamaroPage.htm

-B
Old 12-02-2006, 10:30 AM
  #9  
TECH Addict
Thread Starter
iTrader: (61)
 
1QUIKWS6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: USA
Posts: 2,304
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Thanx! Hopefully the LT1 version they have listed is the same as the LS1 version, or they could make a set for LS1...
Old 12-02-2006, 11:16 AM
  #10  
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (3)
 
Blacker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 1,670
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

When I did mine, I replaced:

+12V Battery to +12V Junction Box
+12V Junction Box to Alternator
Battery Ground to Chassis

The starter wire really does not need to be upgraded.
Old 12-02-2006, 02:28 PM
  #11  
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (2)
 
Blown383's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Scroll down and you'll see a set for the LS1. You can also request for certain wires to be extended if you've done the !wire mod.

-B
Old 12-02-2006, 03:53 PM
  #12  
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (3)
 
Blacker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 1,670
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

$80 was a lot more than I paid making my own. Plus, the wire I used is much better with gold plated connectors.
Old 12-02-2006, 04:05 PM
  #13  
TECH Addict
Thread Starter
iTrader: (61)
 
1QUIKWS6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: USA
Posts: 2,304
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Yeah, I scrolled down and found the LS1 version. Their set includes:

Positive Cables

Battery to Starter
Battery to Alternator
Battery to Junction Box

Negative Cables

Battery to Engine
Battery to Frame

And yes, he will extend the correct wires if you've done the !wire mod. They are using 2 GA wire for all the cables with solid copper ends crimped & soldered, shrink wrapped, flame retardant loom, and boots for the battery and alternator ends.

I'm sure it's more $$ than doing it yourself - but I don't have the time to mess around with making the cables - so for me it's worth it.
Old 12-02-2006, 05:28 PM
  #14  
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (2)
 
Blown383's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Same here... I don't have time to hunt around for the thick wiring, connectors, and I don't have the heavy duty crimping tools either so it was worth it. Btw I got on a GP a while back so it was a lot less.

-B
Old 12-02-2006, 11:19 PM
  #15  
Restricted User
iTrader: (2)
 
MikeFbody's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: south central PA
Posts: 457
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I swear, anytime I hear someone mention the "big 3" I want to just slap someone.

It just annoys me that upgrading some wiring has become such a popular mod, that it has earned it's own name, and therefore everyone wants to do this, whether their car needs it or not.

ok, let's go over this kit here.

battery to starter: pointless. your car starts now just fine, right ? so what's the point in upgrading the wire ? Did your system upgrades put more strain on the starter ? no. This is one wire I cannot see any justification for upgrading unless you replaced the starter with a bigger one.

battery to alternator: makes sense if you are running a larger alternator, or you are pushing the stock alternator to it's limits.

battery to junction box: makes sense if you have more accesories running from your fused junction box. but realisticly, any accessory added that taps into the stock wiring is not going to draw enough current to justify upgrading this wire.

ground cable:
battery to engine: well, this is a new wire. The battery in an ls1 does not ground directly to the engine. The engine grounds to the frame.

battery to frame: this upgrade can be justified if you have a large system.
Old 12-03-2006, 05:16 AM
  #16  
TECH Senior Member
 
2MuchRiceMakesMeSick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Texas
Posts: 6,157
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Theres nothing wrong with replacing the wires with bigger better wires.
Its not particularly necessary but every little bit helps.
I think the ground is the only one that is really necessary as far as a 'normal' system goes
Old 12-03-2006, 01:42 PM
  #17  
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (2)
 
Blown383's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by Mike @ FbodyAudio
I swear, anytime I hear someone mention the "big 3" I want to just slap someone.

It just annoys me that upgrading some wiring has become such a popular mod, that it has earned it's own name, and therefore everyone wants to do this, whether their car needs it or not.

ok, let's go over this kit here.

battery to starter: pointless. your car starts now just fine, right ? so what's the point in upgrading the wire ? Did your system upgrades put more strain on the starter ? no. This is one wire I cannot see any justification for upgrading unless you replaced the starter with a bigger one.

battery to alternator: makes sense if you are running a larger alternator, or you are pushing the stock alternator to it's limits.

battery to junction box: makes sense if you have more accesories running from your fused junction box. but realisticly, any accessory added that taps into the stock wiring is not going to draw enough current to justify upgrading this wire.

ground cable:
battery to engine: well, this is a new wire. The battery in an ls1 does not ground directly to the engine. The engine grounds to the frame.

battery to frame: this upgrade can be justified if you have a large system.
Great reasoning but quick question... how does one upgrade only 1 or 2 wires when they are bundled up and crimped?

-B
Old 12-03-2006, 04:15 PM
  #18  
TECH Addict
Thread Starter
iTrader: (61)
 
1QUIKWS6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: USA
Posts: 2,304
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Well I AM doing this mod because I need it - makes just as much sense as the !Wire Mod - whose only purpose is to clean up a 12in section of wiring from being seen - but everyone wants to do that.

I find that with the combo of my:

Oil Cooler Cooling Fan
Tranny Cooler Cooling Fan
100W Driving Lights
Upgraded Halogen Low/High Beams
Sub Amp putting out 500W/Channel
Regular Amp putting out 150W/Channel

That at night, when all of this is running (including the stock cooling fans) that my lights would dim and the volt gage drop well into the yellow zone.

This is with a brand new Optima Red Top and a perfectly good stock alternator (if you consider the weak output of the stock alt 'good').

The car only has 30K miles on it - I installed a 200A aftermarket alternator that has hi idle amps and just want to finish off the job with some upgraded wiring.

I agree that not all the wires included are needed - but as Blown383 stated - how do you upgrade 1 or 2 wires when they are all crimped together?

Replacing them all just makes for a clean install.

It may be 'slapping territory' but just think how much you could make selling these kits to all the people that want to do it anyway.

Sounds like a little bit of 'sour grapes' to me
Old 12-04-2006, 12:37 AM
  #19  
TECH Resident
iTrader: (4)
 
ultraz's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 885
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by Mike @ FbodyAudio
I swear, anytime I hear someone mention the "big 3" I want to just slap someone.

It just annoys me that upgrading some wiring has become such a popular mod, that it has earned it's own name, and therefore everyone wants to do this, whether their car needs it or not.

ok, let's go over this kit here.

battery to starter: pointless. your car starts now just fine, right ? so what's the point in upgrading the wire ? Did your system upgrades put more strain on the starter ? no. This is one wire I cannot see any justification for upgrading unless you replaced the starter with a bigger one.

battery to alternator: makes sense if you are running a larger alternator, or you are pushing the stock alternator to it's limits.

battery to junction box: makes sense if you have more accesories running from your fused junction box. but realisticly, any accessory added that taps into the stock wiring is not going to draw enough current to justify upgrading this wire.

ground cable:
battery to engine: well, this is a new wire. The battery in an ls1 does not ground directly to the engine. The engine grounds to the frame.

battery to frame: this upgrade can be justified if you have a large system.
I def. agree that not everyone needs the upgrades. I need it because im preparing for a new alternator and running 2800 watts rms
Old 12-04-2006, 06:33 PM
  #20  
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (3)
 
Richiec77's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: I play with Sand!!
Posts: 1,799
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

I looked at trying to build and sell some kit's myself, but I was deployed before I could put anything together.

I'd upgrade the GND: Chassis to Battery. Engine to Battery./Frame, and the POS wire from the Alt to the Battery. If you are drawing more current from the Alt because of the Drain of a stereo, you'll see a measured increase in voltage. To just do it and you aren't increasing the current drain from the charging system won't hurt anything, but isn't neccessary.

1Quick, I'd say to definitly do it. Just ignor the POS Battery term to the Starter. It's not needed unless you have a 15:1 compression ratio and a mega starter in there.

So After typing all this out, I'm in agreement with Mike except on the junction box wire only because it's a popular place to bolt on the main power wire for a system. Then it makes sence since the current takes the path of least resistance, and a larger wire from the Battery to the Terminal is that path.


Quick Reply: Anyone Make a Pre-Made 'Big 3' Kit for F-Body?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:51 PM.