The Big 3 Upgrade

spyder_013 · 06-20-2011, 04:22 PM

Alright, after adding my sound system, my next job is to upgrade the Big 3. I am using 1/0 AWG wire all the way around for it. I did some searching on here, and couldn't find my specific answer, maybe I searched the wrong things, so... here goes:

Ok, the Battery Negative to Chasis is easy, but the Chasis to Engine is the one that is a bit confusing to me. I have the 2.2l Ecotec in my '03 Alero, where do I ground from? Many guides/forums I looked at said to ground off of one of the mounting bolts of the Alternator, but the little info I found on here said to use a Transmission bolt, but I don't really know what bolt to use?

I feel the Alt + to the Batt + is pretty easy, I just have to add a wire to where that boot is on the Alt that says "Batt +", correct?

Thanks!

spyder_013 · 06-20-2011, 04:52 PM

So, when those guides say Alt Mounting Bolt, does that mean I can use one of the ones highlighted in red?

cherrington17 · 06-20-2011, 06:35 PM

Correct on the + alt.

grounding alt to body is the same as engine to body, since the mount IS a ground, to the engine.

heineck · 06-20-2011, 08:10 PM

i did mine from the one of the bolts near the valve cover to the strut tower

spyder_013 · 06-20-2011, 08:26 PM

Ok, but so pretty much grounding to pretty much any bolt on the engine will work for grounding? So just grab something that say holds a bracket on that is on the rear of the engine so its closest to the strut tower?

heineck · 06-20-2011, 08:33 PM

it has to run from the engine to the chassis so yea. or you can use near the trans harness theres 2 grounds that run from there too

spyder_013 · 06-21-2011, 10:47 AM

Sorry to beat a dead horse... but I like to over think things and make absolutely sure I am doing it right.

Can I use the screw circled in red? It just holds on the exhaust header cover... right? It is obviously connected to the engine.

JLw7123 · 06-21-2011, 11:33 AM

you can use that but there should be a ground already on the engine. Follow the negative wires on the battery.

spyder_013 · 06-21-2011, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLw7123

you can use that but there should be a ground already on the engine. Follow the negative wires on the battery.

So, can I/should I just follow that wire? Obviously use the same point on the engine, should I just have the new/extra ground wire go back to the battery? or should I ground to the chasis, ie the strut tower?

JLw7123 · 06-21-2011, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spyder_013

So, can I/should I just follow that wire? Obviously use the same point on the engine, should I just have the new/extra ground wire go back to the battery? or should I ground to the chasis, ie the strut tower?

The best ground is on the chassis of the car but if you do that make sure you sand off all the paint. here are some videos.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iX9Rcq5DnKw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVAZXtgtvNE

also i would get an aftermarket ring terminal.
http://www.stingerelectronics.com/pr...&CategoryID=10

JLw7123 · 06-21-2011, 01:45 PM

you will want to get 2 new ring teminals one for positive and one for negative terminals. What subs and amp are you planning to have. Also are you planning to upgrade your battery.

spyder_013 · 06-21-2011, 03:05 PM

I am planning to upgrade my battery soon, just not yet, but so I wont invest in terminals since my new battery probably wont use the same ones. Subs and Amp are in my sig, its all wired, just experiencing a bit of light dimming, and the Big 3 is obviously beneficial, so its getting done.

JLw7123 · 06-21-2011, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spyder_013

I am planning to upgrade my battery soon, just not yet, but so I wont invest in terminals since my new battery probably wont use the same ones. Subs and Amp are in my sig, its all wired, just experiencing a bit of light dimming, and the Big 3 is obviously beneficial, so its getting done.

well if you get aftermerket teminals you can use them on almost any battery you buy. For the battery i would go with XS power or optima redtop of yellowtop. I had the red top and it was a great battery. The terminals that is posted will work even if you switch the battery.
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...5302-Gold.html

cherrington17 · 06-21-2011, 03:54 PM

I went through 2 redtops, one died for reasons unknown (didn't hold a charge after a couple years) and the 2nd had a battery terminal melt. Literally melted.

I switched to yellow. No problems.

JLw7123 · 06-21-2011, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cherrington17

I went through 2 redtops, one died for reasons unknown (didn't hold a charge after a couple years) and the 2nd had a battery terminal melt. Literally melted.

I switched to yellow. No problems.

ya i do not have my redtop anymore. i am getting a XS power battery soon.

spyder_013 · 06-21-2011, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLw7123

well if you get aftermerket teminals you can use them on almost any battery you buy. For the battery i would go with XS power or optima redtop of yellowtop. I had the red top and it was a great battery. The terminals that is posted will work even if you switch the battery.
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...5302-Gold.html

So, that terminal will work with a standard side post battery (My current one)? I think it is just a Napa Select I got from my uncle.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cherrington17

I went through 2 redtops, one died for reasons unknown (didn't hold a charge after a couple years) and the 2nd had a battery terminal melt. Literally melted.

I switched to yellow. No problems.

Is the yellow top recommended by you guys? My sound system isn't very powerful, I just want something that is good and will last.

Aside from the Battery Negative to Ground Wire, there is only one other wire coming off of it, and that wire goes to the engine, right? I believe I found what you said, I just want to keep beating that stupid dead horse....

JLw7123 · 06-21-2011, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spyder_013

So, that terminal will work with a standard side post battery (My current one)? I think it is just a Napa Select I got from my uncle.

Is the yellow top recommended by you guys? My sound system isn't very powerful, I just want something that is good and will last.

Aside from the Battery Negative to Ground Wire, there is only one other wire coming off of it, and that wire goes to the engine, right? I believe I found what you said, I just want to keep beating that stupid dead horse....

ya it should work they sell batteries with battery terminals on the side and on the top of the battery like this.
https://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/C...0389976& An=0 But it will work on a regular battery too but optima is a great battery.

JLw7123 · 06-21-2011, 04:46 PM

it is good to upgrade your battery now so when you want to upgrade your system in the future and you will not have to spend money on a battery because you will already have one made to handle system.

Afugy · 06-21-2011, 06:18 PM

Ground to the strut tower, also the best spot in the trunk too. If you ground to the front of the car like in the videos posted you are grounding to a piece of metal that is spot welded to the rest of the car. And don't ground to the fender bolts. Everything that EXOcontralto should be taken with a grain of salt.

Watch the video in my sig.

I've had my yellow top for 4 years now, still works like new.

JLw7123 · 06-21-2011, 07:20 PM

well i was just posting some examples you do not have to listen to them. the big three is pretty straight forward.