better MPG on a budget

[raisor87]

I've been installing sound systems since 2005 out of my garage not a whole ton but a few a month. Anyway there is an audio electrical must when running a high output amp or several, and I just did it my my truck and noticed my MPG got considerably better for the money I spent. The only thing you have to do is replace your stock engine and battery grounding wires with some heavy gauge amp wire, as wall as your power wires from battery to alternator and starter while your at it. Basically the thicker wire and better than OEM connections to frame and engine block etc allows the electrical currents produced to flow more freely. I used 1/0 AWG street wires power wire for my project, and just some cheap copper ring connectors. You start at your battery take one wire at a time follow it to its final connection and replicate it using your new heavier wire, I usually go about 2" over the stock size if possible to allow the wire to flex. You can crimp your wires and connectors, or do it professional and solder them together simply with some flux, 60/40 leaded solder and a simple torch kit. I noticed about a 4 MPG improvement on my 98 350 vortec

[GMC era]

So you made your own ground wire system. Cool. I've been wanting to do that. Many of them just add the extra wire along with the current wires.

Got pics?

[retired]

I'm having a hard time believing that. How many tanks of gas have you ran through to come up with 4 mpg?

[ct9a]

I've heard of mods along this line with the imports. The tout better MPG, better throttle response, etc. all due to better grounding and higher flow of current through key cables.

At the same time, I've always been kind of skeptical, but in today's economy if it's possible, it's worth a shot. How many tanks have you gone through with this? Also, can you load pics?

[raisor87]

calculation came from trip from cincinnati to indianapolis I will load some pics soon as I get my camera back in a next friday

[retired]

Still not believing it. You could have just gotten to good tank of gas. And here is my case in point. I rode my Harley from Pennsylvania to South Dakota, on average I get 175 miles per tank (5 gal). So I was filling up every 3 to 4 hours, now sometimes I'd put in 4.75 gals and sometimes I'd put in 4 gals. I'm just saying one tank of gas doesn't equal a 4mpg increase.

[raisor87]

dont know I always use shell 93 octane I have to make this trip to indy each month so I know a very close average of how much gas I use I will keep you guys posted with future fill ups but the better grounding allows electrical components to their highest effeciency just like keeping your furnace clean at home

[apinechevy]

wow thats pretty cool how noticeable was the difference??

[apinechevy]

also do you have any pics of the install

[raisor87]

no difference as far as power that I can tell, but my headlights don't dim with my system turned up any more pics will be up this friday

[ct9a]

Cool, can't wait for the pics. I can't see any downside of doing this mod.

[raisor87]

Oh since I said this was a budget thing I guess I should tell you guys it only cost about $35 in materials to do and around an hour and a half because I soldered all of the ends on and sanded my grounding surfaces to clean metal

[MWright936]

I'm intrigued and anxious to hear more updates on your mpg and the pics!

[vncj96]

This is very interesting, I can believe you can get better MPG with better electrical flow, but 4mpg that would be awesome and well worth it! I hope some others do this and give us similiar findings!

[sheep]

i might just do this to my car since the sound system out of my truck went into my car and on CD since the music is so much louder all my lights dim when its turned up, if it does or doesnt improve the MPG thats just a bonus, but to me it makes sense, guess i can give it a try, couldnt hurt to replace those wires anyway, and maybe relocate the batteries while im at it

[EKperformance]

i see the reasoning behind this , because it may reduce strain on the alternator and have some kind of an effect like under drive pullies. but if someone already had a correctly working electrical system i dont see a benifit. i have two 12's in my truck with a 920 watt amp and my headlights do not dim at all. but i guess it wont hurt anything either, i want to do this so i will go thru 2 full tanks first, then 2 fulll tanks after and we will se if it helped. also to the poster of this thread, why do you use 93 octane, GM designed your motor to run on 87? i thought higher test helped till i did a comparison, 87 works way better in my truck, i have a 4.3 wich is mechanicaly the same as your 350, assuming your is all stock

[goodie]

This modification is done a lot in the car audio world and is known as part of the "Big 3" beacuase there are 3 main wires you can replace to increase the electric flow.

this gives you a good tutorial on how and which ones to replace:
http://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?TID=73496&PN=1

for cheap wire that is good quality check out:
http://www.knukonceptz.com/

i have used this wire and done this upgrade on my old 95' 2dr yukon and it really helped to keep my voltage constant especially with my system.

[2004Silverado]

I am inclined to agree with those thinking that 4mpg is just to big of an increase for this mod. I am new to the forum but not new to vehicles. My best guess is that you likely fixed a problem you had without knowing it.

You mention cleaning the connections, just how dirty and corroded were they?

I have seen jumps of that magnitude when you replace a battery, battery terminal, bad wire, or clean up extremely dirty connectors on a battery. You would be amazed at how much current is wasted by a corroded battery terminal.

It should have been enough time to know if your increase was a fluke or not, which was it.

Also a little tip to keep that corrosion at bay, coat all the terminals in Vaseline during assembly, it keeps the terminals from oxidizing with the air. Don't goop it on, just evenly coat them all after cleaning any oxidation off of them.

[mjalstad]

Anybody else have any evidence of this actually working. I just don't believe that reducing alternator strain would give you 4 mpg. I bet if you completely removed your serpentine belt you wouldn't even gain 4mpg.

[Flashvan]

Hello All,

I have never tried that. But, I have been using 100% pure Acetone in my fuel for about 12k miles in my 99 Express van 3500 5.7 engine. I get about 4 to 5 mpg more. My truck runs better, burns cleaner and no problems. I add just 1 oz to each 5 gallons of fuel. It fights the ethanol that steals my fuel mileage. It works for me.:great:



Joe Flash

[ippielb]

This is really really interesting, if there gets more solid proof and more people do it. I might try this myself.

[ridnrimz]

hmmm... so what's the update? have you kept track of gas mileage since?

[FireRed]

Curiosity got the best of me reading this post, I Googled better mileage through 12 volt grounding and came up with the link below.

http://www.nolimitmotorsport.com/hyperground/

[kukini808]

if you haven't heard of this...you could also look at the12volt.com it should have all the answers your looking for

[usetaboost]

So what's the verdict on this?

[iPublicEnemy47]

So what's the verdict on this?
Ya im Curios too...

PS. Im scared of messing up my truck can I take it to a shop and get this done? :glasses:

[Crawdaddy]

I'm calling BS on that Hyperground stuff. All you need is your stereotypical copper welding wire-type wire. Adding grounds may not help anything in terms of increasing MPG and power, but it's a VERY good idea if you're putting more power-hungry toys in the truck.

[usetaboost]

I know adding grounds helps on some cars as far as idle quality. No one else has tried this yet????

[TroyT]

makes sense, a few years ago i put a full out MBQuart audio system in my 92/Eldorado. i noticed the ground from battery to frame was a tiny little wire so i cut a 6 in piece of heavy gauge ground wire and crimped it on. the car did seam to run a little better, but it could be do to the yellow top optima i put in. you should always make sure you have good wiring any way if your upping the electirc current of the car, amps capacitors,

[2ToNe04]

idk might work.

ive seen something about this on the speedchannel.

[jsegs02]

it would be really nice to get some pics of this project, the alleged benefits would far outweigh the hour of labor and 30-40 dollar investment.

[usetaboost]

No one else has yet to post their results? Has anyone else tried it yet??? If it works I'll be taking a break from the TR so I have an excuse to get dirty witht the truck:party:

[bob13]

Great Post!

[kjb13]

My guess is, Raisor87 ran out of gas, his wiring shorted out and he hasn't gotten back home yet to respond to this thread.

[4shongo]

I have done this on 3 of my vehicles. Can't say I gained any HP/MPG but the volt gauge is more steady during bass notes and there is less flickering of the headlights. It is worth the time, especially if you have a system. Go for it!!!!

[agerangere5]

i found this and wondering if the guy actually improved his gas mileage as stated? just wondering it seems as if he vanished. guess it wasnt all it cracked up to be

[Snyder729]

I did this on my 89 honda prelude back when i had it and it increased my mileage a bit i noticed like 10 more miles a tank. and plus if done right its a great apperance for ur motor bay too.