924Board.org

Wiz-PORSCHE-924 · Joined: 06 Nov 2002 Posts: 214 Location: Douglassville PA

I want to buy the 924 Ground kit from performance products. But I wanted to ask you guys if it is any good. Does it work ? What are its advantages ?

dpw928 · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 1860 Location: owasso, ok 74055

Wiz,

I bought the ground kit from Performance 8 or 9 years ago for my 80. All it included was a short negative battery cable, a 15" long grounding strap and no instructions. I would have been better off buying them from the local auto parts store and saved the freight and half the purchase price.

Dennis
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81 931 5 sp
78 928 5 sp Silver
78 928 AT Euro Black

CBass · Joined: 03 Nov 2002 Posts: 2807 Location: Vancouver, Canada

You'd probably be better off making your own grounds, it's not hard. Lugs are cheap, and so is wire. To attach the ends, there are solder on, the best kind, and crimping lugs, which just need to be hammered.

Cut everything to the length you need, put on the ends, and you're good to go.

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'81 931 in various states of assembly

Smoothie · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2004 2:21 am Post subject:

Absitively. You can get a 4 or 5 foot length of 4 or 2 gauge wire (I used 4 gauge) and cut to the lengths you need and add connectors. I squished mine on with a vise.
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"..it's made in Germany. You know the Germans always make good stuff."

'82 924T, US version, dark green metallic, 5 speed Audi 016G gearbox

kidporsche · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2004 9:33 am Post subject:

Lizard · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2004 9:50 am Post subject:

a soldered joint is better when done properly,
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3 928s,

CBass · Joined: 03 Nov 2002 Posts: 2807 Location: Vancouver, Canada

you won't have any problems with a soldered heavy guage wire coming out of a lug because of vibration. Extreme heat, sure, but not vibration. The soldered connection is much more conductive, and is not prone to corrosion.

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'81 931 in various states of assembly

numbbers · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2004 10:44 am Post subject:

Well guys, having been an electronics tech in a past life, I recommend soldering over crimping every time. That is not to say that I don't use crimping on low voltage, low current applications, because sometimes it is easier than getting out the soldering gun, or torch. But for new grounds, I always solder. The cheapest way is to buy preformed battery cables in the length you need. Replace the ground strap running from the negative terminal of your battery to the firewall with an insulated battery cable, as the strap is almost always corroded. Then run an additional insulated cable from the firewall connection to the engine block or head. Buy the additional cable with two spade type connectors, rather than the battery post connector. Any good parts house will stock what you need, and total price for both cables will probably not exceed $10.00 US.
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1980 924 Turbo

CBass · Joined: 03 Nov 2002 Posts: 2807 Location: Vancouver, Canada

Numbbers, what guage of wire do you think is best for running the grounds? I figure AWG 4 should be heavy enough, but not so large as to cause voltage loss.
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'81 931 in various states of assembly

Lizard · Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2004 1:25 am Post subject:

hey Cbass a larger wire will NOT cause a loss in voltage, actually the larger the better,
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3 928s,

kidporsche · Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2004 11:27 am Post subject:

I have always been taught to crimp. numbbers, an electronics tech for what application? CBass why would crimping be more prone to corrosion?
I have built formula style racers and worked for companies in the machine tool industries, in both situations electrical failures have very costly results, and I have always been advised to crimp. Sure, in this situation it really doesn't matter, but I find the advice to solder surprising given what I have been taught in the past.
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Chris
1981 924 - RoW (Australian) spec

dpw928 · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 1860 Location: owasso, ok 74055

Chris,

Corrosion is caused by the presence of oxygen and water. Soldering seals the contact points from both elements where crimping does not. On race cars where the components aren't expected to have a long service life, crimping is faster, lighter and makes sense.

Dennis
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81 931 5 sp
78 928 5 sp Silver
78 928 AT Euro Black

Joes924Racer · Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2004 12:10 pm Post subject:

I solder any splices and crimp alot.. DOH
I thought maybe he meant ground effects kit.
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1979 porsche 924 Na
1980 porsche Turbo 931GT Replica
Have u ever driven a turbo.

CBass · Joined: 03 Nov 2002 Posts: 2807 Location: Vancouver, Canada

Smoothie · Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2004 8:21 am Post subject:

You seem pretty sure about that, Cbass. I never heard of it.
_________________
"..it's made in Germany. You know the Germans always make good stuff."

'82 924T, US version, dark green metallic, 5 speed Audi 016G gearbox