I am going to be installing a new stereo in my 04 Z06 in the next week or two. I keep reading on here that it is a good idea to upgrade "the big 3" wires. Supposedly there is a how-to on this forum. I have searched for a few hours now and can't really find anything that goes into detail on how to upgrade these wires. Does anybody have a link to some detailed information or can anybody give me some?? Thanks,

 

It's in the C5 Tech Tips

https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...=245&TopicID=1

 

Thanks!!!

Only problem is all the pictures show up as little red X's

 

Not to get into the wire size debate again, but note that some of us believe that 0 or 1 gauge wire is vast overkill, unless you 1) want it to look a certain way, for show and/or 2) you want to compete at very high volume levels or 3) you are installing a 440V isolation transformer in your garage to start up a welding business.

If like most people you just want great sound and the ability to crank it up for the your favorite tune, 10 or 8 gauge power wire to the battery terminal is fine.

 

Although I always use 4-guage. You know...just in case.

 

here is a handy chart

Power Wiring

Even though amplifiers are easy to install, a lot of things could go wrong. The most important thing to consider is where to get the power from: Straight from the battery. ALWAYS put a fuse as close to the positive battery terminal as possible. If the wire going to the back of the car shorts out, then the fuse will blow. If you don't install a fuse or breaker and the wire shorts out, then the wire will carry so much current that the insulation will melt and could catch your car on fire. The size of the fuse should be the same rating as the fuses used by the amp(s) or less. The ground (-) should be hooked-up to a metal part of the car. It is not necessary to run a ground wire all the way to the battery.

It is not essential to spend a lot of money in getting 99.999999% copper 0-gage wire and gold connectors unless you are installing a competition system. Here's a table to help decide what gauge wire to use, based on total current draw and length of wire:

Power Cable Calculator
Total Amperage
Draw of System Up to 4 ft. 4 to 7 ft. 7 to 10 ft. 10 to 13 ft. 13 to 16 ft. 16 to 22 ft. 22 to 28 ft.
0 - 20 14 12 12 10 10 8 8
20 - 35 12 10 8 8 6 6 4
35 - 50 10 8 8 6 4 4 4
50 - 65 8 8 6 4 4 4 2
65 - 85 6 6 4 4 2 2 0
85 - 105 6 6 4 2 2 2 0
105 - 125 4 4 4 2 0 0 0
125 - 150 2 2 2 0 0 0 00
The above chart shows wire gauges to be used if no less than a .5 volt drop is accepted.
Cable size calculation takes into account terminal connection resistance.

well that sux, the chart got compacted.
still, you can make out what you need.
IE. my system can draw up to 200 amps with approx a 13 foot length wire. Using the last line 125-150 at 13-16 ft equals 0-guage wire. Of coarse the system NEVER draws 200 amps and would be lucky to ever hit that on peaks but having to large of wire doesn't hurt....well I guess it hurts the wallet. Especailly when you get bigger than 4 guage

 

Sort of a late reply, but better late than never. When Corvette forum upgraded the website, the pictures seemed to have been lost...

I was never really too fond of running that much wire around the front of the engine and when I relocated my Alternator to the passenger side of the car, it made alll the wire runs very short.