First off, I did a search for "big 3" and "big three" in this section and the forum search came up with zero (for both recent and archived topics, and titles/post bodies as well). I know this has been covered many times, but I tried to dig up the info and the search wouldn't let me do it... so here goes again...

Does anyone have a write-up or general tips on doing the big 3 upgrade? Any recommendations on what gauge wire to use for each of the 3 runs? Any recommendations on brand of wire or where to get it?

I know my local audio shops carry all sizes of power wire, but they generally only carry Monster wire which as you know is ridiculously priced per foot. If this is what the Vette needs for the big 3 I'll be happy to spend the money but I am thinking that the battery, alternator, and engine will not know the difference :D

Thanks in advance

 

I have a question about the big three also. I have seen photos of what needs to be done, but I would like to know how to do it. Those wires seem difficult to reach. Will I need a lift to get under the car or do I need to have a mechanic do this for me ?

 

From what I've seen, this can all be done on Rhino ramps. Of course a lift always makes things a little easier but I think it's overkill for this project.

 

Diynoob......Monster cable is good product but there is plenty of other product available that is more cost effective. What you want to look for is "strand count" of the wire. That means how many strands are actually in the wire to make the cable. The more strands the better. I personally use Stinger wire for all my stuff. The product is excellent and very reasonably priced.
Now as far as the upgrade. Alot of people just add to the existing wire that is there from the factory. This works very well and you can add 8ga instead of removing the wire and using 4 ga or 0 ga like I did. Ofcourse you can use larger wire if you wanted to but 8ga will keep the cost down and combined with the factory wire work very well. That is for the alternator to battery. On the ground side the C5 from factory has a 10ga from terminal to frame and around a 6ga going to the block from the battery. I highly recommend you upgrade the 10ga to a 4ga to the frame. It is very easy to replace the factory ground wires completley. You will need to lift the front of the vechicle and go underneath to get at the engine block ground. It is up a little on the passenger side. Behind your exhaust manifolds. It is not all that hard to get at, I did mine with out removing the anything.
Hope this helps.

Diynoob.....are you going to the Venice lunch gettogether this Sunday? There is a thread about it in the Southeast events section

 

Hey EatRice,

Thanks for the response. I'll look into that wire you mentioned -- almost anything is more cost effective than Monster! Are there any other components I need to look for, like crimp-on rings for the wire? I used some of these when I ran my audio power, but I haven't even looked at the big 3 yet. I think I will want to run a single run instead of adding on 8ga to existing wiring -- the engine compartment is cluttered enough ;-)

The Venice gettogether sounds pretty cool, I might just make it, it's only about an hour from where I live. Are you going to be there? Maybe I can get a look at your upgraded wire.

 

Diynoob.......yes I am planning on attending. Sure you can check out my setup. Here is a pic of what I ran from my alternator to the battery.



Another angle.



I stock stinger wire. I have 0ga gray and black (expert series) and 4ga gray. I am currently out of 4ga black. If you are going I can bring some with. Yes you will need a ring terminal for the grounds and for the alternator. Also battery terminals

 

Very cool, thanks. I am 98% sure I am going, so I just posted a message in the Venice thread about where to meet the other Fort Myers/Naples people. How much wire of each gauge do you need for this project? Looks like I can order Stinger wire from SoundDomain -- Crutchfield probably has it also.

PS, nice Procharger setup. Is that the D1 or P1? I have a D1 on my car and have been spending the last several months tuning and tweaking it. Just put on a Vortech race valve which is so much better than the stock ATI valve.

 

That is a P1 but it is coming out and I am replacing it with one of A & A Corvette's set ups. Along with heads, cam , and a laundry list of other goodies. I will try to figure out the length of the wire for you. I will also give you a price. Try to find a price per foot on the net and I should be able to beat it along with no shipping.

 

Hey EatRice, did you do this yourself and how difficult was it ? I am not able to lift my car (in NYC) so I can't access it from underneath. What do you suggest I do ?

 

Yes I did the entire thing myself. It was not all that hard. I am only amble to lift my car with a floor jack at home. My car is setup to the extreme end of a big 3 upgrade so it took me about 8 hous do it. But I could do it in 2 or 3 and still have very clean and reliable results. The only thing you need to get under the car for is the engine block ground. Everything else can acessed from the battery compartment. I removed the battery tray (4 bolts inside the center hole in the tray) and I removed the battery compartment shroud ( two push plugs and a tab. Then you will have all the room you need. Later today I will try to post up some of the other pics of it.

 

Sounds good -- I'm going to get the A&A retrofit kit too. I already have the D1 so I just need the dual intercooler to single intercooler kit.

Here's the URL to SoundDomain's price list for Stinger audio wire: http://www.sounddomain.com/shoplist~...~t~Power+Wires

Let me know what you can do on pricing. I'll also shop around locally to check what the audio shops have.

Thanks! :cheers:

 

This is what I use in my car.

http://www.stingerelectronics.com/we...power_wire.asp

 

diynoob
Sorry for the delayed response, I just happened to wonder across your post. I post the following in the C5 Tech Tips section to help other wanting to do the Big 3 Upgrade.

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

BTW - I would like to talk to you about the Defi Fuel/Boost gauge install. Specificly where did you pick up the vacuum from and where did you pick up illunination. I posed a couple of options, but not sure if they will work @ http://www.tigersharkcorvette.com/ma...orum=index.php under ideas for picking up illumunation on a C5

Thx
2k1vert :cheers: