LT1 swappers quick question about your grounds
11-09-2005, 09:54 AM
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Car: 89 Camaro RS/SS
Engine: LT1
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt with 3.42
LT1 swappers quick question about your grounds
I am coming close to finishing my lt1 swap and have a few questions.
1. Where did you put your battery ground cable on the block?
2. Why do the spark plugs have to be grounded, I know it's because of aluminum heads, but they're grounded to the heads and aluminum doesn't conduct elecricity?
3. Does there need to be a grounding strap between the block and tha chassis, and if so, where did you put it?
I'm asking all these ground questions because I don't want to fry the computer or anything else when i apply battery power to everything and turn the ignition switch, which will be hopefully this weekend. Thanks in advance.
1. Where did you put your battery ground cable on the block?
2. Why do the spark plugs have to be grounded, I know it's because of aluminum heads, but they're grounded to the heads and aluminum doesn't conduct elecricity?
3. Does there need to be a grounding strap between the block and tha chassis, and if so, where did you put it?
I'm asking all these ground questions because I don't want to fry the computer or anything else when i apply battery power to everything and turn the ignition switch, which will be hopefully this weekend. Thanks in advance.
11-09-2005, 10:04 AM
#2
1. my battery ground to the block is on the passenger side of the block, down below, i think behind the header, close to the motor mount
if you need a pic, i can take one
if you need a pic, i can take one
Last edited by Firebat; 11-09-2005 at 10:07 AM.
11-09-2005, 10:44 AM
#3
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Re: LT1 swappers quick question about your grounds
Originally posted by CamaroKid89RS
I am coming close to finishing my lt1 swap and have a few questions.
1. Where did you put your battery ground cable on the block?
2. Why do the spark plugs have to be grounded, I know it's because of aluminum heads, but they're grounded to the heads and aluminum doesn't conduct elecricity?
3. Does there need to be a grounding strap between the block and tha chassis, and if so, where did you put it?
I'm asking all these ground questions because I don't want to fry the computer or anything else when i apply battery power to everything and turn the ignition switch, which will be hopefully this weekend. Thanks in advance.
I am coming close to finishing my lt1 swap and have a few questions.
1. Where did you put your battery ground cable on the block?
2. Why do the spark plugs have to be grounded, I know it's because of aluminum heads, but they're grounded to the heads and aluminum doesn't conduct elecricity?
3. Does there need to be a grounding strap between the block and tha chassis, and if so, where did you put it?
I'm asking all these ground questions because I don't want to fry the computer or anything else when i apply battery power to everything and turn the ignition switch, which will be hopefully this weekend. Thanks in advance.
1. Mine goes to my alternator mount.
2. Um....what?
3. Yes. Mine goes from the ignition coil mount to the driver's side frame rail.
You won't fry the computer if you don't have grounds connected because there won't be a path for electricity to flow, you just won't have parts of the PCM or harness energized.
11-09-2005, 10:47 AM
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Car: 1987 GTA
Engine: LT1
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt 3.70 posi
1. I used the stock cables that came with the LT1 and the ground went on the block around where the knock sensor is at.
2. This is a new one to me, all I did was use the stock LT1 harness and hooked the grounds up, I mean the main ground wires grounds out on the coil, and it is bolted to the head so go figure that one.
3. I used the original ground strap and bolted it to the tranny bolt, then grounded it to the firewall, then I used the ground strap on the coil and grounded it to the fenderwell.
2. This is a new one to me, all I did was use the stock LT1 harness and hooked the grounds up, I mean the main ground wires grounds out on the coil, and it is bolted to the head so go figure that one.
3. I used the original ground strap and bolted it to the tranny bolt, then grounded it to the firewall, then I used the ground strap on the coil and grounded it to the fenderwell.
11-09-2005, 01:32 PM
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Car: 89 Camaro RS/SS
Engine: LT1
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt with 3.42
I didn't get to see any of this stuff when I got the engine, someone else disconnected everything. They had a company called Ron Francis modify the harness so it's not completely stock. What they did was extend all the wires on the harness so that the computer can be put in the trunk along with a fuse block that they made. My spark plug wires have grounding straps on them and they're attached to the heads right above the header bolts, wierd that you guys have never heard of this before. Also I didn't get a ground strap so I wasn't sure if I needed one or not but fiugured I did since my v6 had one, I'll just take that one and find a place to put it. Oh yeah one other thing, my water pump has an outlet for an oil cooler but there are no lines for one, should i just plug this or is there more tendacy of overheating without the cooler?
11-09-2005, 03:17 PM
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Car: 91' Pontiac Firebird
Engine: LT1
Transmission: 4L60E
Do your spark plug wires by chance have a stainless steel braiding covering them? If they do, thats why you have the grund straps. The steel braided cover, when combined with the voltage going through the plug wire, causes electromagnetic interfearance that could possibly fry any electronics you've got. The ground strap on them the prevents the electromagnetic buildup. If that is indead the type of plug wire you have, they MUST be grounded or else...
Last edited by Coach Hawk; 11-09-2005 at 03:20 PM.
11-09-2005, 03:19 PM
#7
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PCM....in the trunk...?
You can just cap the oil cooler outlet on the waterpump.
As far as the spark plug ground straps, never heard of such. Probably some gimmick that was added at one point or another.
*Edit* Thanks for the explanation Coach.
You can just cap the oil cooler outlet on the waterpump.
As far as the spark plug ground straps, never heard of such. Probably some gimmick that was added at one point or another.
*Edit* Thanks for the explanation Coach.
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