BIG 3 Write Up W/Photos

joshuaeb09 · Post by **joshuaeb09** » Wed Mar 16, 2011 9:02 am

How I did the BIG 3 in my 2009 Vibe.As promised here is a quick write up. I used approx 14ft of 0/1GA and some short pieces of 4GA. I didn't take any measurements. I pretty much would test run a piece and mark where to cut and terminate with a sharpie. All areas where grounds were added/upgraded were cleaned with a dremel to insure good metal to metal contact. And yes I know all of this is cheap wire so its probably about 1 - 2 sizes smaller than advertised but I got it on the cheap spent less than 40 bucks on this whole install. The Alternator - I ran 2 runs of 0/1 GA here one to +Batt and the other to the factory Batt ground point. I also ran a short jumper of 4 GA from Alt - to the factory Block ground. Here you can see the path I routed the wires I suggest taking off the radiator fan brackets to get the wire to run neatly through that space. Also you can see the fuse holder I used for my 150 AMP fuse to Batt+. Here you can see the positive terminal. Yes I decided to keep the factory terminal was the cheapest option. Here you can see negative terminal. Its already 2GA(replaced factory cable when I got the new Batt) so I just added a short run of 4GA to it. Factory Batt Ground point where all new grounds were ran to I also ran a short 0/1 GA from the factory Batt ground point to the rail the runs under the battery tray. Wasn't able to get pictures of that but if you take your battery out and the plastic tray out you'll see it under the bracket. It really made a noticeable difference with interior light dimming as well as how fast the car tuns over. I have 14.0 V at idle up from 13.2 and about 14.4 at 3000 RPMs up from 14.0.

Water boy · Post by **Water boy** » Wed Mar 16, 2011 9:29 am

Google Big 3There are lots of write ups out there.Using 0/1 is a bit large for such a small electrical system.2 or 4 should be good.No immediate plans to do my '08 yet.I've done everything else I've owned.Basically....Batt + > fuse > Alt +Batt - > frameFrame > engineSome people will also....Batt - > engineWhile the hood is up and the tools are out.My 5 cents worth. (I'm old and experienced)

dayday · Post by **dayday** » Wed Mar 16, 2011 10:24 am

It would be nice to see an '09+ specific write-up and photos. Not sure how much difference there is though since I've never looked under the hood of the earlier gen vibes. I will be doing mine very soon also to complement the new audio goodies.

silverbullet · Post by **silverbullet** » Wed Mar 16, 2011 12:07 pm

had to google this to verify i knew what we were talking about. never heard the term until now. ill be interested in a write up. even if the 09 is different i still may be able to learn something from it. this might be in my vibe's near future as well

joshuaeb09 · Post by **joshuaeb09** » Wed Mar 16, 2011 2:52 pm

Yea if you guys want I will take pics of the process in my 09. And yea water boy I know exactly how to do the big three I just hadn't seen any vibe specific write ups with pics and I was wondering if the community would like me to do one.Also I'm using some cheap 0/1 so its probably more like 2 gauge but it was pretty cheap thats why I'm using it.

jayman2009 · Post by **jayman2009** » Thu Mar 17, 2011 12:06 pm

Wish i took pics when i did a little bigger then 0/1 in my 2003 vibe. the wire is like a a bit bigger then a inch. i had to drill a hole in my firewall to run it to my amp and back battery as im running dual bats most times. Ran along the drive side under the plastic panles where the carpet is fine. i ran 4 gage to my alt tho tell i upgrade it. I will say do upgrade the grounds some people dont. Both to the block and body

joshuaeb09 · Post by **joshuaeb09** » Thu Mar 17, 2011 1:28 pm

Yea I already replaced the Batt - Cable with 2GA when i replaced my batt. But I'm ganna do Alt+ to Batt +, Batt Ground Point to Alt Bracket, Batt ground point to Frame, Block to Ground. For now I used an old piece of battery cable that had ring terminals on it to go from Alt Bracket to Batt - and it made a significant diff. Cant wait for my 0/1 to come in.When I write everything up with the pics I'll go ahead and just put it into the first post of this thread. Should be some time soon might have to wait until after I take my CCNA on Monday tho.

joshuaeb09 · Post by **joshuaeb09** » Sun Mar 20, 2011 7:59 am

Completed my big 3 install the other day. I needed something to take my mind of CCNA prep. I do have to say it made a pretty significant difference and Ill be putting up my writeup w/ PIC's after I take the CCNA exam tomorrow morning.

joshuaeb09 · Post by **joshuaeb09** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 9:47 am

Bump - Today I passed my CCNA and as promised my little write up is complete with pics.

BIG 3 Write Up W/Photos

BIG 3 Write Up W/Photos

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