Grounding kits
 

I'm not sure this is the exact place to put this, but I'm also not sure where else it would go. If this needs moving, just let me know.

Anyway, I was hoping someone could explain to me what grounding kits are for an engine and what they're used for. They don't seem to be terribly expensive and they don't seem to include much more than a few wires. I know next to nothing about the electronics of cars (willing to learn, as always), but would like to know what the real world impact of this modification is.

Knowing that I don't track my car at all, would this mod be something I would notice at all? What are the benefits here?

This explains the benefits.
STILLEN : STILLEN Grounding Kit
or
Installing Grounding Kit ensures that sensors and computers are not affected by power surges that can drain performance. This ensures that all wire diameters are optimal for amperage and current travel distance.

So they don't really have any impact on performance per se, but rather just protect the car's electronics and ensure that the wire's aren't a bottleneck for signals?

Basically, what I'm asking is this: if I didn't know car A had a grounding kit, how would I tell it apart from car B which didn't?

You can't.
It's more of an insurance in case of bad grounding. It won't hurt

I've seen amazing results with a grounding kit on my other custom turbo car with a high output ignition. Mainly because the stock grounding setup wasn't sufficient to support that much ignition energy.

For our cars, it's not worth it until the stock electrical system starts to degrade.

I'll tell you what, though. I'm going to pull the grounding kit off my other car, install it on the Z... not tell my wife, and if she notices better shifting on the 7AT, I'll know it was worth it.

Let me know how that goes. I've got a 7AT as well.


I'll probably just let it alone then...

It may be subjective, but I noticed a better shift response after installing the Stillen grd. kit. Everybody tells me that's crap,....but........... I know my car.

That's crap.

He has an automatic.

The entire transmission is controlled by electrical solenoids. How is it crap that a better ground to the transmission could result in more precise shift control?

I was joking.

Can you be a little more specific? Are the shifts faster, more solid, etc... Just curious.

Smoother shifting on my AT, and reduced lag.
No additional power, however.

I noticed you also have a UD Pulley did you install this at the same time as the Grounding Kit? And what are your impression of the UD Pulley do the amps still look good.

I am interested in better throttle and shift response and would think both of these mods would help in that area. The only thing that worries me is the Pulley install looks to be tricky ie the installer could 'F' something up if he beats on the car too much getting the stock pulley off and the UD on.

UD was a couple months later. No issues with the install. Took the shop about an hour 'n a half. No noticeable difference with any of the charging systems. The pulley is only 20%, so wouldn't anticipate any problems. I also use the Gates belt. It's much better quality than stock, and as I recall, Stillen threw it in.
Performance wise, the UD pulley is great bang for your buck.

Threadjacking myself to turn this to pulleys...

What differences did you notice with the Stillen pulley? This is another mod that I'm not sure how much of an impact I would notice.