"The Big Three" Electrical Upgrade

[James Bentley]

I'm really trying to help.

That's why I joined and pay to be here.
To learn and contribute where I can.
This is a great site and forum and "head-and-shoulders" above anything on Facebook.

I'm assuming that both ends of the OE ground "end" in a M6 bolt connection (eyelet on the wire).
The firewall side is evident (I'm assuming the other end is the same).

What I can't see from your pictures is the intake plenum termination on your rig for that OE ground cable.

Where does it terminate?

My '04 LX is all metal and was an easy upgrade.

I hope your frustrations are resolved and you can use the kit you bought to accomplish your goals.

I wish you the best...always happy to help

 

[GTV]

Ha

What I can't see from your pictures is the intake plenum termination on your rig for that OE ground cable.

Where does it terminate?

Great question. It goes directly into the wiring loom and disappears. I assume it comes back out on the passenger side and secures to the hook but I haven't run a continuity test to confirm. On VVTi engines there is nothing conductive within reach of the cable that @BnvS provides so I'm waiting on a response from him.

 

[2005BlackBeauty]

I’ve wanted to do the big 3, but have yet to find a kit / ‘install for dummies’ instruction. I am dummy.

 

[BnvS]

I’ve wanted to do the big 3, but have yet to find a kit / ‘install for dummies’ instruction. I am dummy.

Here are instructions from my Kit. It should be similar to most other installations. 4x4 Bazaar - LC/LX Big 3 Ground Wiring Installation Instructions - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Od8mTxcE86LwUkhP5zCZEmPlReuYYEuy7oZFM0K0v8M/edit?usp=drive_link

 

[GTV]

as if by magic, this is where it ends. passenger side hook.

View attachment 2486049

Combing back through this thread and I find that my guess about the factory firewall to engine ground was correct.

The valve cover bolt would theoretically work as a ground if the cable is long enough but IMO that risks leaks and the ugly possibility of the valve cover bolt snapping off.

I see no better solution than factory, that is the hook on the passenger side.

 

[Mike NXP]

Combing back through this thread and I find that my guess about the factory firewall to engine ground was correct.

The valve cover bolt would theoretically work as a ground if the cable is long enough but IMO that risks leaks and the ugly possibility of the valve cover bolt snapping off.

I see no better solution than factory, that is the hook on the passenger side.

Seems like this kit for folks with plastic intake should just include a longer cable to reach what you need....Unless I am misunderstanding it seems like the short cable that came with your kit doesn't really have any good grounds within reach

 

[GTV]

Seems like this kit for folks with plastic intake should just include a longer cable to reach what you need....Unless I am misunderstanding it seems like the short cable that came with your kit doesn't really have any good grounds within reach

I would have to agree 100%.
If anyone else with VVti has successfully used a kit from @BnvS I would love to hear about it. Far as I can tell it only works on 98-05.

 

[2001LC]

Seems one could bolt ground to back of head. Which BK1 has bracket held by 10mm bolt as does BK2.

BK1 10mm bolts hold bracket for breathers, A/F sensor wire housing hanger and ground wires. Remove bolt and then get one longer, by thickness of new ground wire lug.

Pictures from The Unicorn's (overheated) factory installed 4.7L 2UZ-fe VVti engine

 

[GTV]

Seems one could bolt ground to back of head. Which BK1 has bracket held by 10mm bolt as does BK2.

BK1 10mm bolts hold bracket for breathers, A/F sensor wire housing hanger and ground wires. Remove bolt and then get one longer, by thickness of new ground wire lug.

Pictures from The Unicorn's (overheated) factory installed 4.7L 2UZ-fe VVti engine
View attachment 3874675

View attachment 3874674

That does look like a possibility if the cable is long enough, mine definitely wasn't. A bit tricky to access with the engine in though.

@BnvS has agreed to send me a longer cable that will secure to the factory hook on the passenger side. I believe that is the best way for 06-07.

 

[GTV]

@BnvS set me up with a longer firewall to engine ground cable. The bolt on the hook side could stand to be a little longer so I will be swapping that out. To you VVTi guys, make sure you get a longer cable for this ground!