Grounding Kit For V36 (rhd)

[mkn23]

As most of us have experienced some harshness, lag, etc in our shifting of the V36 gearbox, I looked what could alleviate or fix the issue so I found that there were two things that seemed to work the most:

- Tune

- Grounding Kit

I read on the US G37 forums about how these things worked with the electrical signals and everything allowing for smoother and faster shifting, some say it works and some say it doesn't, but for the price point of a grounding kit ~$150 AUD (inc. shipping), it seems much more cost effective than a tune I can't budget for at the moment

Contacting some suppliers in the US, one of them has told me the grounding kit would not fit properly since there's is designed for left-hand drive and the battery is on the opposite side but a custom kit is an option (the guy hasn't replied since). There is a DIY guide on the myG37 forum which I can provide a link to if anyone's interested.

Has anyone tried installing a grounding kit here in Australia? Does it work and is it worth getting?

[camr33]

I have one on my V35 coupe. They are awesome and definitely worth it. It helps with shifting and throttle response.

Anyone who says otherwise has either not tried one, or can't tell night from day.

[mkn23]

I have one on my V35 coupe. They are awesome and definitely worth it. It helps with shifting and throttle response.

Anyone who says otherwise has either not tried one, or can't tell night from day.

did you make it yourself or buy it online?

[camr33]

It actually came on the car from japan. I test drove close to a dozen cars, before settling on one directly from an importer. I drove a few modified ones, but most were stock. Aside from some coilovers, mine is stock as well. That's how I can tell how much of a difference they make.

[camr33]

You may be better off searching for one from Japan. A compliance workshop may be able to source one for you, as they will likely have people in japan available to source parts.

[mkn23]

i'll try my luck, thanks for the info

[Nightcrawler]

I have had or put one on all of my cars .... in my opinion they do not work and have a placebo effect at best - yet I still keep putting them on my cars, as for the very small amount of money if they do anything whatsoever (plus you get some engine bay bling), then they are worth it.

Of note is the fact that Nissan spend hundreds of millions of dollars R&Ding their cars - don't you think if the earthing system was in any way inadequate, they would have fixed it decades ago?!!!

[camr33]

My earthing kit is a genuine nissan one. I'm presuming they don't do it as standard so they can get a few extra bucks out of you at the time of purchase. The car works fine without them, so I presume it would have been a cost cutting measure. Nissan was not in a good financial position in the late 90's/early 2000's.

Edited March 29, 2015 by camr33

[AsM]

i agree when i had my v35 few years ago with the grounding kit and other mates without, to me made a significant amount of difference in acceleration and gear changes...but the v36's are a lot more refined so not sure if it would work the same.....

[sonicii]

in my opinion they do not work and have a placebo effect at best - yet I still keep putting them on my cars, as for the very small amount of money if they do anything whatsoever (plus you get some engine bay bling), then they are worth it.

Of note is the fact that Nissan spend hundreds of millions of dollars R&Ding their cars - don't you think if the earthing system was in any way inadequate, they would have fixed it decades ago?!!!

I am of the same opinion, I have only installed on on one of my cars (J30 maxima), and it made zero difference, despite many on forums saying how much of an improvement it made on their J30 (although probably the people that also said a FSTB reduced bodyroll!).. Personally I feel many install them when their factory grounds are a bit old and corroded, so they do notice a difference, but no more than what they would noticed if they cleaned up their factory grounds. Also, if you connect them in the wrong spots, you can get earth loops and make things worse.

However, if they are connected properly and routed out of the way of moving items, they aren't going to do any harm.. and as you say.. are a bit of 'bling'.

But to be honest.. $150 for $10 of heavy gauge flexible cable and $5 worth of crimp lugs, is crazy!

[Leroy Peterson]

...many install them when their factory grounds are a bit old and corroded, so they do notice a difference, but no more than what they would noticed if they cleaned up their factory grounds.

But to be honest.. $150 for $10 of heavy gauge flexible cable and $5 worth of crimp lugs, is crazy!

I think thats a very good point, and personally, i would rather take the time inspecting and cleaning/sanding earth connections (and possibly replacing any damaged or poor cables) than spend money on a kit that may even have inferior cables and lugs in the kit.

$150 is very easily spent on cables and lugs. Good lugs (insulated or uninsulated) are pricey, same as cables. gauge or area of copper does not reflect quality of metal or manufacturing.

My opinion: if someone is serious about it, get access to a good multimeter or ohmeter (or even a ductor would be best) and measure overall resistance from certain earthing points, all the way to the battery negative (disconnected of course). The biggest weak spot is the connections (surface area, surface material, lug quality and the way it is crimped onto the cable), cable size should have a negligible effect on resistance it is purely for current-carrying capability.

As far as acceptable resistance for a 12V DC system... i cant really give a figure. But say if you measure a few paths and they're <2 ohms, then you find one that is 4-5 ohms, i would look for the weak spot.

[colin.ssc]

I have one from Stillen and it fits fine. Although I wire it differently from what the instructions. I'll take a look later n let you know

[mkn23]

I think thats a very good point, and personally, i would rather take the time inspecting and cleaning/sanding earth connections (and possibly replacing any damaged or poor cables) than spend money on a kit that may even have inferior cables and lugs in the kit.

$150 is very easily spent on cables and lugs. Good lugs (insulated or uninsulated) are pricey, same as cables. gauge or area of copper does not reflect quality of metal or manufacturing.

My opinion: if someone is serious about it, get access to a good multimeter or ohmeter (or even a ductor would be best) and measure overall resistance from certain earthing points, all the way to the battery negative (disconnected of course). The biggest weak spot is the connections (surface area, surface material, lug quality and the way it is crimped onto the cable), cable size should have a negligible effect on resistance it is purely for current-carrying capability.

As far as acceptable resistance for a 12V DC system... i cant really give a figure. But say if you measure a few paths and they're <2 ohms, then you find one that is 4-5 ohms, i would look for the weak spot.

i would...but my technical expertise is taking the front bumper on and off lol

I have one from Stillen and it fits fine. Although I wire it differently from what the instructions. I'll take a look later n let you know

i was thinking of getting the stillen kit from Concept Z Performance, is there an improvement in shift timing with your v36?

[The Max]

Of note is the fact that Nissan spend hundreds of millions of dollars R&Ding their cars - don't you think if the earthing system was in any way inadequate, they would have fixed it decades ago?!!!

Unequivocally true. What people don't realise is that good grounding is important in any low voltage application, particularly where high current is required where greater current results in greater voltage drops across poor resistance (such as for solenoids, actuators, etc) as well as digital electronics, where noise can be catastrophic to the operation of the engine management and surrounding electronics.

I truly believe if the grounding really was subpar, our vehicles would suffer. Just because there's an OEM kit in the market doesn't necessarily mean it's there to resolve an issue. It could very well be that Nissan realised there's a market for such placebo items and it would be remiss of them not to cash in on it too. Why not?

[Nightcrawler]

Interestingly, despite the fact that I have an aftermarket grounding kit, when I wind my windows up and down at the lights my car runs noticeably rougher, then comes back smooth again once the up or down function is finished. Not sure what that is all about.

[sonicii]

Extra load on the electrics result in harder work for your alternator, which in turn loads your engine up more. I find the same thing if I try to wind up all windows at once.

[sonicii]

It could very well be that Nissan realised there's a market for such placebo items and it would be remiss of them not to cash in on it too. Why not?

Indeed.. After all. Nismo make oil filler caps!!

[camr33]

Wow ? now I understand the whole debate about whether they are worthwhile!

I'll put it like this: The factory airbox works fine. But if you put a stillen CAI on there, nobody would question you decision. Just because the stock ground works, it doesn't mean there aren't better options out there.

I swear by mine, but it's crystal clear there are people that think otherwise.

I was going to buy a v36 sedan, and I noticed a lot of lag in the paddle shift, so I can understand the logic of why you are interested in the kit.

Do it mate, and let me know if you are with me, or if you think I should eat my words!

[Nightcrawler]

^^^ Disagree - a Stillen CAI is a waste of time and money - all you need is a high flow panel filter in the stock box imho

And in terms of lag in the paddle shift, the issue is the slushy gearbox - go get a valve body upgrade done and you will be AMAZED at the results.

[camr33]

Haha I actually use a hks filter in the standard box. Apart from a different exhaust note, I'd be buggered if I can tell the difference!

My point is that if all OEM stuff was perfect, there would be no need for aftermarket parts at all.