Upgrade Wiring

[hoyota]

So I'm looking to upgrade "The Big Three" wires under the hood (alt. to battery, battery to ground, and alt to ground) but I have a few questions.

How big of wire should I use? Do I need to use 1/0 Gauge, especially if i have an audio system using 2ga wire?

And how big of a fuse will I need between the alternator and the battery?

Thanks if anyone has answers.

[cykaaro]

If memory serves, I believe there's a thread somewhere on TN about doing this.

[xet]

there is in the audio section but really wiring is up to you. bigger is always better but go by your budget and what you are comfortable working with.

how much power are you running to your audio??

[hoyota]

Originally Posted by xet

there is in the audio section but really wiring is up to you. bigger is always better but go by your budget and what you are comfortable working with.

how much power are you running to your audio??

I found the thread describing how to do this, but it didn't mention what size wire would be adequate, it only mentioned 1/0, and thats really huge.

I would be running up to 100 amps to the audio system, and that needs some big cable too.

[groovemasterodi]

100 amps? @_@

I need to do this too to my baby, the Duralast and stock wiring aint cutting it.

[xet]

well most people do at least 4 gauge, if you are running 2 all around i would at least use 2

[hoyota]

well i mean the fuses would be rated at over 100 amps, probably not the actual continuous power consumption. That would be crazy.

[groovemasterodi]

I see this now, i was a tad blazed.

[ASG14]

Why the hell do you need to upgrade the OEM wires? There is no need. Save your money and invest it in a mod they you can use more.

Also, your burn out your Alternator before you burn out your wires, so I'd upgrade the Alt.

[groovemasterodi]

This is what must be done, there is so much wishy washy info on this subject, I needed a good telling

[xet]

ive never heard that argument that adam used. from everything ive seen the big 3 is the easiest, cheapest, and first mod to do when upgrading an audio system. it isnt replacing original wiring if thats what you meant, it is simply adding additional wiring to help deliver and recycle the extra power.

i dont know how much power you are sending but if you are sending a lot a HO alternator should be on your list as well. I believe the highlander one or something close fits the camry

[touringcamry]

He's got the 5S so the HIghlander alternator isn't going to work. Pretty much it's going to be a custom built alternator to generate the current he needs.

[Black95Cam]

Originally Posted by touringcamry

He's got the 5S so the HIghlander alternator isn't going to work. Pretty much it's going to be a custom built alternator to generate the current he needs.

i am still lost about what year highlander i should look for when at the junk yard.. yeah i know to look for the one with the 1mz but does any 1mz highlander alt will fit? just want to clarify before i go out and ripp one out...


but yeah a custom alt will make your wallet a bit much lighter then you would expect.

[touringcamry]

Originally Posted by Black95Cam

i am still lost about what year highlander i should look for when at the junk yard.. yeah i know to look for the one with the 1mz but does any 1mz highlander alt will fit? just want to clarify before i go out and ripp one out...


but yeah a custom alt will make your wallet a bit much lighter then you would expect.

I doubt the 1MZ alternator will fit directly on your 5S. You can try to find a Sienna or Highlander with tow package. I *think* they have upgraded transmissions coolers also, so that might be one indicator of a tow package.

[groovemasterodi]

I've looked into the search for a HO alternator, for those with my Camry, http://www.mralternator.com/main.shtml seems to be about all I can find, and have heard good things from them.