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Posted by: bandjoey Mar 3 2011, 04:48 PM

I read online where some car builders replaced the battery to starter lead wire with a larger size wire, to improve starting power.

Anyone do this? Worthwhile? What size wire, if so? Thanks

Posted by: ventedrib Mar 3 2011, 04:59 PM

QUOTE(bandjoey @ Mar 3 2011, 04:48 PM)

Posted by: jsayre914 Mar 3 2011, 05:21 PM

I just replaced mine recently with a 0guage power and a 0guage ground to the bottom bolt. It cranks noticabley faster. Not sure if it was the ground or power or both.

But I like POWER FLOW

Posted by: Andyrew Mar 3 2011, 05:34 PM

I've always given the starter a better ground with a THICK body to ground wire. Always gives stronger cranking.

Posted by: 914.SBC Mar 3 2011, 05:36 PM

QUOTE(Andyrew @ Mar 3 2011, 03:34 PM)

Posted by: Drums66 Mar 3 2011, 05:40 PM

QUOTE(ventedrib @ Mar 3 2011, 02:59 PM)

QUOTE(bandjoey @ Mar 3 2011, 04:48 PM)

I read online where some car builders replaced the battery to starter lead wire with a larger size wire, to improve starting power.

Anyone do this? Worthwhile? What size wire, if so? Thanks

With proper ground stock wire size should be fine.

Posted by: Cap'n Krusty Mar 3 2011, 05:58 PM

It's essentially true, but 914s already have a pretty substantial cable, and I've never seen any reason to go bigger. Besides their size, they're of good quality, something the FLAPS cables are not. Welding cable might be better, but then you have to deal with properly installing high quality ends in order to gain any benefit. If the ends don't fit the connectors properly, and they're not crimped to the cable properly, you've just wasted your money.

The Cap'n

Posted by: McMark Mar 3 2011, 06:53 PM

Gotta wonder how many people who hear a benefit are just noticing a nice new cable with clean connections. Or how many starters are worn out and pulling extra amperage just to spin. A worn out starter that's taking 2x as much power, would benefit from bigger cables. But the cables aren't really the problem, the starter is.


This is one of those situations where it was someone's job at Porsche to decide what size cable the battery needed. If you are having a problem with the cranking speed it's either a worn out starter, dirty connetions, or bad cables/ends.

Posted by: kg6dxn Mar 3 2011, 09:12 PM

The Ohms law answer is yes, a larger cable will flow more current due to less resistance in the larger cable. Kirchoff's law also applies; If your cable drops 2 volts, you starter will only receive 10 volts under load. Voltage drop can ONLY be measured under load. With no load, the starter voltage will be 12 volts.

The real problem is corrosion. As the existing wires age, they develope corrosion and resist current flow. That causes poor starting conditions and other problems. Battery cables corrode faster than any other wire in your car. Even if they look good, they may be bad. If they are over 10 years old, change them.