Grounding Cylinder Head Test Results (2024 CX-5 Turbo)

[SparkYellow]

I belong to the snake oil camp. While searching for grounding kits, the product reviews reveal positive feedback when installed on a wide range of vehicles. Nothing backed by scientific analysis though, just simple user observations.

 

[N7turbo]

While searching for grounding kits, the product reviews reveal positive feedback when installed on a wide range of vehicles. Nothing backed by scientific analysis though, just simple user observations.

Yeah and that is the problem. For example, the "alternative medicine" world is filled with snake oil and placebo. Little testing, regulation, or proof of claims. Fact is, if any of it worked, it would simply be called medicine. The "wellness" and "audiophile" industries are similarly full of grifters. The simple truth is that basic human perceptions are just not good enough to prove much of anything, and our brain is too apt to bias the results one way or another.

The car parts industry has had its share of snake oil as well. From turbo-boost capacitors to whirly birds in intakes, all kinds of things have been sold with claimed benefits.

 

[SparkYellow]

Yeah and that is the problem. For example, the "alternative medicine" world is filled with snake oil and placebo. Little testing, regulation, or proof of claims. Fact is, if any of it worked, it would simply be called medicine. The "wellness" and "audiophile" industries are similarly full of grifters. The simple truth is that basic human perceptions are just not good enough to prove much of anything, and our brain is too apt to bias the results one way or another.

The car parts industry has had its share of snake oil as well. From turbo-boost capacitors to whirly birds in intakes, all kinds of things have been sold with claimed benefits.

Absolutely! It's just that I prefer tinkering over reading or analyzing. Once I get the cables in, I will report back and see what adjustment, if any, is needed.

My parts shelf is filled with additives and snake oil, while other folks keep mostly *cough cough* beauty products in their cabinets.

 

[CrazyHippie]

Absolutely! It's just that I prefer tinkering over reading or analyzing. Once I get the cables in, I will report back and see what adjustment, if any, is needed.

My parts shelf is filled with additives and snake oil, while other folks keep mostly *cough cough* beauty products in their cabinets.

I ordered a 24-inch double ring 4-gauge wire. Once I install it and see how the length works, I'll order another. I like to tinker too, and I have a proven history of subscribing to snake oil - I got the covid vaccine.

 

[N7turbo]

@AL Cx5 you misunderstood the post. It was not an attack. It was a call on others that if they are going to try this, to please not just post things like "I think I can feel a difference". Posts like that will not prove anything.

Yes dyno results would be ideal. But these cars do not behave well on dynos, and secondly, most people won't have access to one or want to pay the fee, even if we could use one without torque management and transmission behavior issues. So we must be open to other methods, which I outlined.

The scientific method works because it calls on others to corroborate results to rule out erroneous tests. If you are confident that this works, you would welcome this, and you wouldn't feel attacked. I hope you didn't, because that was not the intention.

 

[AL Cx5]

@AL Cx5 you misunderstood the post. It was not an attack. It was a call on others that if they are going to try this, to please not just post things like "I think I can feel a difference". Posts like that will not prove anything.

Yes dyno results would be ideal. But these cars do not behave well on dynos, and secondly, most people won't have access to one or want to pay the fee, even if we could use one without torque management and transmission behavior issues. So we must be open to other methods, which I outlined.

The scientific method works because it calls on others to corroborate results to rule out erroneous tests. If you are confident that this works, you would welcome this, and you wouldn't feel attacked. I hope you didn't, because that was not the intention.

My apologies.

I have found measuring engine load over a set course on CC, same speed, same day. I use Torque Pro app and email a CVS file to my computer. I pick the same point on the list for each test and graph them on a spreadsheet. Engine load vs. time.

I found with grounds the engine ran the course at a lower engine load than without grounds. Thus the engine was making more power or running more efferently.

One could pick fuel other PIDs. I found engine load a good overall test method.

I used this test method to modify my 5.9 Cummins for better FE. I tested each modification this way. Some mods were duds and others surprised me that the factory design was better than mine! LOL After doing this test method to prove mods we move FE from 18 to 30 MPH over a controlled test route TWO times. Note that it was a stunt to get the best FE. Driving, speed and geography were picked to optimize results. Real world is around 26 MPG over 1200 mile trip.

Cheers

 

[jadmt]

I did not read N7turbo's response as an attack. I read it as if people try it please post some real results....I have no way to post dyno numbers but will post if I get mpg improvement or even seat of the pants improvement.. hopefully others will too...

 

[SparkYellow]

Got three wires now, two from the cylinder head (using existing holes) and one from the 5th bolt on the throttle body. Read somewhere else about folks grounding from the coil packs, but the bolts on my coil packs seem to be fasteners only... Further reading indicates that there are different cables (one spade end) for coil pack connectors.

Would like to get two more in there.

I understand that bare metal offers the best conductivity. I wonder if the factory grounding brackets are "less" painted than the chassis/exterior. It could be just a layer of primer. I painted some NA rims before and the metallic primer is like this greyish white.

Had no idea what the two holes on the back of the engine are for. Hooks and chains to remove the engine?