Running cable to locate battery in the trunk

Lambiablo · Jul 5, 2011

I did some searching here, and the old threads did not spend much time addressing the issue of running the cable through the firewall to the trunk. I always try to do things so that they are reversible. So I am hesitant to drill into the firewall. I was considering running it through the large grommet with the wiring harness, but that looks painstaking, and would possibly create a mess of it.

So is drilling holes in the firewall about the only option? I was hoping maybe someone found a real clean way of routing the cable without drilling.

Thanks in advance.

dsmdeliveryboy · Jul 5, 2011

I've heard of people running it through where the shifter cables come through the fire wall.

blackcrow64 · Jul 6, 2011

I used the large gromet on the passenger side of the firewall and had no problems with it becoming a mess... I think that is about the easiest reversible way of doing it... Of course, I can't see a reason why you would need/want to reverse it after it's done?

SoNew · Jul 6, 2011

blackcrow64 said:
I used the large gromet on the passenger side of the firewall and had no problems with it becoming a mess... I think that is about the easiest reversible way of doing it... Of course, I can't see a reason why you would need/want to reverse it after it's done?

I used this gromet also its really close to where the battery used to be, and pretty much any gauge will fit, I just recently pulled 4 gauge through a 98 dsm and 0 gauge through a 96. A bit of an overkill for 2 10" subs but ya know, rock on

97gst_spyder · Jul 6, 2011

AAMP sells 0 gauge grommets that are 3 piece and water tight. They look clean and last awhile. IIRC I bought one a while ago for a buddy for under $6.

jmitch · Jul 6, 2011

Mine is ran on the passenger side through the grommet where the wires on that side go in to the cabin area!!

Lambiablo · Jul 6, 2011

Alright, thanks for the ideas guys! I have also heard of those grommets before, that has been one option in the back of my mind.

And as far as making it reversible, I just like to do everything I can that way in case the need arises. You never know. It's also often results in a clean way of doing things.

Cirus_93TSI · Jul 6, 2011

its not absolutely necessary to even go through the firewall, my battery cables are running under my car alongside my -8an fuel line, comes back into the car next to the battery box. but if then your still stuck drilling/cutting through the floorpan in the rear hatch. but your going to be drilling holes there to mount the battery box anyway.
i couldnt care less about the holes and where they are, i just didnt want to go through the trouble of routing huge gauge cable through my interior. with my cage and the amount of wires in my dash and center console already it just seemed like more trouble then it was worth to try and route it in a way i was happy with inside the car.

Anubis_4_99 · Jul 6, 2011

doing this you have a risk of the wire getting damaged and arching out on the vehicle or just getting severed period. i personally would never run a fairly vital wire underneath my car like that.

but that's just me, and i don't know if you've taken any precautions to avoid that.

Cirus_93TSI said:
its not absolutely necessary to even go through the firewall, my battery cables are running under my car alongside my -8an fuel line, comes back into the car next to the battery box. but if then your still stuck drilling/cutting through the floorpan in the rear hatch. but your going to be drilling holes there to mount the battery box anyway.
i couldnt care less about the holes and where they are, i just didnt want to go through the trouble of routing huge gauge cable through my interior. with my cage and the amount of wires in my dash and center console already it just seemed like more trouble then it was worth to try and route it in a way i was happy with inside the car.

99eclipse420 · Jul 7, 2011

The way I did this was I ran the cables under the car to the back where the spare tire sits, and there are these little rubber inserts and i just popped one of them out and ran the cable through that. No drilling and the wires are hidden.

motozachl · Jul 7, 2011

99eclipse420 said:
The way I did this was I ran the cables under the car to the back where the spare tire sits, and there are these little rubber inserts and i just popped one of them out and ran the cable through that. No drilling and the wires are hidden.

Ditto this

agentorange313 · Jul 7, 2011

I just ran out and snapped a couple photos of the battery relocation in my car.
I ran it through the already provided grommet on the drivers side, and ran it into the cabin, behind the dash, under the passenger seat and out the rear. Its not as clean as I want it to look, but I am not trying to impress anyone with the interior, function over form. Not to mention its so much easier to work on my car, TB area, knock sensor, manifold. So much more room now.

I also followed this tech article when I was grounded out everything in my engine bay.
The only thing is that since the battery is in the rear now, I made 2 grounding point on my firewall.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/art...5889-homemade-4-gauge-grounding-wire-kit.html

97gst_spyder · Jul 7, 2011

I've been thinking about moving the battery to the trunk, but I figured it would hurt the weight distribution even more than its off already (abs in front driver).

Did you notice a difference in the way the car handled after, and/or voltage?

agentorange313 · Jul 7, 2011

I have an AWD vehicle, I do not need as much weight in the front for traction.

to be honest, it hasn't made a difference for me. I also dont have abs. Just a cleaner look and easier to manage working in the engine bay. IDK how evo guys do it, it so fricking small in there.

I dont have a gauge/meter at the moment to see if there was a voltage drop. I am sure there was because of the increase in wire length and size, thus increasing resistance by law. I am not running a sub or anything extra, just my laptop sometimes. I also dont have AC.

Lambiablo · Jul 7, 2011

Thanks for the photos and ideas! I wish the 2g had some removable grommets in the firewall. And as far as weight distribution, a battery is maybe 30-40lbs or so? I don't believe that would ever create any noticeable difference. An audio system and/or light weight panels can create more changes than this.

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Running cable to locate battery in the trunk

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