Is 4 awg too small for a postive battery cable?
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It "might" work but it could depend on the starter, cranking compression amount, ignition timing, and/or how the ground is set up.
If you had a high torque starter on a low cranking compression motor, then it might just work but if you had a stock starter trying to crank over a high cranking compression motor then it wouldn't work.
Options I've done in cars is sometimes run the power/ground cables down the passenger side of the tranny tunnel next to the floor. When the carpet goes to be installed a lot of times it covers it up nicely.
Jim
If you had a high torque starter on a low cranking compression motor, then it might just work but if you had a stock starter trying to crank over a high cranking compression motor then it wouldn't work.
Options I've done in cars is sometimes run the power/ground cables down the passenger side of the tranny tunnel next to the floor. When the carpet goes to be installed a lot of times it covers it up nicely.
Jim
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4,072 Posts
Bruce, it depends on what the amp draw is going to be. A #4 cable is good for about 90 amps (depending on the type of cable) then consider voltage drop for the length of the run. Your biggest draw will be during starting so you can use this formula to decide your cable size. 2 X Length X resistance X amps divided by 1000. 2 is the path and return, length is the length of the wire, resistance is the resistance of the wire per 1000' (which you should be able to find out from internet charts) Stock starters that I've tested draw about 80 amps while cranking. Hope this helps.
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670 Posts
4 is a bit scary even more that its inside the car. Im running 1/0 inside to the truck for the stereo. Maybe for my battery in the future.
The other things to take into consideration is actual O/D size,type of strandings,type of jackets ect
not all wires with the same gauge size have the same outside diameter, and flexbility.
If you have a 'fit into certain area issue' you may want to check several manufacturers O/D sizes
not all wires with the same gauge size have the same outside diameter, and flexbility.
If you have a 'fit into certain area issue' you may want to check several manufacturers O/D sizes
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185 Posts
The only benefits with going with 4 gauge is cost and size. For such a critical part of the car, I would consider going with the larger cable. Personally, I don't want to have a handful of things (issues) in the back of my mind that constantly worry me about my car when I am out on the open road.
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20,542 Posts
cost has nothing to do with it....my problem is size......im gonna run it under the car now anyways
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4,586 Posts
To answer your question directly.....yes, it's too small for your LS3...
.......... sorry, had to do it.. T,
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20,542 Posts
I knew that was comingTo answer your question directly.....yes, it's too small for your LS3...
T,
sometimes you just gotta say it
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7,086 Posts
SO what your saying is size does matter:devil:To answer your question directly.....yes, it's too small for your LS3...
T,
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451 Posts
This is what I'm running also.
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57 Posts
My opinion is to go with 2 ga. or larger. I was thinking the same...under the sill plate.2 guage welding cable fit perfectly in the channel under my passenger side sill plate. Just a thought
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