joethecomputerdude

Why can't i find the damn battery cables for my 83 anywhere???
i've been to autozone and napa and carquest... and they all tell me that there is no such thing as battery cables for a 1983 rx-7... what jack-nuts...

Directfreak

iTrader: (2)

Get 2 Gauge Heavy duty battery cable, the right terminals, and make your own.

Better yet, use the opportunity to relocate the battery to your passenger Bin.

FJ

Yup.
Even if you have to buy a soldering iron, buy the wire by the foot. It will be less expensive to make your own. There's nothing special about the stock cables; you'll be able to install a larger gauge for less money. Larger is always better as far as wires are concerned.

I use an old cold chisel and a BFH to crimp the connectors, and then solder them. Better than OEM.

John.

joethecomputerdude

ummm... i am just afraid that if i use a different gauge something will happen....

I ran 12 gauge from my lightbar on my firetruck (volunteer) and then i ran a 10 gauge from the switch to the bar... and the 12 gauge melted... and the interior caught fire... bad chicken!!!

so, what exactly should i do???
i have the negative wire... goes to a small coupler screw as well as directly to the side of the tranny....

and the positive one... well... it goes right to the starter...

peejay

Nobody sells exact replacement battery cables, except possibly the dealer.

The 12 auge melted because it was too small!!

mar3

iTrader: (8)

Go to your local welder supply with measurements. They will cut to your measurements and crimp on solid brass ends. Ask for "one-ought" cable. Strands are ultra-thin, so it's extremely flexible and surface area of the conductor is through the roof with all the strands involved. That's where current is conducted, not through the strand but on its surface...WTYM...

DriveFast7

iTrader: (1)

I have an opened but never used Summit Racing battery relocation kit I'd be willing to sell a bit under retail.

BradP

fcturbo2

BRADP where in LA are you at?..pls check your PM

minocqa

Check Victoria British.. i think they have them

hanman

First of all, yes Victoria British sells the OEM replacements. But....my suggestion is still to make your own. I bought VB's for my 80, but on my 85 and 86 I made my own. I used 2ga for the positive and 4ga for the negative. Heres what you need:
Approx. 4' of 2ga wire
Approx. 4' of 4ga wire
3 crimp connectors for 4ga wire
1 crimp connector for 2ga wire
A new set of battery terminals, my suggestion is to buy the "tool less" type. They tighten by hand. Very handy when working on your car.
Take this list to your local parts store. They will hook you up. Just use your old cables as a template. On the negative cable (stock) there is a connector in the middle of the cable that connects to the engine compartment wall. Just cut a cable to fit from there to the negative terminal, and then cut another to go from the wall to the ground on the engine block. It is the other end of the starter bolt.
It works great, actually much better than the stock cables.
hanman

joethecomputerdude

did my own cables...
does anyone know what the ground wire that connects directly to the battery as well as the side of the car... right below the positive power coupling (off of the battery) does?

i can explain more if needed

mar3

iTrader: (8)

Mazda just had the battery ground cable double as the engine to frame grounding cable. Make sure it still fastens to the fenderwell if you're staying relatively stock. I wish I had thought to set this link up earlier before you started. It works better than the current set-up guaranteed. Maybe some lazy summer day in the future...

Starter and Grounding Cable upgrade...