Most amp specs say to use 8 gauge cables to power the amp to the battery. Would a 4 gauge cable be better for power handling of the amp and alternator efficiency on the Coupe? What do most of you use?

Rui

As far as I remember, if you use too thick a cable, it can cause problems. I used some 4 gauge on an install a few years back and the cable was wasting power just too push the power through to the amp. I used 8 gauge this time round and it works a treat. I'm sure things have come a long way since I used the 4 gauge though, that was quite a long time ago

depends what size amp (power it runs) to what size cable your need your find on most power kits they say what wattage it can handle. a large cable on a small amp is not good as it can run it to hot the best thing to do is to have a power cap (Capasitor) which is easy to fit just mount it in yor boot or where ever run the power earth to it and then off it to the amp.

this way you dont get any power drain from the battery becuase the battery charges the cap so there is allways enough power there for the amp also looks very cool on a install, some have digital gauges on them which reads what amps are being drawn . hope this helps

Fariniac, that sounds more like speaker cabling you're talking about... Choose power cables according to load:
8AWG wiring kit for 60A (720W)
4AWG wiring kit for 80A (960W)

IMHO - Avoid installing a cap.
Yet another cap debate thread...

I was told by the sound specialist that 8 gauge is more than adequate for a single amp, sub setup. He said that a 4 guage would not do any harm. Apparently the 4 gauge comes usefull when you start to crank the volume lound. At loud volumes the amp need more power and 4 gauge would give constant power to the amp.

iv allways used a cap there is never a problem depends on how it is fitted u cant go wrong. it deos stop the drain you get on laod volumes. each to are own you are right in saying that 4guage would be fine harder to install though the car and make sure the amp terminals can take the size

Use 4AWG if you are likely to install a bigger/additional amp in the future. As Madval says, you risk overheating (possibly causing a fire) if your cable is too thin. Whereas using excessively thick cable will not be in anyway detrimental to safety or amplifier performance.

Caps cause quite a lot of heated debates on various different forums, worth doing some serious reading if tempted to buy one. For extra bling factor, they do look cool.

no no Barney, I had a 400W (RMS) amp and I used thick cable (can't remember guage but it was thicker than 8)and the cable seemed like it was soaking power, sounded crap. I changed the cable and it sounded far better. Might jsut have been shite cable mind you, this was quite a few years ago.

lol lol little question for you power soaking guys, lets say your running 8 awg cable to an amp with 500 watt rms splattered all over it and you have a 60 amp fuse within 10 inch from the battery, before the fuse your getting say 60 amps, 5 meters down the cable at the amp what do you think the ampage is?
Use minimum of 4 awg every time [properly fused] that way your amp can draw what it needs when it wants, [safely]
Quality caps are great for sub base as deep base notes draw a lot of current/power, they also filter white noise and interference, but when left will cause a drain.

i agree with mule. 4 awg is the way to go.

Fariniac, think you must've had a bad connection before as going for a thicker cable simply means less resistance. That cannot be a bad thing for the amplifier.

Jumeirah, exactly what size amplifier are you installing and do you intend to upgrade in the future?

I am currently running a Mono Class D 800W peak and 350W RMS constant handing amp. Not keen of an upgrade at least of my Coupe. i have a 2 channel amp lying around. Was thinking of making use of it to power the component speakers.

Installing an amp for your front components is a good idea.

Actually Barney, I think the prob was the type of cable, it was taking too many amps to push the power through the cable. Like I said, this was a long time ago. I was using 415V mains cable (the 3 phase type stuff used in machine workshops) as it was all I had at the time. OFC automotive power cables were only for the very rich back in the early 90's so I used what I had available.....these days, I use the real mcoy....hehe

It's amazing what you remember after serveral pints of your favourite tipple....lol