Where in the firewall should I drill to run power wire to amplifier?

Question

I have a 1999 camaro z28 auto, and I need to find out the best way to run a power wire from the battery to the amplifier, I would like to not do any drilling if neccessary, but I will if need be. Also should I go through the drivers side or passengers side.

Thanks.

Answer 1

You should hook it to the ignition switch, so turning off the ignition will kill the power! ~

Answer 2

These are the most retarded answers I have ever seen. Mine not be much better, but out of the hundreds of amps I have installed, zero have come back because I routed wire wrong. 9 times out of 10 it is best to drill for a thick gauge power wire. Exceptions being vehicles where the battery in in the trunk or under the rear seat. The only alternative I have ever used to not drill when routing through a firewall, is the ECU harness grommet. IF and only if there is sufficient space on the sides of it away from the wire loom, you can put a small incision in it and run your wire. DO NOT ever run the wire near the throttle cable grommet, the steering column grommet or inside of any existing wire looms. If you do need to drill, on a Camero I don't think you can avoid it - do it as low as you can on either the left or the right, but make sure you can reach the wire on the other side, make sure you don't drill into the climate control or the heater core. I always try to stick withing a few inches of the brake master cylinder, that way I know exactly what is behind my drill bit because I can look up there and see. Everyone will tell you different things because everyone has had different experiences, but please...do not listen to the guy that told you to wire it into the ignition. It should be illegal to irresponsibly administer dangerous advice.

Answer 3

As to where you should drill - should be on the same side as the battery & rca cables go down the other side. Assuming you will be using at least 8 gauge (if not 4 gauge) wire, you won't be able to use an existing grommet that already had wiring/cables running through it - not enough room.

You may get lucky & find a grommet that doesn't have anything through it. Just make sure if you do use an existing grommet that you will be able to route your power wire so it doesn't interfere with anything else - cables, hood hinges, etc.

If you do have to drill a hole, make sure you drill it large enough for your grommet, but small enough to make a snug fit when you put your wire through it.

Your amp should also have a turn-on lead that you will run to the power antenna output on your deck. DO NOT run your main amp power wire to your fuse block.

don't forget to install a weather proof fuse block within 2' of your battery. I've used the phoenix gold breaker in multiple installs with good results.

Answer 4

Best if you have a volt meter. Tape a needle to one of the probes. The other attach to a ground point. Probe some of the thicker wires under the dash. What you're looking for is an accessory power wire. That is, a wire that has power when the car is running and when the key is turned to accessory. You can splice a wire into a power wire. Disconnect the battery. cut away about an inch length of insulation from the wire you're splicing into. Twist the amp wire onto this bare part of the wire and solder with rosin core solder and a soldering iron. Tape the splice with electrical tape. Otherwise, try to run a wire through an existing hole. All other options exhausted, drill either side, but make sure the drill won't poke through and damage something. Avoid putting wires underfoot where the insulation will eventually break and cause a short.

Answer 5

Typically there are punch-outs in the firewalls. Just find one, knock it out and run the wires. Just make sure you use a rubber grommet to protect the wires from shorting to the frame. Amps need a lot more amperage than just the head unit, so your best bet is always run it to the battery. If you tried running it from say the fuse box, you could overload the circuit or cause tons of heat buildup resulting in a fire.

Answer 6

If you don't want to drill you can run the power cable at the lip of the windshield and the door. but if i were you I'd drill under the driver side. when you do that you can also get a wire gasket or something to fill in the hole so bugs and stuff doesn't get in.

Answer 7

you no need to drill a hole just see tru your firewall on the hood wire run you can pass tru the main wire even 4 ga just be careful do not drill ahole if you dont know you can hit the booster brake or ac condenser ok

Answer 8

depends on where u r going to put the amp. Try running the power line through a existing hole where a wiring harness is.

Answer 9

It depends on which side the battery is on. ALWAYS run it on the same side. and run the RCA cable on the opposite side. don't forget to put an inline fuse no farther than 18" from the battery too.

Answer 10

Passenger side, under the carpet. You can go under the firewall. Also, you can run it through the trim.