Whenever you are thinking of upgrading the factory-fitted audio system to get a better, upgraded sound, you also need to think about your car’s electrical system.
Your car’s factory-fitted electrical system is not designed or capable of handling after-market, high-power audio systems so they also need an upgrade.
But what exactly is the car audio Big 3 Upgrade?
Here’s What Big 3 Upgrade In A Car Is
A factory-fitted audio system typically can handle 600-1000 Watts, but if you want to upgrade your audio system above that, then you have to upgrade your car’s electrical system as well, which includes a battery, high output alternator, and 3 power cables. Upgrading these 3 stock cables with 1/0 gauge insulated cables is called the Big 3 Upgrade!
In addition to powering your aftermarket audio system, installing a Big 3 Upgrade is also a great way to improve the car’s electrical charging system, improve the efficiency of your car’s electrical system, deal with dimming lights and manage increased demand for your car’s general use.
Related:
- What is a Car Audio Battery? (Explained for Beginners)
- Can I Use Deep Cycle Battery For Car Audio? (Explained)
- Can I Store A Car Battery In My Trunk? (Must Read)
What Does A Big 3 Consist Of, And How To Install It?
The Big 3 Upgrade includes upgrading 3 stock cables with 1/0 gauge insulated cables at 3 distinct locations.
Below are the 3 cables that are upgraded as part of the Big 3 Upgrades:
Alternator to the positive battery terminal (Blue, Red, or Green color)
Car body frame ground to negative battery terminal (Black or Grey color)
Engine block ground to negative battery terminal (Black or Grey color)
The reason you do a Big 3 Upgrade is that the stock wiring that comes with the car is not designed for aftermarket audio systems, so you need to upgrade these power cables to 1/0 gauge insulated power cables.
Steps to the Big 3 Upgrade:
- Make sure to disconnect the negative and positive battery cables to completely isolate the battery.
- Prepare the 1/0 gauge cable with the terminal to replace the factory-fitted cable connecting from the alternative charge to the positive of the battery. Make sure the new 1/0 gauge cable doesn’t interfere with the engine and radiator so secure it neatly. For safety, the alternator charge cable should be fused within 12 inches of the positive battery terminal
- The next step is to ground the main battery to the frame or chassis of the car with a 1/0 gauge insulated cable. The point of the ground should be free of any paint or debris that could reduce resistance. Strut tower nuts are directly connected to the car’s chassis and also have stronger nuts so you can secure the cable firmly.
- Finally, connect the engine block or head to the battery ground. Make sure you find a large bolt on a sturdy part of the engine block or head to connect to the ground.
- Your big 3 upgrade is now complete!
What Tools Do I Need For The Big 3 Upgrade
Below are the tools you need to perform the Big 3 Upgrade:
Big 3 Upgrade Kit
- 1/0 gauge heavy-duty insulated cable of different color codes (Positive & Ground)
- Heat shrink
- Ring terminal
- cable or zip ties
- cable holder
Tools
- Tools to cut the 1/0 gauge cable
- Plyers or clippers
- Tools to cut the 1/0 gauge cable insulation
- Sharp blade
- Heat gun
- Hydraulic crimper or vice
- Wrenches
- Sockets
- Ratchet
Is A Big 3 Upgrade Worth It?
If you’ve ever driven a new car, you know how it feels to have everything work perfectly. The dashboard is perfect, the speakers sound crisp, and all your gadgets are plugged in and charged.
But as time goes on, we tend not to pay as much attention to the condition of our cars—especially when they’re running just fine like they always have been.
That’s why upgrading your car’s Big 3 electrical and audio systems can be such a good idea: it allows you to take stock of how things are working for you now and ensure that everything is up-to-date with today’s standards.
And if something isn’t working perfectly anymore? It’s time for an upgrade!
Here are some reasons why upgrading your car’s Big 3 electrical systems is a great idea:
1. Upgraded Sound Quality
The most popular reason for the Big 3 Upgrades, is to install an aftermarket high-powered audio system.
If you want to hear upgraded quality music, you need an upgraded system that needs more power than the stock factory-fitted audio system.
You’ll be able to listen to all of the instruments and vocals clearly and loudly, which is something that can’t be achieved with just a factory stereo.
2. Faster Battery Charging
The Big 3 Upgrade improves your battery’s ability to charge quickly and efficiently.
With the increased power demand the battery can drain quickly so it needs faster and more efficient charging, the alternator with 1/0 gauge cables makes the battery charge faster.
3. Low Voltage Problem
With the Big 3 Upgrade, you can solve all low-voltage problems such as dimming lights.
The efficiency of your car’s electrical system can improve by up to 10-15%, just with the Big 3 Upgrade, hence improving the low voltage problem.
4. Quick Engine Start
With the car’s improved electric efficiency, the car’s starter can get the surge in the current spinning the engine with optimum power and starting your car swiftly.
When you upgrade your electrical system, you’ll notice that turning your engine on and off is much smoother, which is great for those who need fast car access.
5. Heat Management
You should upgrade your car’s electrical system to be more efficient at dissipating heat from the engine compartment.
The more efficiently the system functions, the less heat there will be inside the engine compartment; there won’t be any unnecessary wear on parts like spark plugs or belts.
It also means there will be less chance of overheating due to excessive friction caused by high temperatures (such as during long trips).
6. Improved Safety
With the Big 3 Upgrade, you get a better gauge wire and good insulation along with fuse and surge protection, which makes your car’s electric system safe – it can easily handle large power demands.
7. Better Fuel Efficiency
Upgrading your car’s Big 3 electrical and audio systems will help reduce the gas it uses, saving you money in the long run!
8. Looks
Upgrading your car’s electrical system with a 1/0 gauge cable looks macho and so much better when you open the hood.
This might be especially important if you are trying to sell your car or trade it in for something else!
Do I Need Other Upgrades With Big 3?
Once you have done the Big 3 Upgrades and if your audio system still needs more power (which most aftermarket audio systems will) then you need to upgrade your alternator and/or battery as well.
High output alternator
With the Big 3 Upgrade alone the efficiency of the power/current transmission improves by 10-15% due to the better gauge cables but the factory alternator will not be able to pump out more amps than its specification.
To pump out more amps, you need to upgrade your alternator to something like a 370 amp high-powered alternator to charge your quick-draining battery due to the higher power needs of your audio system.
Battery
A high amp battery or an even second battery in parallel (Car Audio Battery) is required to give that additional power to the audio system.
The high-output alternator will make sure both batteries are kept charged quickly and efficiently.
What Big 3 Upgrade Doesn’t Do?
The Big 3 Upgrade on its own unfortunately doesn’t increase the output voltage capability of the alternator. For that, you need to upgrade your factory alternator with an after-market high-output alternator
It also doesn’t increase the output current capability of the alternator. Again, for that, you need to upgrade your factory alternator r with an after-market high-output alternator
The Big 3 Upgrade will not power your aftermarket audio system that requires substantially more current than the stock alternator.
The Big 3 Upgrades will also not power your car’s other power-hungry, high-current aftermarket components such as additional high-power lights.
What Is The Big 4 Upgrade And How Is It Different?
With a high 4 upgrade, everything with the Big 3 Upgrade remains the same except you add one more 1/0 gauge insulated cable to the mix which makes it a Big 4 Upgrade.
With the Big 3 Upgrade, below are the car’s electrical system cables that are upgraded:
- Alternator power to positive battery terminal (Blue, Red, or Green color)
- Car body frame ground to negative battery terminal (Black or Grey color)
- Engine block ground to negative battery terminal (Black or Grey color)
With the Big 4 Upgrade, below are the car’s electrical system cables that are upgraded:
- Alternator power to positive battery terminal (Blue, Red, or Green color)
- Alternator ground to negative battery terminal (Black or Grey color)
- Car body frame ground to negative battery terminal (Black or Grey color)
- Engine block ground to negative battery terminal (Black or Grey color) OR Ground from the engine block to chassis (Black or Grey color)
Summing It Up
When you choose a car for the Big 3 Upgrade, you’re making a decision that will last for years to come.
You’re choosing a car that will be reliable, comfortable, and safe.
It will definitely allow you to enjoy the power-hungry audio system with max volume without worrying about any failure in the car’s electrical system.
