would i be doing anything detrimental by running a 2 or bigger gauge wire from the alt. output directly to the positive terminal cluster on the wheel well?....

 

Don't see how it would hurt.

 

Its not going to hurt anything, however it sounds like your trying to put something a bit too big for the current your alt is pushing, an 8 GA or if your really determined to run too big of a wire for no reason even a 4 GA will more than do it.

Your only going to lose .2V if you used 18" of wire between the alt and the block, .1V if your only using 1 ft. .04 if you used 4 ga at 1 ft and .056 at 18".

So is the hassle of fitting a large terminal on the block for a 4 GA really worth it over a much more reasonable 8 GA terminal for the .06V or so you'd gain ?

 

I'm running a 2 gauge!!!! from innovativewiring.com
-b

 

i have some 8 gauge 'aluminum ground wire' somewhere in the garage, would that be ok to use?

 

Do not use aluminum wire. Could someone please tell me WHY are you doing this?

 

I have 00 wire running from the Alternator to the Battery, Battery to Ground, and Battery to Stereo...