What is the purpose of the electrical ground wire on the exhaust, and are there any ramifications of a loose connection? Currently my wire is hanging down and unattached. (That's how the exhaust shop left it).

Photo

 

not really sure. but ~ 35k mile with my borla unattached. it has not been an issue..

beers

 

same thing here with racing beat exhaust. since it's a single outlet the left side is left alone, and i never hooked any of them back up on the right side.

 

Yes - you want it connected if possible.
1) The O2 sensor needs a clean solid ground reference.
2) To suppress galvanic corrosion issues in the exhaust system.

 

if there is a bolt/nut to ground it on the exhaust, you may just want to do it.

 

been without mine for over 2 years, no issue

 

dude, without it your losing like 10 lbs of torque!

 

I was going to get a small steel hose clamp, the kind with a screw on it, to put around that hanger. Then I was going to attach the ground wire to the screw.

However since I was going to the exhaust shop anyway I had them do it. Unfortunately they actually welded the ground wire onto the hanger, instead of making a removable widget.

 

Mines not hooked up. No issues.

 

The possible effects:
1) If the O2 signal drops even .1 volt cruise fuel economy will suffer.
2) The stock exhaust will wear out sooner but with a stainless exhaust corrosion is less of an issue.