Relocating battery to the trunk

1

1990LXDropTop

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How involved is it? Is there a special kit I have to buy? What are the benefits of relocating the battery to the trunk? Will I feel a difference?

 

GearHd6

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Buy a good metal battery box and enough positive cable to make it from the solenoid up by the coil all the way back to the battery. You can ground the battery somewhere in the back so that cable doesnt have to be very long. Also if you're gonna bring it to the drag strip you have to have a battery cut-off switch located at the back of the car. The benefit is basically to get unwanted weight up front onto the right rear tire for traction sake. You wont really feel a difference. It also free's up space under the hood for ignition and stuff like that.

 

Black 93 Fox

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I bought the Steeda Hard Core Battery Relocate kit from www.Blueovalperformance.net It came with most everything I need except the cut off switch of couse.

 

1

1990LXDropTop

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Thanks guys... One more thing... Which is the best way to run the cable to the trunk? I know it will have to go through the firewall, but where? Maybe through the steering column?

 

ALMOST STOCK

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This may be old but it's probably the best article on now to relocate your battery that I've seen; it should explain everything that you need to know in my opinion.

http://www.corral.net/forums/showthread.php?t=349155

 

90mustangGT

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The advantages of a rear mount battery is improving the front to rear weight ratio which is horrible on our cars. It also cleans up the engine bay a good bit. Since you can't exactly delete the battery, and even lighter batteries are still heavy this is a significant amount of weight. The front will lift more, transering weight to the rear, and there will be more weight in the rear, so more traciton.

The disavantages are with computer controlled cars, the ground side is further away, and the steel isn't the best conductor compared to copper or gold and this can fool with sensors. Many people run a negative cables from where the original negative cable hooks, to the back, and some also like to put the computer grounds on their own circuit to the battery.

Another factor at the track not only do you need a cutoff switch, but the car is suposed to cut off when the switch is hit as well, many times the car keeps running even with the battery disconnected. They usually don't test this but it could ruin your night if they do.

 

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1990LXDropTop

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Why exactly do I need a cut off switch?

 

Black 93 Fox

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1990LXDropTop said:

Why exactly do I need a cut off switch?

Click to expand...

You only need one If you race at the track It is a requirment at all tracks if the battery is relocated to the back.

 

Black 93 Fox

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90mustangGT said:

Another factor at the track not only do you need a cutoff switch, but the car is suposed to cut off when the switch is hit as well, many times the car keeps running even with the battery disconnected. They usually don't test this but it could ruin your night if they do.

Click to expand...

YES very true I have the same problem right now. I forgot to hook up the alt to the cut off switch. If the alt isnt hooked up and you hit the switch the computer draws electricy from the alt instead of the battery so the car still runs even tho the battery is cut off.

 

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1990LXDropTop

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Black 93 Fox said:

You only need one If you race at the track It is a requirment at all tracks if the battery is relocated to the back.

Click to expand...

Yes, but WHY is it a requirement? I mean, I have a battery right now, only its under my hood and not in my trunk. Whats the big deal if its in the trunk rather than under the hood? I don't need a cut off switch if its under my hood, so why would I need one if its in the trunk to run my car at the track?

 

Black 93 Fox

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#11

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1990LXDropTop said:

Yes, but WHY is it a requirement? I mean, I have a battery right now, only its under my hood and not in my trunk. Whats the big deal if its in the trunk rather than under the hood? I don't need a cut off switch if its under my hood, so why would I need one if its in the trunk to run my car at the track?

Click to expand...

Im not sure all I know is its a NHRA rule so pretty much all tracks have to follow it.

 

90mustangGT

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The idea is saftey. In case of an accident, they can shut of the electrical system to prevent the igntion of fuels from sparks as well as to shut off pumps and the motor. People will show up at the track with cars with factory rear mount batteries and they arn't required. I think the idea is that when you start doing things such as a battery relocation, your probally getting pretty serious with mods. There must have been an incedent where a cutoff switch would have saved someone from death or injury but there wasn't so someone decided to make this a rule. I don't know though.

You also need the box to be sealed with a vent tube to the outside of the car if your car is a hatch or any car where the battery is not sealed from the passenger compartment.