Gains from battery rellocation

[LNeves]

Just wandering about it and since a search for "battery rellocation"
didn't return any results, thought I start a thread about it.
I can think of 2 benefits:

1. CAI pipe no longer squized around the battery. Can go directly to front grill.
2. Space for extra bottle that can be used for IC water spray and/or water
injection kits.

Can't see other gains.

What do you chaps think ?
Too much trouble for little gains or doable and worth the effort.

Cheers.

 

[Scotty_b]

I was looking at moving it, how hard is it to do? I was either thinking getting a smaller battery or moving the location of the battery to behind the induction kit (it needs to be smaller as of the engine mounts

 

[m0rk]

less weight over the front axle

 

[Scotty_b]

Thats a bad thing tho?

 

[LNeves]

Good point. Yes, because front wheel traction. We're talking about what, 6 lbs ?

 

[Scotty_b]

I seem to remeber loads of people saying about it but no one seem sto have done it yet, i think Rick C was going to

 

[LNeves]

I would put it in the boot, but since I'm very unexperienced in this matters don't know
what's the best option. Also don't know anyone who has done it.

 

[m0rk]

more weight over the front end = more understeer/harder to turn

it's not a massive weight, but the more you take out the less there is.

 

[LNeves]

Ok, now I see your point.
So it's a benefit if you think about handling (reasons you pointed)
and a disadvantage if think about less weight = less traction over front
wheels.
But like you said, not a massive weight so not a big impact.

Nice. I think about it as another benefit.

 

[m0rk]

make lots of small weight losses - it's easier than one big one!

I think that the 100kg of engine will make sure you have enough weight over the front axle....

 

[warren_cox]

I saw that the BTCC cars don't run batteries in the standard location. That said I didn't see they had one at all (so if it is in the car then no idea where).
I assume they may not have power steering, air con, ICE, heater systems etc... to manage so they can use a very small unit located elsewhere.

Is it possible to get smaller/lighter battery's that have equal capacity even if they are more expensive to buy? I've seen ICE specific one's, but not performance / weight reduction jobbies?

 

[m0rk]

You can get small batteries - I know of 3 people running them in Ibiza's (although none with heavy usage ancilaries)

the BTCC cars run them in the passenger seat foot well - along with the ECU, lead weight etc.

 

[Feel]

If you do a search on "battery relocation" you might find some results , although perhaps not what you're looking for...

Some of us have moved the battery tray on the Leon across a little bit to allow more room for an air feed to the front grill. You need some brackets to do this, handily I can make you some

 

[warren_cox]

If you do a search on "battery relocation" you might find some results , although perhaps not what you're looking for...

Some of us have moved the battery tray on the Leon across a little bit to allow more room for an air feed to the front grill. You need some brackets to do this, handily I can make you some

How much are these Feel?

 

[WeeJase]

i seem to rememeber demon tweeks selling some of reduced size and weight,buggered if i can recall the maufacturers name though

 

[LNeves]

If you do a search on "battery relocation" you might find some results

Bugger, it's only one L, thanks for correcting me.

Point is to remove the battery from the engine bay and use the extra space for
other mods, but I'm still not sure if it's worth the trouble.

 

[ibizacupra]

Red Top (expensive).

Mine in the boot in a battery box (MAS/FIA) and live in the spare wheel well now.
Was done to move weigth rearwards and allow more space for induction which needs to be large on mine.

60/40 front rear weight approx. Yea weight over driven wheels, but also a poor balance. (why 8v GTi Ibiza owners say theirs handled better than 20VT's - cos they probably did)

 

[Scotty_b]

Yes optima yellow and red tops, ive been told that the yellow is best to go for on th LCR as its has loads of aircon lights radio etc. Im waiting until the new catalouge comes out with the new jab versions, which are a lot lower than the standard versions, which could help move it behind the airbox

 

[LNeves]

So, benefits I've got so far:

1. CAI pipe can go directly to front grill (no dodgy routing round the battery)
2. Space for extra bottle used by water injection and/or IC water spray kits
3. Slightly better weight balance/handling

and disadvantages:

1. Less room in the boot or no spare wheel at all

Can't think of anything else.

 

[Scotty_b]

Im really considering just swapingthe location oft he battery to behind the induction kit with teh use of the smaller battery. The main problem is that optima havent sent the new info through and they have bugger all on the net, bloddy yanks!