Moving battery to rear trunk - good spot? Options

[Tdskip]

Hi folks, hope everybody had a good weekend. This car is going to have a 2.4 L carbureted/6 engine hurt but at some point in the future will need the hell hole tidied up. I just need to get the engine in and the car running so well I understand I’m creating more work for myself at some point in the future it’s time to get this thing moving under its own power.

Given that I am thinking about relocating the battery to the position as shown. I am imagining a plastic battery tray that simply bolted to the floor would be fine, but wanted to get some thoughts prior to diving in..

Thanks!

(Sharp eyed people who have had their morning coffee will probably spot that there’s a 3.2 L in there, different plans for that motor)

[eric9144]

It works well, but consider swapping down to a smaller more modern form factor, the traditional batter is large and heavy:

[Shivers]

I've seen them front and rear. I read that with a full tank the weight between the front and rear is eprox. 50-50. As the tank empties it gets heavier in back. But this info was on the internet, along with Bigfoot being the father of her baby.

[GregAmy]

I installed a lightweight AGM battery immediately above the starter (to shorten the positive cable length to the starter) and the ground cable to the standard ground point above the transaxle tail. The cables go through holes in the floor, protected by grommets.

Since the battery is an AGM, I mounted it on its side so the terminals go straight down. The terminals are protected from contact of junk in the trunk by rubber covers.

https://braillebattery.com/collections/lightweight-agm
https://braillebattery.com/collections/mounts

[mtndawg]

I personally like the original location for weight balance and aesthetics in the trunk. You could put it in the rear trunk temporarily while you work on the rust problem.

[Tdskip]

My folks – thanks for all of the responses. Agree on a modern more compact battery being a plus. Also thinking that at some point I may want to relocate it so using a plastic bowl town battery tray to hold it in place seems like a easily fixable approach.

Appreciate the responses, good coaching.

[Tdskip]

It works well, but consider swapping down to a smaller more modern form factor, the traditional batter is large and heavy:

@eric9144 - Did you notice any difference with the additional bracing to the shock towers

[eric9144]

Did you notice any difference with the additional bracing to the shock towers

There's so much stiffening on the whole car I honestly couldn't tell you, that's just the tip of the visual iceberg (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Root_Werks]

I don't have this 914 anymore. I used an Odyssey PC680 I believe? It's covered by the floor carpet on the passenger side. Hardly took up any space which was nice.

[mlindner]

Worked good for me. Only a 2.2 S.

[Tdskip]

Thanks for the follow up gentlemen.

[Superhawk996]

I’m odd man out. I’ll offer a contrarian point of view that I felt helps the handling dynamics.

I prefer front trunk on center line.

Down low reduce Cg height. Minimises the polar moment of inertia by centralised mass. Helps offset front end getting light with light fuel load.

Down side is long cable (4ga welding cable) to positive terminal on starter. Weight of the cable is a negative but it too is down low so not a terrible thing overall.

Ran my first teener like this - never a problem with starting other than once has a poor connection to the battery post. I felt this improved initial turn in on corners. Much easier to work on the battery in the Frunk.

As another plus - it really opens up the engine compartment for service. Especially so with Carbs.

YRMV

[914Toy]

I’m odd man out. I’ll offer a contrarian point of view that I felt helps the handling dynamics.

I prefer front trunk on center line.

Down low reduce Cg height. Minimises the polar moment of inertia by centralised mass. Helps offset front end getting light with light fuel load.

Down side is long cable (4ga welding cable) to positive terminal on starter. Weight of the cable is a negative but it too is down low so not a terrible thing overall.

Ran my first teener like this - never a problem with starting other than once has a poor connection to the battery post. I felt this improved initial turn in on corners. Much easier to work on the battery in the Frunk.

As another plus - it really opens up the engine compartment for service. Especially so with Carbs.

YRMV

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

[Tdskip]

Thanks for the considerations.

I've found that I use the front trunk a LOT for luggage on road trips etc so a bit concerned about chewing up that space. I think due to the shape of the rear trunk I don't find myself using it much, hence that as a potential placement option.

Open to be convinced otherwise, can't argue with the physics of your suggestion.

[Jamie]

Thanks for the considerations.

I've found that I use the front trunk a LOT for luggage on road trips etc so a bit concerned about chewing up that space. I think due to the shape of the rear trunk I don't find myself using it much, hence that as a potential placement option.

Open to be convinced otherwise, can't argue with the physics of your suggestion.

Superhawk's physics are correct, but application has many negatives to me. A heavy cable running the length of the body has potential loss of battery "energy," and a real potential for shorts that could be catastrophic! The newer selection of lighter dry cell batteries available makes the trunk location viable with fewer potential location negatives. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) I just prefer the original battery tray location with a smaller and lighter new battery, a slight offset for the weight of the driver. .

[mlindner]

I moved the battery to the trunk so I had room for the coil and MSD box. Fabricated a panel for mounting keep engine compartment clean. Mark

[burton73]

Any of these make you happy?. The sealed ones with top worked great on my tender to my big boat

Bob B

[Marv's3.6six]

Agree with others, the shorter the run to the starter the better. I am running a tiny battery for my 3.6 YMMV.

[Maltese Falcon]

Since the CIS components sit on the battery tray, moving the battery to the R-Side of the trunk was in the cards

[930cabman]

I personally like the original location for weight balance and aesthetics in the trunk. You could put it in the rear trunk temporarily while you work on the rust problem.

I was considering moving the battery also, but voted against. If things are kept in order, battery acid, corrosion, water infiltration and the like I think we will be just fine. If I was running a factory FI system, I would look into moving the ECU away from the battery.