Lightweight battery vs battery in trunk?
I have done both mods and here is my 2 cents.
1. I have a Hawker Odessey on my '99. It's often in a daily driver role and has never been to the track, so I can't post any ET results from doing it. However, it is surely an easy way to cut about 24 lbs off the nose of the car and the battery turns over a stock internals LS1 fine, but doesn't have much reserve capacity. If you want to cut a little weight easily and be able to quickly reverse the mod, then go this route.
2. I relocated my full size battery to the rear passenger side of my '94 way back in '96. The guys who say it's not worth it are NOT DRAG RACERS even if they say/think they are. This is a great mod for a car that see's quarter mile duty. It definitely helped my 60' and weight transfer, no question.
It is a very basic, logical mod for someone who is seriously into drag racing.
3. Yeah, you are supposed to have a cutoff switch mounted in the back of the car, external. I do not and won't until they make me. I've been bitched at a couple times, but just wait until they forget and then I go race again. I DO have a cutoff switch wired in right where the stock battery location is. My '94 is very sleeper when I put the salad shooters back on, and a cutoff switch would give it away...
1. I have a Hawker Odessey on my '99. It's often in a daily driver role and has never been to the track, so I can't post any ET results from doing it. However, it is surely an easy way to cut about 24 lbs off the nose of the car and the battery turns over a stock internals LS1 fine, but doesn't have much reserve capacity. If you want to cut a little weight easily and be able to quickly reverse the mod, then go this route.
2. I relocated my full size battery to the rear passenger side of my '94 way back in '96. The guys who say it's not worth it are NOT DRAG RACERS even if they say/think they are. This is a great mod for a car that see's quarter mile duty. It definitely helped my 60' and weight transfer, no question.
It is a very basic, logical mod for someone who is seriously into drag racing.3. Yeah, you are supposed to have a cutoff switch mounted in the back of the car, external. I do not and won't until they make me. I've been bitched at a couple times, but just wait until they forget and then I go race again. I DO have a cutoff switch wired in right where the stock battery location is. My '94 is very sleeper when I put the salad shooters back on, and a cutoff switch would give it away...
11 Second Club
Joined: May 2003
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From: USA-WEST MONROE, LOUISIANA
When I used it, I prefer the lightweight battery upfront because of weight savings. For good sixty foot, just worked on the suspension and fine tune with adjustable shocks and worth more than .01 as with battery. My car is still a street car, but generally just drives to the track and back. To each his own. Cheers.......
On The Tree
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: St.louis
I guess u make a good point,If I put the Hawker back up front w/the small catch can and use a piece of alum to mount the small Bat I'd actually be even lighter than now.
I'm needing to buy a battery anyway. It will be a weekend racer car. But I want the light wieght battery. In the trunk or up front. From a punch ever lost pound counts. At the track yes 60's and that is very important to. I ditched the battery hold down also, and am trying to decide if the Hawker's going to go up front with an aluminum hold down, or the rear. I'll put a battery tender on it every time its in the garage.
I dont' know what's more important. 25lbs off the front, or around 12 when put in back. Or Adding 27lbs.
So, poll for drag car:
Loosing 25lbs.............keeping in front LW battery
Loosing 12lbs.............LW battery in rear
Gaining 27lbs............Putting optima in rear
*Gaining as in compared to LW up front.
**Estimating 12lbs for wire and mounting hardware.
correct me if my math is wrong...its late
Its a tuff call but I'm gonna try it up front and in the back (hawker) and see if it works.
If I didnt have my optima in the rear I would just put the hawker up front...
If I didnt have my optima in the rear I would just put the hawker up front...
TECH Regular
Joined: Aug 2003
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That's an easy one! Get a lightweight battery for up-front. Saves you all the hassle & weight of extra wiring, switch, etc.
That's what I did, and I only use the battery when going to the track so it doesnt wear down from the alarm and cold starts. Regular Autozone battery for street use.
Al
That's what I did, and I only use the battery when going to the track so it doesnt wear down from the alarm and cold starts. Regular Autozone battery for street use.
Al
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Melbourne, FL
As far as the passenger side vs. driver side thing when moving the battery to the rear...
When you see the car twist and the driver's side come up while the passenger side go down, what you're actually seeing is the axle trying to rotate in a circle. In essence, the right rear tire is trying to lift itself off the ground, while the left rear is planting itself harder. That's why you put an airbag in the right rear, to keep that side planted evenly. By moving the battery to the right side, you're putting more weight over that tire that's trying to lift itself off the ground.
When you see the car twist and the driver's side come up while the passenger side go down, what you're actually seeing is the axle trying to rotate in a circle. In essence, the right rear tire is trying to lift itself off the ground, while the left rear is planting itself harder. That's why you put an airbag in the right rear, to keep that side planted evenly. By moving the battery to the right side, you're putting more weight over that tire that's trying to lift itself off the ground.
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From: Albuquerque NM - The Land of 8000ft DA
Originally Posted by GeorgeC
As far as the passenger side vs. driver side thing when moving the battery to the rear...
When you see the car twist and the driver's side come up while the passenger side go down, what you're actually seeing is the axle trying to rotate in a circle. In essence, the right rear tire is trying to lift itself off the ground, while the left rear is planting itself harder. That's why you put an airbag in the right rear, to keep that side planted evenly. By moving the battery to the right side, you're putting more weight over that tire that's trying to lift itself off the ground.
When you see the car twist and the driver's side come up while the passenger side go down, what you're actually seeing is the axle trying to rotate in a circle. In essence, the right rear tire is trying to lift itself off the ground, while the left rear is planting itself harder. That's why you put an airbag in the right rear, to keep that side planted evenly. By moving the battery to the right side, you're putting more weight over that tire that's trying to lift itself off the ground.
FWIW I made a custom box out of 304L S/S, what we have available at work, and with the cable, box, switch and connectors the total weight was about 25lbs. Thats not including the battery.
TECH Junkie
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Melbourne, FL
It's not body twist that you're trying to combat by moving the battery... The twist is just the result you can SEE. The right rear tire is literally trying to pick itself up off the ground. More weight over that side is more weight on that tire that has less traction.
That being said, I think the difference would be quite minimal with regards to left/ride side placement of the battery. FWIW, mine was in the middle of the t-top storage area, not on either side...
That being said, I think the difference would be quite minimal with regards to left/ride side placement of the battery. FWIW, mine was in the middle of the t-top storage area, not on either side...
Originally Posted by GeorgeC
In essence, the right rear tire is trying to lift itself off the ground, while the left rear is planting itself harder. That's why you put an airbag in the right rear, to keep that side planted evenly. By moving the battery to the right side, you're putting more weight over that tire that's trying to lift itself off the ground.
You are taking weight from where you do not want it (up front) and placing it where some weight is useful.
TECH Junkie
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From: Melbourne, FL
Originally Posted by JS
George would u rather have a 40lb weight over the rear tires or a lighter battey over the rear tires,just curious?
Our cars put a pretty good strain on the electrical system, and need a battery and charging system that's up to the task.
Personally, I'd choose the heavier battery in the rear vs. the lightweight battery in the stock location, but that's just me. There are other benefits to moving the battery, including cleaning up the engine compartment a bit. It's all just a matter of opinion, though...
George,I too was concerned about amps/voltage with the Hawker in the rear of the car and went back to my optima.I'll give up the 25lbs and feel safer my fuel pump is working at capacity 
I had to keep a tender on the car w/the Hawker in the cold weather all last week and didnt feel it was worth it.Looks like I need to find somewhere else I can take 25lbs out the car.
I had to keep a tender on the car w/the Hawker in the cold weather all last week and didnt feel it was worth it.Looks like I need to find somewhere else I can take 25lbs out the car.
I wonder... is it fisable to put the small battery under the hood, and remove the big radiator catch, and install a small qt size can as well? This could be a way to remove about as much actual weight as possible, without moving to the rear.... although that rear weight is not a bad thing..... Any thoughts on that one?
