Battery In Smuggler's Box?

warment · 09-29-2003, 03:08 AM

Has anyone installed a single battery into the "smuggler's box" of a 1973 911? I think my batteries just went bad in my 73, and I am wondering if I could find a single battery that would fit into the hole. I would like to purchase a nice Optima battery for the task...

Bill

thrown_hammer · 09-29-2003, 03:31 AM

724doorE(Dennis) did it in his '72. I am doing this in my '73 this winter. I hope Dennis sees this thread. He had some good points and also knows what battery fits in there.

304065 · 09-29-2003, 04:32 AM

Bill,

There are a few threads on this. I don't know that I would bother unless you are seriously tracking the car-- you would have to fab up a bracket for the bottom of the smuggler's box, then re-route the battery positive cable from where it exits the tunnel and goes around behind the fuel tank.

You would see a decrease in polar moment from the relocation of the battery and elimination of a few feet of heavy cable. You might also try one of those lightweight Hawker XT16 batteries, I have one in my airplane and it cranks unbelievably well for something so small.

I went with a Stinger in the factory port-side box, works great, about $50 more than the Optima yellow and a few pounds lighter.

724doorE · 09-29-2003, 05:41 AM

There are two positives I see to moving your battery besides the obvious. 1. More space down front and 2. you can also move some wiring and fuses(depending on how busy you want to be) from an area where they can become dirty, wet, and corroded.

You can rerout the cable and wires without and hole cutting and all you really need to do is fit a bracket for the battery to sit on and then clamp it down. There are a truckload of small wet or dry batteries that will fit.

I am not completely done altering my wiring harness, but pm me if you have anyquestions about what I did do.

As John suggests, you probably don't need it for handling in a street car (or race car) but it does tidy up the front, and if you think it feels better you just might drive it better

Chuck Moreland · 09-29-2003, 07:53 AM

I put an Odyssey 15 lbs battery in my '73. Odyssey is made by Hawker, mentioned by John above and yes the power density is amazing. FYI, the Stinger is simply a re-badged Odyssey battery that is marketed to stereo buffs at a $50 premium!

Re-routing the cables is easy. You can simply shorten the existing starter cable and put a new end on it. Then run a 6 guage up to the fuse panel and splice it in.

My install was a little more complex due to the addition of a cutoff switch with dual-remote pull triggers.

click for more

rattlsnak · rattlsnak's Garage

Im one of the ones who started a thread on this not long ago. Although I love the look and functionality, in terms of balance or CG, its worse to do this from that point of view. Mine's going in the front center, and my oil tank is going in the smugglers box.

ttweed · ttweed's Garage

Bill-
Check out this tech article by my mechanic for some ideas.
TT

thrown_hammer · 09-29-2003, 10:39 AM

Excellent article. Any cross-reference #'s for that Interstate battery? DSC-33 doesn't come up at NAPA.

ttweed · ttweed's Garage

No cross reference, but here's the spec page for the DSC-33 so you can compare dimensions, etc.

I am using the drycell Odyssey in my application. but a slightly larger one than Chuck's, the PC925. Check it at this link.

TT

RickM · RickM's Garage

I'm luvin that remote cut-off switch. Good for unwanted drainage and perhaps an effective theft deterrent.

Randy Webb · 09-29-2003, 03:35 PM

Putting the batter in the smuggler's box will have some good effects on "handling" (a tad lower, increased ability to intiiate a spin, and shifting wt. back a bit) and some bad effects (increased liklihood of spin initiation, and shifting wt. back a bit). It may make sense for a race car, but I'm not sure it is worth any trouble for a street car. Also, it will be harder to jump start the car if you ever need to do that.

gumba · 09-29-2003, 03:44 PM

I installed an Optima in the smugglers box in both our '73's. Made my own brackets. The battery fits low enough so I can close the cover. Wevo makes a very slick fiberglass insert for the battery box that holds a battery, has the holes for the cables and a few other features. You may want to contact them for more info & availability. This came out after I did mine.

Vol · Vol's Garage

I out an Optima in the smugglers box in my 71. Was not much trouble and I was glad to get the optima off it's side. Made my own brackets. The box lid closes with no problem. Jump starting is not a problem.

When the Optima dies (it's 9 years old now) I will look at those Odyssey's. I am intriqued at how light they are.

Having done this also gave me the opportunity to have the right side battery box cut off which allows air to flow from the right horn grill to the fender mounted oil cooler.

Vol

71T 3.2

gumba · 09-29-2003, 04:51 PM

Having done this also gave me the opportunity to have the right side battery box cut off which allows air to flow from the right horn grill to the fender mounted oil cooler.
On a different note. Where are you in Burlingame?
I removed both battery boxed, mounted a cooler on ea. side, modified the turn signal housings for yet more air. Reduces the temp 15-25 d. at the track depending on ambient temps.
'73 targa 3.2 track/street
'73 S coupe

thrown_hammer · 09-30-2003, 03:28 AM

Quote:

Also, it will be harder to jump start the car if you ever need to do that.

The article TTweed posted has a nifty solution for jump starting.

Vol · Vol's Garage

[QUOTE]Originally posted by gumba
[B]Having done this also gave me the opportunity to have the right side battery box cut off which allows air to flow from the right horn grill to the fender mounted oil cooler.
On a different note. Where are you in Burlingame?

Hey Gumba,

Your question reminded me to update my profile. Now I am in Alamo. Until June I lived on Channing Road in Burlingame. I think I have seen your place. By the cars you list on your .sig you must be the guy who also has the silver VW's. I especially like the panel wagon or whatever those are called! That is one lovely 73S as well. Too bad we never got to meet!

Vol

71T 3.2
Now in Alamo, a town FULL of amazing cars, by the way.

warment · 10-03-2003, 03:09 PM

I took a look at the dimensions of the available optima batteries. They all look too tall to fit into the box. I am leaning toward a stinger at this point. I am still doing research. It also looks like stinger has a pretty large selection of battery terminals/connections. My left front battery has 4 connections to the positive terminal...

Bill