Battery Upgrade

Ok, this is what I need to know. I have a 1971 911E which is equiped with two batteries. I would like to do a battery upgrade using the optima battery (SpiralCell Design) which would only require one battery.
Has any done this upgrade on the early model 911's? How much of a pain was it, or did it just consist of eliminating the second battery on the right along with its battery cable and then mounting the new one.
Also what is the difference between the SpirelCell batteries (Standard and Deep Cycle.) Is one better then the other?
Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks


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I have a lot of experience here: You are wise to upgrade to an OPTIMA battery, however I would suggest going to your local CarQuest or NAPA and have them sell it to you. CARQUEST saved me almost $70 over Performance and Tweeks, not counting the savings in time and shipping, since the parts store had it in stock.

You will want the RED TOP OPTIMA - it has unbelievable power and it will sustatin it for an unbelievable amount of time. It recharges very quickly, has no acid to leak or boil out, can be mounted in any position and has an outstanding warrenty to boot.

The Yellow Top is a DEEP CYCLE battery; best for cars with heavy duty accessoiries such as my Range Rover with a X9 SuperWinch, HUGE stereo, and offroad lights.

I have the Red Top in my 1977 911S and my 87 Turbo Buick (600+ HP) with a killer multi-amp stereo and have NEVER been dissapointed by OPTIMA.

Randy,
ditto on all ViperKiller said. I just put one in my 66, it had only one battery but quite a bit smaller (therefore the trey was too small). I cut a piece og plywood the outside shape of the bottom of the optima. Then figured where it would fit, pretty much where the old one was. I then colered the plywood with milar and created a fiberglass and carbon fiber trey. (the materials I had, but if you figure the cost of the hours I put in, you begin to understand why custom stuff is so expensive) The trey bolts/screws to the floor of the 'trunk' with a 1" nylon strap under it. The battery fits perfectly and the strap holds it in place. Light , clean, and strong!
Good luck,
Ernie

You can pretty much use any old POS in your old 911 with a 1 battery setup. I had an Optima in my 71, It just slid into the mounting hole sideways. If you are serious about performance you should mount it on the right side. A little extra weight over there will help counterbalance you sitting in the drivers seat. Most people put them on the left because its simpler and closer to the fuse box I guess. I don't think you would notice it on the street. It can make a difference keeping your right wheel from locking up first under extreme braking.

I'm doing this with my 73 right now, but I'm usding the Stinger battery, not the Optima. It's the same technology (same specs all around, I'm told), with one important difference: it's smaller. It fits in your existing tray/battery box with no mods necessary.

I know that some people like to put the Optima in the smuggler's trunk, but I had A/C stuff there. For the original boxes, the Stinger seems a better choice than the Optima. But I still haven't put it in, so I can't say that conclusively. Has anyone else used a Stinger?

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Jack Olsen
1973 911 T (3.6) sunroof coupe

I agree with Jack and one added benefit, is that the Stinger battery is lighter by a little. The Stinger is a wonderful battery with the same specks as the Optima without the mounting hassles. The Stinger is actually smaller than the original batteries that we had to use in both fenders.

BTW, I have been using the Stinger for over a year and the car sits for long periods of time... I have yet to have a problem starting my car. Make sure your ground strap is good, however. I mounted mine in the passenger side fender and the ground was a bit flakey. Drained the battery down, or so I thought. new ground cable and it started right up.

certainly, a good upgrade project. What do you do to the cables of the
second battery to make it inactive.

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simon
911.70-T

Simon,

If your car still has the factory battery positive connector, just loosen the clamping bolts with a 10 mm six-point socket or box-end wrench, and remove the entire clamp, wire-brush both connector parts and battery cable, apply Dow Corning 111 silicone grease, and reassemble connector with just one conductor. Your choice as to whether to leave the second cable in place or remove entirely!

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa

Well thanks for all the info. I decided to go with the stinger because of its smaller size. I beleave it will work out nicely.
Again thanks for all the information.

Randy

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I'm in the market for new batteries. To show my ignorance, who makes the Stinger? Was it purchased at a local auto parts store?

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Brian Scotti
'73 S Coupe

Originally posted by bscotti:
I'm in the market for new batteries. To show my ignorance, who makes the Stinger? Was it purchased at a local auto parts store?

brian, you can go to there web site and they give a list of there dealers. I'll try to post the web address in a little while.

Found the web page OK. Is only one battery necessary with the Stinger? Which size/capacity do you all recommend?

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Brian Scotti
'73 S Coupe

Originally posted by bscotti:
Found the web page OK. Is only one battery necessary with the Stinger? Which size/capacity do you all recommend?

Brian, The smaller one is plenty.

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Originally posted by bscotti:
Found the web page OK. Is only one battery necessary with the Stinger? Which size/capacity do you all recommend?

And yes, one battery is plenty.

You don't need any special battery to run with only one on an early car.

I have a Die Hard sitting sideways in the drivers side battery box. It starts, runs and charges exactly the same as before. Not only that, the spare tire fits down where it should now.

BTW, there are a handful of earlier threads on the subject of how to. I know I participated in one, so search for my username and you'll see Warren giving step by step (10 minutes and you're done) instructions.

Good luck.

Originally posted by 1969_911S:
You don't need any special battery to run with only one on an early car.

I have a Die Hard sitting sideways in the drivers side battery box. It starts, runs and charges exactly the same as before. Not only that, the spare tire fits down where it should now.

BTW, there are a handful of earlier threads on the subject of how to. I know I participated in one, so search for my username and you'll see Warren giving step by step (10 minutes and you're done) instructions.

Good luck.

1969_911S,

Your absolutely right. But one of the reasons I want to go to the this stile battery is the regular types have acide that will boil over and the old types also are one of the main reason the early porsches rust so bad up front. The gel type batteries last a lot longer,charge quicker and can be discharged completely down and recharged again without any side affects. So with this in mind along with the other benefits is way I'm going with the stinger battery,