Battery relocation?

Anybody move their battery to the smuugler's trunk? I'm in the middle of rebuilding the wiring harness in my '66 912 (only one battery-no boxes), and I'm changing a few things and adding a few circuits (relay for H4's, electric fuel pump, 3rd brake light, etc), and plan to install an Optima battery (10"long, 6 7/8" wide, 7 7/8" tall) once the car's ready-and after taking lots of careful measurements, it looks like it'll fit perfectly in the smuggler's trunk-which will free up some trunk space, put the mass of the battery within the wheelbase, and protect it. Has anyone else tried this? Good idea? Bad idea? Taking your calls now.....

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Clay McGuill '66 912, '97 Jeep Cherokee www.geocities.com/the912guy

The Stinger battery is the idea.

It's about half the size of the Optima, and (I believe) has the same power specs. It fits with room to spare in the early car battery boxes, and would allow you to still do some worthwhile smuggling with the extra room around it in your smuggler's box.

It's $175, which is probably more than the Optima, but you don't need any adapting hardware or cable extenders.

I chopped out (and welded shut) one of my battery boxes, so I needed something that would fit in the one remaining box (AC in the smuggler's compartment). For me, the Stinger was a no-brainer, and it's performed just fine since then.


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Jack Olsen
1973 911 T (3.6) sunroof coupe
jackolsen@mediaone.net

[This message has been edited by JackOlsen (edited 04-24-2001).]

What is a Stinger battery?

I am looking for a battery that can cut weight significantly yet has enough power to be used for regular driving. I'm in NoCal so cold weather is not a problem.

Right now I have a conventional car battery, but bought the smallest one I could find. Probably shaves 25 lbs or more off the OEM behemoth in a Carrera. As long as I drive once a week to keep it charged I have no problems.

Going to a lighter battery is probably one of the best bang-for-buck performance upgrades you can make, especially if you are replacing the battery anyway.

I have heard of people using the smugglers box, seems like a good idea. Not only will this reduce the polar moment of inertia when turning, it also places the weight on the passenger side, helping to offset the driver. Even still I want a very light weight battery.

I have seen very light weight racing batteries designed for formula fords and such (12 pounds and less) but I am concerned they won't make it on the street. Either unable to generate enough amperage and or handle the frequent charge cycle.

Anyone have knowledge on this?

Actually, I think it makes more sense to keep the battery mounted forward. Remember that 911 engineers used to add weights to the front bumper to try and keep the tail from getting out of control.

The Stinger site is here. It's a lousy, overbaked web site, but it's a good product.

I have no affiliation, of course, and YMMV.

But I've been happy with mine. It weighs a whopping... 24.9 pounds. That's 15 pounds less than an Optima.

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Jack Olsen
1973 911 T (3.6) sunroof coupe
jackolsen@mediaone.net

[This message has been edited by JackOlsen (edited 04-24-2001).]

I agree with jack. Mount it as far forward as possible. I mounted mine under the hood latch.

I agree with keeping it out front, opposite the driver side.

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Charlie Baer
'79 Euro 911SC

I bought a Champion Vortex (Optima clone) a few months ago. Laid down, it fits into the Driver Side battery box, but sticks out 3 or 4 inches. Was $150 bucks @ Advance Auto parts. Weighs 33.1 lbs...Speaking of balance, I hope to soon put the biggest oil cooler I can find into the Pass Side front fender. Will its weight offset the battery enuff? Will I need to cut out the Pass Side battery tray?

Delbert, the reason to cut out the battery box is not because a bigger cooler will fit (unless you're trying to mount a cooler at an angle in there. But taking it out does give you room for a fan, which is vital if your overheating problems come when you're stuck in slow-moving traffic. It also allows better circulation through the wheel well if you put in a duct or scoop. A Carrera cooler will fit just fine without cutting the battery box out, but it will not get very good air circulation.

Here's my two-cooler setup.

What's your engine-driving situation that you need a huge cooler?

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Jack Olsen
1973 911 T (3.6) sunroof coupe
jackolsen@mediaone.net

[This message has been edited by JackOlsen (edited 04-25-2001).]