Bosch battery "Size 49" for 89 Carrera 3.2?

[Franks89-911]

Hi all,

My 89 Carrera needs a new battery. Found a Bosch battery on Pepboys.com - with a 30% discount the price comes under $120 (originally $176).

Bosch Premium Performance Battery Group Size 49
Part # 49-850B SKU: 9073755
Stats: ◦CCA: 850 - 850CCA/1000CA - RESERVE MIN = 120 - OE CCA: 850

http://www.pepboys.com/product/details/9073755/00314/1988/PORSCHE/911%2520Series/0/6-3164%25203.2L%2520SOHC

Anyone have any experience, good or bad, putting this battery in their babies?

[azhodge]

if you are putting the battery in yourself, while you have the old one out remove the ground wire and clean/polish the connection point to the body. which is a good idea for all ground points in car. I opted for a smaller battery, which complicates mounting points but the 49 is huge and I think was sized for german winters.

[darrin]

On my 86 carrera, I went with a group 48 AGM battery I bought at a local advance auto (AutoCraft Platinum AGM Battery, Group Size H6, 760 CCA H6-AGM: Advance Auto Parts). It's a bit shorter than the standard group 49 battery, but my carrera's battery tray area already came pre-cofigured with a screw to hold in the shorter group 48 battery -- the slightly smaller size made it FAR easier to get the battery into place. Using a discount coupon (see http://www.retailmenot.com/view/advanceautoparts.com), you can get this for a reasonable price -- It's also an AGM (advanced glass mat -- the same sealed technology used by Optima) == being spill proof, it gives me peace of mind over a traditional "wet" cell.

[gamin]

darrin beat me to the punch. I too put a group 48 AGM battery in the 88. The old group 49 interstate had lasted 12 years so I went with their AGM. As darrin says the tray is predrilled and the 48 fits perfectly. Saved some weight too. An AGM battery isn't going to cause you any corrosion problems. The group 49 is too heavy and too large.

[pmax]

The group 49 is also used in SUV's and is one heavy s.b 50lbs !
Porsche could have chosen the battery as a counterweight.

[RSTarga]

The shorter battery is also easier to fit when the front condenser fan is there.

[GMR911]

My son has a group 49 in his 85 911. Always a chore removing and instaling it every fall/spring. I think next year will just keep a tender on it. i opted for group 48 for my 77 911. Mush easier to remove and install. almost as much power!

[Jack Stands]

Size 48 is infinitely easier to install. I wonder if they speed a group 49 for cars without the front AC condenser and blower, and never changed it. It's damn near impossible to get that 49 in there with the condenser fan.

Having the battery terminals more accessible would also help, but unless Optima gets their act together, I'll stick with the group 48 size.

[tsiegwart]

Miata battery, save you some weight. I almost went with the group 48 last weekend, but said what the heck, let's really reduce the mass effect.

Cutting board and some battery tie down parts make up the battery box that it is held in with. The screw down tab that would hold your size 48 grips the cutting board.

Vroom vroom

[93nav]

Any comments on this battery? Supposedly the correct one for a 1976 911. I am not even sure if the radio work in my car and the A/C is being eliminated, so no big draws. Battery weighs less also, 28 lbs.

AutoCraft Silver Battery, Group Size 42, 495 CCA 42-1: Advance Auto Parts

[Franks89-911]

Thanks all for the advice.

Backstory: My baby needs a new battery b/c I used a Walmart battery. Never again.

[Curt K]

I just installed the battery Darrin mentions in post #3. Works great. Smaller size is much easier to handle versus the group 49 I removed. Also, my '87 has the second mounting point in the battery tray to secure the battery. +1 on cleaning the grounds.