What Battery

[porsche4life]

Need a new battery for my 86 944. What is everybody running? Looked at Optima but don't know what size.

[jcommin]

Nothing special about mine. I have your basic battery that fits in the space. Have had it for 4 years - works fine. I do use a trickle charger over the winter months when not it use; it prolongs the life of the battery.

There are several here that have Optima batteries and I believe you will get many responses.

[John_AZ]

I copied this from a recent post of mine........................................member had a '86 944 as well.


Usual part used is the 75/25, some use the 75/35.
Optima is a gel battery and you can lay it on its side. Costco sells Optima.

Me?, I will buy a Bosch Battery at Pep Boys to avoid the mounting procedure.

DIY Optima install Credit to owner "MyBlackCar"

(Begin)

Ok, after much experimentation, I have finally found a very quick and cost effective way to install an Optima Red Top 75/35 battery into our cars with stock battery cable setup.

I will edit with pics as soon as I upload the pictures from my camera.

Parts needed:

1 Optima Red Top 75/35 battery (from Costco)
1 set of L to SAE terminals(www.batteriesrus.com) $10.00
1 set of brass marine terminals that use brass bolts and wing nut (Lynx brand @ Kragen or Autozone) $8.49
1 set of wide rubber terminal covers (I got a set from West Marine)
zip ties
5/16 drill bit
Drill
Vise (or clamp)
Angle Grinder or file
X-acto knife or equivalent

Basically, the battery will be installed on its side with the side terminals facing up. In this position, the SAE terminals are in the correct positions to the stock battery cables. What this adapter will do is to allow the use of the SAE adapters to connect to the stock battery cables.

Disassemble the brass marine terminal bolt and wingnut. You will notice threads in the brass marine terminal where the bolt used to be. Fasten the brass marine terminal to the clamp or vise and drill off the threads with the drill bit and drill.
The L to SAE terminals are threaded for 5/16" bolts. This is why the Lynx brass terminals will work perfectly for this application.

Attach the L to SAE terminals to the brass terminal ends using the brass bolt. Keep straight and tighten the bolt until snug. The positive terminal might need some modification to fit properly. Use the angle grinder (or file) to shave some of the brass terminal to fit.

Note: the brass battery disconnect (for the negative terminal only; I got one from Pelican) will work for the negative post, too. The best part is that I can disconnect the battery with 5 twists of my hand instead of scouring for a wrench.

Using the X-acto knife, trim the rubber terminal covers to fit over the brass adapters. The hole will need to be enlarged and the cable connector section will need to be shaved to make room for the battery wire terminals. As added safety, fasten to the brass terminals with the zip ties.

Test fit onto the Optima battery. These adapters will now let you use stock battery cables on the Optima battery when you install into the car.

Note: the stock battery tie-downs will not work for the Optima. I am still figuring out that part. I will edit as I come up with a solution or someone can add to this with a DIY for the hold down or tray (preferably with off the shelf parts at a budget). And no suggesting bungie cords. We need at least some civilized. (end)

GL
John_AZ

1988 924S + 1987 924S

EDIT. I did buy a Bosch 41 at Pep Boys for $95.

[petrolhead611]

To save weight, I just use a significantly smaller ordinary battery with a sufficient CCA rating that is the same width as stock( to enable stock mounting to be used).
I don't have a/c on my car(don't think you could by it on UK models) and the garage kept car is not used in freezing conditions. I have a battery booster available should the batteryy not have enough in it, but haven't utilised it yet.
Car is probably only used once every two weeks so I disconnect battery earth between uses.
.

[bearone2]

size 41 drops right in, no modification required.

see post # 3, laying on it's side and how many steps, time involved to get the batt in/secured.

how much is your time worth?

[porsche4life]

My time is worth less than the mess that a leaking battery causes....


Oh I'd go smaller but uhh it gets like 110 here in the summer. Need me some ac

[ecostellodo]

sears diehard

[bearone2]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

My time is worth less than the mess that a leaking battery causes....


Oh I'd go smaller but uhh it gets like 110 here in the summer. Need me some ac

don't talk hot, 115 several days in phoenix, az this summer and as long as the alternator is doing upper 13's-low 14's, 2500+ rpm, with a/c on at operating temp, no problem.

i was putting out 45-50 deg out the vent all summer.

[HondaDustR]

FWIW, the size of the battery shouldn't really have anything to do with what accessories you plan to use while driving. When the engine is running, the battery becomes just another load on the alternator, which is what is actually supplying the juice to work everything, unless of course it dies. It also puts enough of a constant load to stabilize the alternator output, which is why you should never run without a battery hooked up or you will likely fry the DME. The battery is only needed for stuff when the engine's not running, like starting. Seems to me you could use any battery you can safely mount that will start the car without worrying about anything else. I saw a while back somebody tried one of those ultra light race batteries, but went back to a standard battery because it couldn't cut it for winter starting. Having a big battery is a life saver if your alternator unexpectedly fails! Ask me how I know.

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by ecostellodo

sears diehard

Hey are you in the PCA up there... Maybe I know you...


Anyways Sears isnt really and option as I would have to come up there and find a sears to get it warrantied...