Aftermarket battery

[speed-wiz]

One of my first mods to this car will be a lightweight battery. I have had good luck with Odyssey batteries in the past, but I haven't bought one in several years. I'm curious what other lightweight batteries people have used that are a good combination of weight savings, reliability, and reasonable cost.

[Neutral_Eyes]

Brailles are pretty light. I've never had a good battery experience from units I purchased, though the original Panasonic in my Miata lasted 8 years in Arizona heat. What if... the stocker's decent?

[speed-wiz]

Originally Posted by Neutral_Eyes

What if... the stocker's decent?

That would be great. Worth keeping for a while anyway.

I've seen Brailles in several Lotus.

[RRnold]

Originally Posted by Neutral_Eyes

Brailles are pretty light. I've never had a good battery experience from units I purchased, though the original Panasonic in my Miata lasted 8 years in Arizona heat. What if... the stocker's decent?

The Brailles are overpriced. You can get the Deka/Magnapower batteries for a lot less and are essentially the equivalent. I remember seeing a thread on the VW and Honda forum about guys using lawnmower/ATV/motorcycle batteries as long as the CC amps were the same and putting them on tenders when parked.

[MrVito]

Originally Posted by RRnold

The Brailles are overpriced. You can get the Deka/Magnapower batteries for a lot less and are essentially the equivalent. I remember seeing a thread on the VW and Honda forum about guys using lawnmower/ATV/motorcycle batteries as long as the CC amps were the same and putting them on tenders when parked.

Ghetto fabulous

[RRnold]

Originally Posted by MrVito

Ghetto fabulous

For guys who own motos with lightweight batteries, it's more common than you think.

My bike is actually connected to one as we speak and here is another Duc on a tender. That's the tradeoff for going with a smaller battery.

[old greg]

Originally Posted by MrVito

Ghetto fabulous

Originally Posted by RRnold

and here is another Duc on a tender. That's the tradeoff for going with a smaller battery.

Actually, those alligator clips are ghetto fabulous. Somebody needs to buy that guy a quick disconnect for Christmas.

EDIT:

OP, take a look at Ballistic Performance. They're a bit spendy, but light as hell. Their batteries are intended for motorcycles, but they make one for big displacement, high compression Harleys that has more than enough juice for a 2.0L four cylinder. It weighs 3lbs and has more CC Amps and Amp Hours than a 18lb Braille AGM battery for only $60 more ($270 total). For comparison's sake, the lightest battery Braille makes, with similar capacity, weighs 9 lbs and costs $2000.

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by MrVito

Ghetto fabulous

Depends on the usage of the car. For a street car I agree, but for a race car it's just fine.

Speed: Since the battery on this car is right against (or basically against) the firewall on the passenger side a light battery will make a much smaller difference compared to a car that has a front mounted (right behind headlights, etc.. in front of the axle) battery.

Same weight difference on both battery locations, but the effects on handling are different. Just as I've done with my Hondas that have a similar placement (except literally against the firewall) I'll be leaving it alone.

[tripjammer]

Originally Posted by old greg

Actually, those alligator clips are ghetto fabulous. Somebody needs to buy that guy a quick disconnect for Christmas.

EDIT:

OP, take a look at Ballistic Performance. They're a bit spendy, but light as hell. Their batteries are intended for motorcycles, but they make one for big displacement, high compression Harleys that has more than enough juice for a 2.0L four cylinder. It weighs 3lbs and has more CC Amps and Amp Hours than a 18lb Braille AGM battery for only $60 more ($270 total). For comparison's sake, the lightest battery Braille makes, with similar capacity, weighs 9 lbs and costs $2000.

The Ballistic is on sale right now..

http://www.solomotoparts.com/product...0&cat=0&page=1

$242.95...for the 3 pound 16 cell EVO 2 lithium battery

[RRnold]

Originally Posted by old greg

Actually, those alligator clips are ghetto fabulous. Somebody needs to buy that guy a quick disconnect for Christmas.

EDIT:

OP, take a look at Ballistic Performance. They're a bit spendy, but light as hell. Their batteries are intended for motorcycles, but they make one for big displacement, high compression Harleys that has more than enough juice for a 2.0L four cylinder. It weighs 3lbs and has more CC Amps and Amp Hours than a 18lb Braille AGM battery for only $60 more ($270 total). For comparison's sake, the lightest battery Braille makes, with similar capacity, weighs 9 lbs and costs $2000.

They come with a quick connect so it all comes down to personal preference. <Mine is on quick connects.

Originally Posted by tripjammer

The Ballistic is on sale right now..

http://www.solomotoparts.com/product...0&cat=0&page=1

$242.95...for the 3 pound 16 cell EVO 2 lithium battery

Damn 242.95 for 3 lbs!! You can shit out 3 lbs and that won't cost you anything!


Anyone looking at the Braille, it's the same as the Deka and around under a $100.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?2353060

http://www.dekabatteries.com/default.aspx?pageid=510

[quik1987]

Cayman R battery

[Racelex]

On my previous car, I had a Deka battery that was approx 11lbs. Forgot the model and specs on the battery, but the results surprised me. I did not think changing to a lightweight one would have that much effect on handling. Lost about 35lbs under the hood, but the downside was that I had to switch back to OEM battery for winter. The Deka just didn't do well at temps below 10 degrees celcius and it won't crank the car at anything below 5 degrees celcius.

Overall if you're into making your car handle good, then it's a good modification. Switching batteries wasn't a big hassle for me.

[dominican]

Originally Posted by speed-wiz

One of my first mods to this car will be a lightweight battery. I have had good luck with Odyssey batteries in the past, but I haven't bought one in several years. I'm curious what other lightweight batteries people have used that are a good combination of weight savings, reliability, and reasonable cost.

I've been using an Odyssey battery in my Prelude for about 4 years now, never did me wrong. I'll be getting one for the FR-S whenever I buy it.

[tripjammer]

Originally Posted by quik1987

Cayman R battery

Wow that is a tight battery! I wonder how much it weighs?