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Old Apr 16, 2002 | 02:50 PM
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Trunk Mount Battery

Anyone put there battery in the trunk?

I see a kit in Summit but it is for the different style battery terminals. I don't want to drop another 80 on a new battery as well as the trunk mount kit.

Any details/Pics appreciated!
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Old Apr 16, 2002 | 03:59 PM
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hey. I bought the kit and installed it...have to make room for a custom dual cold air i am installing. It works quite well..just make sure u have the recharge system set up right . the only problem is that the case is not sealed, and it might just be better to get one that is so that no fumes ( i have heard batteries make toxic fumes unsure if its true...but better safe than sorry) leak out. i do not have any pics of it right now..as i have not completed making it look really nice..i'm not sure how all the interior will end up at this point in my car. It might be just as easy to get the lenght wire and a sealed box..then just do it urself then the kit..it was kinda worth it..but i could think of alot of improvements over it...

das Phoenix
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Old Apr 16, 2002 | 04:00 PM
  #3  
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From: Central CA
Car: 89 Black GTA
Engine: 5.7 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Why are you wanting to put your battery in the trunk? for weight or room for a air system or other?

Brian
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Old Apr 16, 2002 | 05:04 PM
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i put mine in the trunk, its a nice mod. I did it for weight transfer. Not so much the room. I am going to be doing it to my stock car here pritty soon.
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Old Apr 16, 2002 | 06:03 PM
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From: Key West, Florida!
Car: 89RSconvtZZ4TPI
Engine: ZZ4TPI
Transmission: 700R4 TRIPP TRANNY
If you hope to run at an NHRA track with tough tech inspectors get the Moroso sealed battery box. It's NHRA approved. Don't forget the battery cut off switch either.
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Old Apr 16, 2002 | 06:12 PM
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Batteries give off hydrogen gas... you know, the stuff they used in the Hindenberg... Definitely something you don't want inside your car.
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Old Apr 16, 2002 | 08:52 PM
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yes!!i knew it was something dangerous..just not sure what...Thanx! Anyway though..i would probably recommend just piecing the kit togther rather than buying the premade kit..just a thought.

das Phoenix
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Old Apr 18, 2002 | 07:25 AM
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I am putting a Paxton on my car and don't like the air cleaner set up. The battery is supposed to be rotated 90 degrees. I don't care much for this set up. I want to put the battery in the trunk which will leave more room for the air cleaner. Also, Any weight transfer benefit would be a blessing.
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Old Apr 18, 2002 | 10:33 AM
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From: Warsaw, Indiana
Car: 1991 Firebird
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Dude, buy the summit kit, cut the ends off and put side posts on. There is no way you can piece it together for that price. I did that route. I also mounted my starter solenoid in the rear, which cures some hot start probs. As for the gas, instead of buying that expensive moroso box you could buy a sealed (all are sealed) optima. Or you could just stick your batt in the rear like I did for two years. If the batt gives off hydrogen don't you think placing the batt in the car would be safer than by a hot engine?? It will be fine.
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Old Apr 18, 2002 | 10:45 AM
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I've been looking at it. It is like 42 bucks. I wasn't sure abou the terminals. I hear they make old stlye terminals that screw into the side terminals and convert to a post style. I'm not worried about gas in the interior 1 bit. I haven't had any hot start problems yet but I also never ran the engine with the blower.
Thanks

TB
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Old Apr 18, 2002 | 11:16 AM
  #11  
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Car: 84 SVO
Engine: Volvo headed 2.3T
Transmission: WCT5
Axle/Gears: 8.8" 3.73
Need to vent any interior battery to the outside...the reason it won't explode under the hood is the fact that underhood isn't sealed off..where as the interior is more often then not, sealed. It's not the presence of Hydrgen thats bad, its the density... Batteries only give off gas when charging, wouldn't take long while driving with the AC then need a cigarette and boom.. Get a sealed Optima or use a sealed case with a 3/4 hose run to the outside, just pop a hole thru or find a grommet to pass it thru. Make sure the case and battery is solidly bolted to the floor, otherwise its a 40 pound missle in an accident. cheers, Bob
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Old Apr 18, 2002 | 11:16 AM
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From: Dale City, VA
Car: 91 GTA and 85 IROC
Engine: 355
Transmission: gear jammer
Axle/Gears: 4.11
Where do you have ya'lls battery disconnect switch at? I still haven't hooked mine up b/c I don't want to drill a hole through my tail light assembley or my plastic bumper.
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Old Apr 18, 2002 | 11:20 AM
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From: the garage
Car: 84 SVO
Engine: Volvo headed 2.3T
Transmission: WCT5
Axle/Gears: 8.8" 3.73
I plan to pop mine thru the passenger side backup light or thru the upper right of the rear tag.
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Old Apr 18, 2002 | 04:18 PM
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You wont have any fumes coming off the battery. If you were to get some it is a bad battery and you will know its time to replace it.
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Old Apr 18, 2002 | 04:53 PM
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From: the garage
Car: 84 SVO
Engine: Volvo headed 2.3T
Transmission: WCT5
Axle/Gears: 8.8" 3.73
Originally posted by KDoggsPimpJetta
You wont have any fumes coming off the battery. If you were to get some it is a bad battery and you will know its time to replace it.

gotta raise the flag on this one....
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Old Apr 25, 2002 | 08:11 AM
  #16  
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I got the Summit kit. It came in yesterday. I did a quick look around the trunk after work. I know I need to put this as close to the right as possible. Where did you locate your battery? Also how did you run the cable? Inside the car or underneath? I didn't crawl under the car yet but it looks a little tricky to rout the cable under the care with the exhaust and suspension in the way.

Thanks,

TB
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Old Apr 25, 2002 | 08:43 AM
  #17  
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From: Warsaw, Indiana
Car: 1991 Firebird
Engine: 427 LSX
Transmission: Turbo 400
I did it inside the car. If I were to do it again, I would use this thing that allows the wire itself not to penetrate the sheetmetal. Summit sells one. Otherwise use a big grommet.
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Old Apr 25, 2002 | 10:58 AM
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From: the garage
Car: 84 SVO
Engine: Volvo headed 2.3T
Transmission: WCT5
Axle/Gears: 8.8" 3.73
Remember to mount your battery so that the internal plates of the battery are perpendicular 90*'s to the rear bumper. Not doing this may cause the plates to sway and break inside the battery..thus crapping out the battery. The connector referred to is called a bulkhead connector. I recommend that the cable be run under the car. Use split loom if available and mount with clamps and ties, watching for anything that moves and away from any fuel lines. Reason I say this is from years as an installer, I have seen many interiors ruined from a shorted cable that melted and caught fire. cheers, Bob
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Old Apr 25, 2002 | 11:13 AM
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From: Warsaw, Indiana
Car: 1991 Firebird
Engine: 427 LSX
Transmission: Turbo 400
Ok, I would have no idea if the plates are running parallel to the axis of the car or not. What I would do is mount it the same way as stock referring to the axis position.


Under the car?? You are advising not installing a fuse?? I believe that BMWs and other cars have factory rear batteries, think they ran the cable under the car? I just think it is too unprotected. What do car stereo amp installers do?? Not under the car. What if you run over something and it damages the wire??
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Old Apr 25, 2002 | 11:23 AM
  #20  
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From: Dale City, VA
Car: 91 GTA and 85 IROC
Engine: 355
Transmission: gear jammer
Axle/Gears: 4.11
Originally posted by SATURN5
I plan to pop mine thru the passenger side backup light or thru the upper right of the rear tag.
Is it safe to clamp it to the bumper?
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Old Apr 25, 2002 | 12:00 PM
  #21  
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Hey Saturn5,

It is good to hear from someone that has done many installations. I am not a mechanic but have always done my own work(with a few exceptions). Installing a bettery in the trunk seems like a no brainer but the fact that this is a hatchback car makes it a little more tricky. The actual trunk(if you call it that is actually a little well about 1' by 3' section of the hatch.) On the other side of the "trunk: is the gas tank/suspension exhaust. If you have installed 1 ina 3rd gen Camaro how did you avoid all this by running it under the car?
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Old Apr 25, 2002 | 12:19 PM
  #22  
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From: the garage
Car: 84 SVO
Engine: Volvo headed 2.3T
Transmission: WCT5
Axle/Gears: 8.8" 3.73
Originally posted by GofasterFirebird
Ok, I would have no idea if the plates are running parallel to the axis of the car or not. What I would do is mount it the same way as stock referring to the axis position.

< Plates run parallel to the short side of a battery, and are stacked in like a file cabinet. Keeping it in the same axis as stock is correct.


Under the car?? You are advising not installing a fuse?? I believe that BMWs and other cars have factory rear batteries, think they ran the cable under the car? I just think it is too unprotected. What do car stereo amp installers do?? Not under the car. What if you run over something and it damages the wire??

< As a retired installer both Rockford trained and MECP certified and at one time an IASCA install judge, yes I would have a fuse within 18" of the battery for any stereo system and would run it inside. For a "race" stye rear mount system I would run the cable outside and without a fuse. (show me one that handles 800 CCA). Reason being is have you ever had a starter or soleniod hang? It will heat up that 0 or 00 gauge wire like an electric oven, in seconds, been there, seen it happen, thankfully it was a underhood battery and didnt burn my buddies 67 SS 396 Chevelle. What I have done and will do with mine is run a Ford soleniod in the rear and run a second "purple" wire to it to engage during start only. Back to the battery I will run what I would do with a stereo system, fused 4 ga foreward to a fender mounted terminal for the electrical system. ( i'll move everything off the starter)

Running the cable along the inside or outside of a frame rail should provide protection from impacts and odds are your exhaust hangs lower...



As far as bolting to the bumper you need to check out NHRA's rule book..

and as always, batterys need vented to the outside, cheers, Bob
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Old Apr 25, 2002 | 12:32 PM
  #23  
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From: the garage
Car: 84 SVO
Engine: Volvo headed 2.3T
Transmission: WCT5
Axle/Gears: 8.8" 3.73
Originally posted by TBurke
Hey Saturn5,

It is good to hear from someone that has done many installations. I am not a mechanic but have always done my own work(with a few exceptions). Installing a bettery in the trunk seems like a no brainer but the fact that this is a hatchback car makes it a little more tricky. The actual trunk(if you call it that is actually a little well about 1' by 3' section of the hatch.) On the other side of the "trunk: is the gas tank/suspension exhaust. If you have installed 1 ina 3rd gen Camaro how did you avoid all this by running it under the car?
I havent done any rear mounted batterys in an F-body, have done too many hatch boxes...lol Looking at one, I would make a 16 ga Z plate to extend the notch on the passide of the well and bolt the plate to the floor and the battery box/plate to the notch. Dont run any screws thru the front of the well as you all know the tank is there. I would look to run the cable to the spare tire area and look for a way thru. Then run along the pass side frame rail, up to the starter. See the above post for more info. cheers, Bob
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Old Apr 25, 2002 | 12:32 PM
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From: Warsaw, Indiana
Car: 1991 Firebird
Engine: 427 LSX
Transmission: Turbo 400
Exactly what I did with my starter solenoid and the 4 gauge wire. I ran one wire for my starter and one wire to power my accessories. I see no reason to run the accessory wire outside the car.
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