Where is the best place to put the battery in a speedster build?
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Extra weight is needed in the front for high speed (even 60 mph) handling and braking so most are in nose. Down side is a long heavy duty copper (welding gauge) wire is needed to the starter way in the back. I even added a larger fuel tank for more weight in front. DrClock add a bag of rocks to determine benefit of extra weight (Beer would be more useful though).
Seems all great handling cars aim for a 50/50 F to R weight ratio with weight as low in ground as possible. New Miata MX5 (Miata) claims 50/50 with driver in the seat.
Tanks for your ideas, I'll try the heaver cable because its hard to get it to turn over good.
Check ground cable too --- bolted securely to clean metal frame and same heavy gauge wire.
Greg,
Beer may make more sense but wouldn't the weight distribution change as you drink it? Maybe rocks are a better idea after all.
Just moves back 3 feet from front --- til the next pit stop!
Bob:
You might consider replacing the starter with a new one, too.
At least pull the one in there now and have a local automotive electrical shop rebuild it for you. Should make a world of difference.
Originally Posted by Frank C.:
Greg,
Beer may make more sense but wouldn't the weight distribution change as you drink it? Maybe rocks are a better idea after all.
What would sustain you in an emergency?
Al has a point of course.
4 gage wire is big enough from positive side of battery to starter. I only use new starters and never have seen any reliable "starter rebuilding shops" in my area. Nobody seems to rebuild starters, but only replace them.
The Bosch SR17X, which is the heavy duty starter and bolts on the same way as the smaller starters is available through O'Reilly Auto Parts, if you have these stores in your area. It does not require any bushing replacement as the starter is self-supporting, like "normal" starters used on 99% of most cars. Also, the HP rating is about 1.5HP, compared to the smaller starter only having about.8HP rating. The price is only about $50 from O'Reilly and remanufactured in the USA, so buy American re-built products. This starter will turn over and start up 200HP engine with 9:1 CR.
I use at least a 550 to 600 CCA top post battery, mounted up front and keep my gas tank close to full, for weight on the front. Properly set up with soft shocks, there should be no handling problems with regard to how the speedster drives at speeds. A common problem is stiff shocks, meaning gas filled ones or too stiff on the torsion bars, up front. I use the lowest cost hydraulic ones, made by Monroe or Grabriel ( spelling?) brands. It's like what VW originally used on their Beetles which only have 500 pounds weight on the front axle.
Have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving Day to all --- George K. ---
Good points, George, especially the front shocks. It's been the topic of discussion before, but it bears repeating.
And Frank- just looking out for my fellow SOC'ers, bud!