I'm looking into moving my battery to the spare tire well for better weight transfer. I want it to be NHRA legal, with a sealed box and cutoff switch and I wanted to hear what some of you have used for the box and switch, how you wired it and how its been working. I just bought an Optima red top and I was thinking of going with either the Moroso blue box or Summits sealed aluminum box. I want to mount the box to the bottom of the spare tire well like I saw in this guide that I found. Does the on/off switch have to be the push/pull type or can it be the external turn off switch to be legal?
And does anyone know of any other online guides to this, this was the only one I found and I wanted to get some more info before buying all this stuff. Thanks.

 

I made my own box to put the battery on the drivers side in the back. Im going to use a red top as well, and using a switch similar to LJs, but mine turns to shut off instead of pushing

 

As far as an on/off switch the rule book state that the switch may not be plastic (no brainer).
If turn style the off position must be clearly labled with "OFF."
If a push pull switch is used, off must be the pushed in position.

If using a push switch hidden in the tail light the hole must be a minimum of 1/8" in diameter.

I would have to get my rule book for box specs but if you are buying a premade box you won't need that info.

 

Gregg, you need to bolt the box to the frame. The Moroso box is a little too big to fit. If you don't use a box you must install a bulk head. Wolfe makes one. Just a peice of metal covering the rear hatch area. I think that I'm going with the BMR box, Optima battery, Flame river switch, and Moroso cable kit, with the Wolfe bulkhead at the end of this season.

 

Here is a link to my pics.

Rear Battery Install

Also the box must be vented to the outside as well.

 

Looks good Ken although I am a fan of stealth like LJ so I am using the taillight rod thingy. That is the same switch that I have.

Why buy a bulkhead and spend all the extra money instead of just buying a sealed box?

IMO, the cable kits are a ripoff, just go down to your local welding shop and get some welding cable. A shop here had a piece of 37' 1/0 they gave me for 30 dollars

 

Kaz, I've seen some guys running the battery in the t-top spot at the Grove which I assume is just bolted through the floor, if they could do that I thought I could just bolt it to the bottom of the spare tire well. I think I will try Summit's aluminum box in that spot like the guy did in the writeup.

Ken, so that turn switch is ok for NHRA tracks? That's what I wanted to use, just making sure it's ok and that I don't have to use a push/pull. Nice pics of your install too. Thanks for all the feedback guys.

 

Neatest solution to the "battery in the back with big ugly switch" that I ever saw was on George Baxter's street driven 9.04-second 30th SS convertible. The Optima battery was hung on its side, under the car, on the right side, just in front of the bumper cover.... outside the car, hence no "box" or "firewall" issues. Then he put the rotary master cutoff switch on the subframe, next to the battery, and had a removable extension made for the handle, that extended back past the bumper. The handle was only installed at the track. Only sign of the switch during street driving was a small "ON/OFF" label on the bumper, that I made for him in matching 30th SS orange.

You can just barely see it in this photo.

 

I am one that runs that battery in the back in the moroso box and the puch flaming river switch. I run back at the grove, you may have seen my car. As far as what I was told, it need to be a push switch, not a turn one. If you have more questions I can help. I used the optima red top battery also, and it doesn't need vented as it is sealed. And yes I just bolted the box to the floor.Randy
I have some pics here.
http://members.fbody.com/furely/

 

Fred, I really like that idea, I'm thinking of getting a buddy of mine whose good at welding make me up a bracket to mount it down there. That would solve a lot of problems and it would be a cool spot to hang it. Thanks.

Randy, I met you at the Grove in November, that was the last time I ran the car. I kind of thought I had to use a push switch especially at that track. Thanks for the pics again of your install, I remember checking your car out that day.

 

I think Aeorquip makes a billet mount for the Optima, but its pricey. George's was bent out of aluminum, and included a complete "shield" on the side of the battery that faced the road.

I think back to when I first met him... maybe 1998. A bunch of people who hooked up on the 'net were supposed to meet in a parking lot, and caravan to a car show. George and I are the only ones who show up, and he's telling me about his 700+HP Vortech blown 383.... and I'm thinking "sure ". He fires it up, and I know, "this is not your father's Camaro SS"..... pulls out onto Rt 22 in Bridgewater, and smokes the tires for at least 1,000-ft..... When I finally catch up to him, I see the battery mounted under the right rear fender, and I know the car is for reallllll

I don't think anyone ever realized how much of his own personal effort and knowledge went into that car.... everyone just assumed he was a rich guy with a fat check book. But most of what he did were his own ideas, and done by him.

The car is now set up to run in the low 8's, and has the HP to do it.... and it still has the Optima in the back, and my label on it...... .

Maybe time for new plates.......

 

No, it can be a push or turn mechanism. And yes your box must be vented even if your battery is sealed.


Fred,

Thats a hell of an idea, any more pics? Only thing I would be worried about is some bastard stealing the battery.

 

quote:
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Originally posted by furely
I am one that runs that battery in the back in the moroso box and the puch flaming river switch. I run back at the grove, you may have seen my car. As far as what I was told, it need to be a push switch, not a turn one. If you have more questions I can help. I used the optima red top battery also, and it doesn't need vented as it is sealed. And yes I just bolted the box to the floor.Randy
I have some pics here.
http://members.fbody.com/furely/
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No, it can be a push or turn mechanism. And yes your box must be vented even if your battery is sealed.

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At Maple Grove when I checked, it had to be a push switch and with and Optima Battery it did not have to be vented. Passed tech every time, and each time they usually said how well done it was.

 

one thing to remember for people relocating batteries is that if you car is a hatchback (Fbody) i think the box needs to be metal, doesnt matter what metal but im almost positive it cannot be a plastic box.

so keep that in mind, and even if its not a rule i think id rather have a metal box over a pastic one anyway.

 

You can use plastic, as long as it is the Moroso box, I am not sure if there are any other approved plastic ones.

Gregg; I remember you back at the Grove, I would assume that you will be back this year. Any new changes done to your car for the season? I will probably see you around.