battery in rear storage area - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

ZR1 MK · 09-30-2005

BATTERY INSTALLATION IN REAR STORAGE COMPARTMENT

The ZR1 Corvette is heaviest at the left front and lightest at the right rear, so this modification is a benefit for better weight distribution. It improves handling, braking and acceleration.
Keep in mind there are quite a few ways to do the installation. Some run cable in the car and use two cables to the original connections. I ran the negative wire to the right rear frame as pictured. The positive wire went over the tunnel and along the frame rail next to the brake lines to a disconnect switch located at original battery location. I used cable designed for low voltage. Some use welding type cable. I actually used that type of cable on a previous car, but a few sources state that welding type cable is not as good for 12 volt systems. Itâ€™s basically a small strand vs large strand issue. I see cable kits available with 4 gauge cable, but I recommend 1 gauge as the smallest cable to use.
I used a piece of 4â€x4â€ wood for the bottom of the rear portion of the storage compartment so the battery would sit flush with the front portion of the compartment. A steel plate is used on the outside bottom portion of the storage compartment to support the clamping rods. I didn't find a battery tray that I liked during installation so I neglected to use one. I thought I would get to it in the future, but didn't. The battery can't be moved if you were to try and move it by hand, but extreme G forces and vibrations will shift it, therefore a tray is required for proper installation. Thatâ€™s why I put a foam block in for track use and tool kits for street use.
I use and highly recommend the Optima battery. Itâ€™s a gel design and therefore its venting requirement is far less than a standard acid battery. I did supply venting holes for my installation as gels do vent regardless of how small. See Optimaâ€™s website (www.optimabatteries.com) for more information on venting and other great battery facts.
I also didn't use a fuse directly at the battery. The portion of cable from the battery to the disconnect switch is unprotected. I don't think this is a problem for my use and needs, but you may want to consider this.
See my website (www.cardomain.com/id/zr1mk) for more pictures of the installation.

Nick · 09-30-2005

Mike, that is a really nice installation! Thanks for posting that.

Z Factor · 09-30-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick

Mike, that is a really nice installation! Thanks for posting that.

I agree

WB9MCW · 10-01-2005

GUD STUFF THERE

02-19-2008

Is it fine using 400 CCA , 55AH battery ?!
cuz i found good Battery to install it in rear storage!
the battery weigh about 13-14 kg . good for reducing weight too.

02-24-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by HADI-ZR1

Is it fine using 400 CCA , 55AH battery ?!
cuz i found good Battery to install it in rear storage!
the battery weigh about 13-14 kg . good for reducing weight too.

I would not recommend that; factory rated CCA is 695, I have 735. I don't know if it would even turn over with 400 CCA.

FU · 02-24-2008

Nice clean install Mike. As usual !! How is your engine project making out ??

ZR1 MK · 03-07-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by FU2

Nice clean install Mike. As usual !! How is your engine project making out ??

Is FU and FU2 the same Frank?
I just happen to stumble on this post. I dont get email notifications on my posts in all the forums that Im involved in, so its hard to keep track. One reason I dont post as often as in the past.
My engine is in the garage waiting for the installation. I just need to schedule it between track events, vacations etc. Its planned to go in after a March 28 track event. Finally after a one year delay.

09-30-2005	#1
ZR1 MK Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: NY Posts: 143	battery in rear storage area BATTERY INSTALLATION IN REAR STORAGE COMPARTMENT The ZR1 Corvette is heaviest at the left front and lightest at the right rear, so this modification is a benefit for better weight distribution. It improves handling, braking and acceleration. Keep in mind there are quite a few ways to do the installation. Some run cable in the car and use two cables to the original connections. I ran the negative wire to the right rear frame as pictured. The positive wire went over the tunnel and along the frame rail next to the brake lines to a disconnect switch located at original battery location. I used cable designed for low voltage. Some use welding type cable. I actually used that type of cable on a previous car, but a few sources state that welding type cable is not as good for 12 volt systems. Itâ€™s basically a small strand vs large strand issue. I see cable kits available with 4 gauge cable, but I recommend 1 gauge as the smallest cable to use. I used a piece of 4â€x4â€ wood for the bottom of the rear portion of the storage compartment so the battery would sit flush with the front portion of the compartment. A steel plate is used on the outside bottom portion of the storage compartment to support the clamping rods. I didn't find a battery tray that I liked during installation so I neglected to use one. I thought I would get to it in the future, but didn't. The battery can't be moved if you were to try and move it by hand, but extreme G forces and vibrations will shift it, therefore a tray is required for proper installation. Thatâ€™s why I put a foam block in for track use and tool kits for street use. I use and highly recommend the Optima battery. Itâ€™s a gel design and therefore its venting requirement is far less than a standard acid battery. I did supply venting holes for my installation as gels do vent regardless of how small. See Optimaâ€™s website (www.optimabatteries.com) for more information on venting and other great battery facts. I also didn't use a fuse directly at the battery. The portion of cable from the battery to the disconnect switch is unprotected. I don't think this is a problem for my use and needs, but you may want to consider this. See my website (www.cardomain.com/id/zr1mk) for more pictures of the installation. __________________ Mike 427 cu in LT5 [URL="http://zr1mk.weebly.com"]http://zr1mk.weebly.com[/URL]

09-30-2005	#2
Nick Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 586	Re: battery in rear storage area Mike, that is a really nice installation! Thanks for posting that. __________________ Nick ZR-1 Net Registry Founding Member #32 - lapsed...

10-01-2005	#4
WB9MCW Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: McHenry, Il. Posts: 6,607	Re: battery in rear storage area GUD STUFF THERE __________________ http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...9mcw/SIG-2.jpg http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o128/wb9mcw/vcm.gif "The Budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed, lest Rome will become bankrupt. People must again learn to work instead of living on public assistance." - Cicero, 55 BC " We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution." - Abraham Lincoln

02-19-2008	#5
HADI-ZR1 Guest Posts: n/a	Re: battery in rear storage area Is it fine using 400 CCA , 55AH battery ?! cuz i found good Battery to install it in rear storage! the battery weigh about 13-14 kg . good for reducing weight too.

02-24-2008	#7
FU Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Found Member Posts: 4,346	Re: battery in rear storage area Nice clean install Mike. As usual !! How is your engine project making out ??