Batteries for the stock trunk mount

[Rainydays]

What kinds of batteries are you guys using in the stock trunk mount? I want to get an Optima but it doesn't seem like the stock hold down will work. Any thoughts?

[noid]

Group 48 and Group 49 batteries fit as stock. The 49 is larger and naturally holds more power.

http://www.rtsauto.com/battery-venting-fitment-and-options-for-most-bmws-and-particularly-e30s/

[jlevie]

The stock hold down won't work with an Optima. You will have to come up with a top clamp hold down.

[Rainydays]

The stock hold down won't work with an Optima. You will have to come up with a top clamp hold down.

Do you know any good ways people have done this? The best idea I've had so far is to just drill some holes in the tray and run some j hooks.

[LJ851]

Interstate is all i use these days.

[Chessmaster]

I also use a interstate battery.

[jlevie]

Do you know any good ways people have done this? The best idea I've had so far is to just drill some holes in the tray and run some j hooks.

Well, you need a little more than that. What you need is a bar that goes across the battery and a pair of draw bolts. The sheet metal of the body needs reinforcement for the pickup points and since the tray is longer than the Optima you need to deal with that also.

For a street car, there is no reason to ues to an Optima. A track or race car is a different matter. But in that case the battery should be relocated to a position between the shock towers. Which means an all new mount built specifically for the Optima.

[noid]

Do you know any good ways people have done this? The best idea I've had so far is to just drill some holes in the tray and run some j hooks.

Don't be "that guy" or "that PO" who jerry rigs stuff for no good reason.

Almost all battery companies make acid filled and/or AGM batteries in group 48 and 49 sizes, both will mount as stock.

[Rainydays]

Don't be "that guy" or "that PO" who jerry rigs stuff for no good reason.

Almost all battery companies make acid filled and/or AGM batteries in group 48 and 49 sizes, both will mount as stock.

The reason I ask is because I try to run Optimas in all my cars. They give me the least trouble, they last longer than most other batteries I've bought, and they're honestly not that expensive. I don't really think the way I have in mind of mounting this will be any less secure than stock. If anything it will be more so. Drilling two holes, running a metal bar underneath as a brace, two j hooks going through tray/bar with a metal tie down between should be more than enough. Definitely more sturdy than just the plastic lip in the tray.

I guess what I really wanted was info from someone who has done it before to see if there was some easier way of doing this or possibly an aftermarket tray/tie down. Oh well...

[noid]

Optima is a subsidiary of Johnson Controls; almost half of the market is Johnson Controls batteries that are relabeled.

Most of everything you will find in north america will be Johnson Controls, Exide or East Penn. If you are looking for quality batteries go with East Penn, they produce in lower batches and in higher quality.

If you want to go all euro and want OEM quality, you know, those batteries that last 12 years? Find a place to get Varta batteries, likely you will have to play a hunting game trying to find an Audi dealership that importers them because there are no USA distributors.

I just dont get what all the effort and modification is worth for such a readily available component, I dont know about where you are but nearly every place around me supplys a 9 year warranty with their batteries.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/electrical-wiring/913442-batteries-optima-alternatives-2.html

[the imitator]

who the hell is this guy?
Welcome to this "forum site" as well, and thank your for contributing your knowledge on this issue.

hi
welcome to this forum site , here u can find lots of things , i suggest u for your question you have to contact any other expert , right now i am not able to give u answer .
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[nando]

who the hell is this guy?
Welcome to this "forum site" as well, and thank your for contributing your knowledge on this issue.

spam..

[Rainydays]

Optima is a subsidiary of Johnson Controls; almost half of the market is Johnson Controls batteries that are relabeled.

Most of everything you will find in north america will be Johnson Controls, Exide or East Penn. If you are looking for quality batteries go with East Penn, they produce in lower batches and in higher quality.

If you want to go all euro and want OEM quality, you know, those batteries that last 12 years? Find a place to get Varta batteries, likely you will have to play a hunting game trying to find an Audi dealership that importers them because there are no USA distributors.

I just dont get what all the effort and modification is worth for such a readily available component, I dont know about where you are but nearly every place around me supplys a 9 year warranty with their batteries.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/elect...natives-2.html

You make a good point. I'll probably end up going with an interstate battery or something then. No point in all the effort involved to modify it for marginal gains.