Dry cell car battery?

[Astre-mutt]

Any one have any experience with dry cell car batteries? I would like to move my the battery from the front to the back of the car. With a dry cell I could lay it down in the spare tire compartment. I have a wagon, and would like to avoid a wet cell inside the car.

[spencerforhire]

They're not actually "dry" cells(like AAA, AA etc.); they're "sealed lead-acid" and can indeed be mounted in different orientations than straight up. The the most popular one out there is Optima Yellow top, six-pack style model. Optima has a bunch of other models, in different colors, for different demands. There's lots of other brands as well, but none of them are cheap- expect to pay about twice the price of normal "wet" battery. As far as mounting one in your spare tire well, it should fit in an upright position anyway; that is if you have an inflatable spare.(like me!)

[gt350fme]

Optima is the only battery I will ever use, unless I have no choice, have them in all my vehicles, no mater the price, they are worth it period!

[Astre-mutt]

I knew about the Optima batteries. I'd seen another style on eBay that seems to be made for high powered stereos. But they have a cold cranking amp ratings on them. After closer inspection. I see that they are a lead & alkaline battery also. They use slim lead sheets, with the alkaline suspended in so sort of material. Not any better then other dry cells, just different. It looked like I would have to lay the battery down to fit in the spare tire area. Even if I can sit a battery upright, there wouldn't be enough room for a battery box. Looks like the Optima would be the way to go.

[gt350fme]

I am considering installing my battery where the rear passenger side seat was, since mine is to be a 2 seater now, that would keep the rear area free for spare tire and some cargo space.
You could modify your spare tire hole to make room for the battery, or?, many h-body's have rear installed battery's, helps with weight bias for sure, but takes up space.

[littlevega56]

HEY, Have you tryed the odyssey dry cell battery. they sell them at summet racing. And theres a race web site that has them to..
www.elephantracing.com. the cranking amps are outa this world. from 680 to 1700. and you can put them any where. & there Half the size of optma bat. They have a small aluminum box made for them also...littlevega.

[spyder_xlch]

I am considering installing my battery where the rear passenger side seat was, since mine is to be a 2 seater now, that would keep the rear area free for spare tire and some cargo space.
You could modify your spare tire hole to make room for the battery, or?, many h-body's have rear installed battery's, helps with weight bias for sure, but takes up space.

Wouldn't it be better on the driver's side since the driver's side lifts more? Also, what side is the spare tire on the Vega? I know the Monzas are on the passenger side. I'd think you'd want more weight on the driver's side (yes, I know you have the weight of the driver there).

[Astre-mutt]

Most of the time people put the battery over the right rear for traction when drag racing. I'm trying to get as close to a 50/50 weight balance as possible for handaling. The tire well was a compromise. I want to keep as much room in the back as possible. I could place it behind the seats in the storage compartment. There wouldn't be as much weight benefit, but I would have room for a battery box.

[gt350fme]

I too am trying to get that 50/50 weight bias, or as best I can, probably won't be that good but my attempt will be there, my SBC 350 will add roughly 150 lbs to deal with up front, my battery location is still up in the air? and I am open to suggestion.
I will check out the odyssey battery, I like the half size possibility, that could be a good thing.

[spyder_xlch]

I don't know why but I guess I'm just thinking drag racing. 50/50 bias on the street would be better. I'm just picturing a hard launch with the left side rising more than the right side. Too many drag shows on TV I guess.

[Astre-mutt]

I remember reading a long time ago, that moving your battery to the trunk. Is the same as moving a small block Chevy 2" back in the engine compartment. Maybe even more then that, it was a long time ago. Matt, you see a lot of drag racers put the battery on the passenger side to get more weight to right side. The axle is being driven downward on the left from the rotation of the drive shaft. At the same time the right side is trying to lift upward. That's why the left tire always spines with out posy. Always thought it was great how the Vega has the gas tank over the right tire. Maybe a design left over from when Chevy was think about V8 Vega's, and they where trying to figure out how to make the thing go strait.

[res0o7eb]

...my SBC 350 will add roughly 150 lbs to deal with up front

Closer to 250-300 lbs. The Vega 140 cu. in. long block weighs 285 lbs. Aluminum engine parts helps reduce that weight difference, though.

I too am trying to get that 50/50 weight bias...

With a V-8? If you add a bunch of lead in the hatch area, it would be achievable. Way too much weight on the front-end. You might be able to do it by cutting off the font unibody forward of the firewall and adding a tube chassis. Fiberglass front-end and an aluminum block would help, too.

[spyder_xlch]

I think he means 50/50 side to side.

[res0o7eb]

OK. Never mind.

[gt350fme]

All good food for thought, and since my project is still in the rough stage, there is room for change.
My 50/50 bias attempt, I know I'm dreaming, is for more sports car like handling, the drag strip is secondary and will be what it will be just to see what it will do.
My 350 weighs roughly 485 lbs, at least that's what I came up with when I weighed the parts separately when it was assembled, aluminum heads, alu water pump, alu intake manifold, even aluminum block plugs, spent time deburring and smoothing the off several pounds of iron from the block, if I had to do it over again the LS1 would have been a better choice, Oh well.
Also have the lighter Aerospace spindles hubs/brakes set up up front, that cuts a few pounds, weld racing rims cuts a few more lbs over stock rims, and a fiberglass hood is in order, more weight loss there, and the ford 9 inch will add weight to the rear
Also was planning to bring the motor as far back as possible to the fire wall, making my own motor mounts to suit.
Maybe that battery all the way in the back might be the best use of that weight, also have considered adding some weights to the rear if need be, OK I'm rambling now and off the posted subject.
Any input is appreciated, thanks all.