Battery Location
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,039
Likes: 669
From: FL
If so (and it could very well be true), it's a **** poor reason. As far as I know, there's no law of physics that prevents an individual from opening the passenger door, and leaning into the car to retrieve something behind the driver's seat.
And let's face it, how often do you get a flat tire? I've had one blowout in the 35 years I've owned my '69. I haven't exactly worn out the door hinges on the jack storage compartment at this rate.
And let's face it, how often do you get a flat tire? I've had one blowout in the 35 years I've owned my '69. I haven't exactly worn out the door hinges on the jack storage compartment at this rate.
Have you ever tried to get to the jack location at the bottom of the storage bin from the driver's side, especially with early C3 seats that don't fold flat. All GM needed would be one law suit to get all kinds of bad publicity. It would be the same reach to a jack on driver's side from passenger door.
Jack in my 2003 Avalanche is under the back seat, on the passenger side. Why, same logic. Don't have to lean into the car/truck and did around with your back to traffic on a possible narrow and dark road.
From an engineering standpoint, since the engine is offset to the passenger side, the battery helps counteract that.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,849
Likes: 959
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
Actually, it makes sense if you think about it from a liability standpoint.
Have you ever tried to get to the jack location at the bottom of the storage bin from the driver's side, especially with early C3 seats that don't fold flat. Several times. Am I just one of the few reasonably fit people in the world that can do this? Besides, if getting the jack out is that difficult for some people, how are they ever going to manage to wrestle the spare tire out from the undercar carrier? All GM needed would be one law suit to get all kinds of bad publicity. Were petty lawsuits like your example that common in the mid 60's when the C3 was designed? It would be the same reach to a jack on driver's side from passenger door. Like I said before, for a reasonably fit person that isn't that difficult of a task to accomplish. Jack in my 2003 Avalanche is under the back seat, on the passenger side. Why, same logic. Don't have to lean into the car/truck and did around with your back to traffic on a possible narrow and dark road.
From an engineering standpoint, since the engine is offset to the passenger side, the battery helps counteract that.
Have you ever tried to get to the jack location at the bottom of the storage bin from the driver's side, especially with early C3 seats that don't fold flat. Several times. Am I just one of the few reasonably fit people in the world that can do this? Besides, if getting the jack out is that difficult for some people, how are they ever going to manage to wrestle the spare tire out from the undercar carrier? All GM needed would be one law suit to get all kinds of bad publicity. Were petty lawsuits like your example that common in the mid 60's when the C3 was designed? It would be the same reach to a jack on driver's side from passenger door. Like I said before, for a reasonably fit person that isn't that difficult of a task to accomplish. Jack in my 2003 Avalanche is under the back seat, on the passenger side. Why, same logic. Don't have to lean into the car/truck and did around with your back to traffic on a possible narrow and dark road.
From an engineering standpoint, since the engine is offset to the passenger side, the battery helps counteract that.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,039
Likes: 669
From: FL
Sorry you became offended enough with a different perspective to use the color red.
I am 6'2", have a convertible, and I find it difficult to dig to the bottom of the passenger compartment from the driver's side. Your mileage may vary.
I do understand your math, I just don't see it as really applicable. Corvettes being raced could move the battery wherever they want as rules permit so that is a non-issue. If you have a 180# passenger, that counteracts the 180# driver so now the 10# battery does help counteract the engine offset for street driving (where I tend to turn left as much as right for some strange reason).
IMHO, the benefits of moving the battery (if proven) do not justify the effort on a street car.
I am 6'2", have a convertible, and I find it difficult to dig to the bottom of the passenger compartment from the driver's side. Your mileage may vary.
I do understand your math, I just don't see it as really applicable. Corvettes being raced could move the battery wherever they want as rules permit so that is a non-issue. If you have a 180# passenger, that counteracts the 180# driver so now the 10# battery does help counteract the engine offset for street driving (where I tend to turn left as much as right for some strange reason).
IMHO, the benefits of moving the battery (if proven) do not justify the effort on a street car.
Last edited by SteveG75; Jan 15, 2010 at 11:31 AM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,849
Likes: 959
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
Sorry you became offended enough with a different perspective to use the color red.I used red for contrast. I was not aware that there was some forum protocol indicating red color means displeasure. Hopefully dark slate means happy talk. 
I am 6'2", have a convertible, and I find it difficult to dig to the bottom of the passenger compartment from the driver's side. Your mileage may vary. Apparently. I'm 6'3", 55 years old, have a coupe, and am apparently one of the diminishing number of physically fit Corvette owners that can maneuver around in the car.
I do understand your math, I just don't see it as really applicable. Corvettes being raced could move the battery wherever they want as rules permit so that is a non-issue. What if the rules don't permit it? Then what? I take my car to the track on occasion, and it would be nice didn't have to modify it to correct a performance issue. If you have a 180# passenger, that counteracts the 180# driver so now the 10# battery does help counteract the engine offset for street driving (where I tend to turn left as much as right for some strange reason). Where are you finding a 10# battery? Inquiring minds want to know. Well, I guess here's where our mileage definitely varies. My passenger is 115 pounds, so it would be nice if the battery (of any weight) was on the right side to even things out.
IMHO, the benefits of moving the battery (if proven) do not justify the effort on a street car.
I am 6'2", have a convertible, and I find it difficult to dig to the bottom of the passenger compartment from the driver's side. Your mileage may vary. Apparently. I'm 6'3", 55 years old, have a coupe, and am apparently one of the diminishing number of physically fit Corvette owners that can maneuver around in the car.
I do understand your math, I just don't see it as really applicable. Corvettes being raced could move the battery wherever they want as rules permit so that is a non-issue. What if the rules don't permit it? Then what? I take my car to the track on occasion, and it would be nice didn't have to modify it to correct a performance issue. If you have a 180# passenger, that counteracts the 180# driver so now the 10# battery does help counteract the engine offset for street driving (where I tend to turn left as much as right for some strange reason). Where are you finding a 10# battery? Inquiring minds want to know.
Well, I guess here's where our mileage definitely varies. My passenger is 115 pounds, so it would be nice if the battery (of any weight) was on the right side to even things out. IMHO, the benefits of moving the battery (if proven) do not justify the effort on a street car.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 23,419
Likes: 22
From: In limbo
St. Jude Donor '13-'15, '17 thru '22
69427: I like your math, but I'm pretty sure my days of weighing 180 pounds are long gone. I need the battery behind me to keep the car from getting front-heavy due to my expanding beer gut. Moving the battery to the other side would have to generate a torsional load that could be devastating to the pillow on the e-brake cover. Of course, I could drink less beer......but that's just crazy talk.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,849
Likes: 959
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
This is a great post, but would have been better if you had remembered to remind everyone that your car is only original ONCE!
69427: I like your math, but I'm pretty sure my days of weighing 180 pounds are long gone. I need the battery behind me to keep the car from getting front-heavy due to my expanding beer gut. Moving the battery to the other side would have to generate a torsional load that could be devastating to the pillow on the e-brake cover. Of course, I could drink less beer......but that's just crazy talk.
69427: I like your math, but I'm pretty sure my days of weighing 180 pounds are long gone. I need the battery behind me to keep the car from getting front-heavy due to my expanding beer gut. Moving the battery to the other side would have to generate a torsional load that could be devastating to the pillow on the e-brake cover. Of course, I could drink less beer......but that's just crazy talk.
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Drifting
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 1
From: Winston-Salem NC
If I remember correctly
someone on this forum put an amp/speakers in the battery box, moved the battery to the rear of the cargo hold, put the battery in a stainless steel box, all so his Vette could do better wheelies.
BTW, maybe his engine putting out around 700hp had something to do with it?
BTW, maybe his engine putting out around 700hp had something to do with it?
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 1
From: Winston-Salem NC
Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,349
Likes: 92
From: Press "2" for English
i moved mine to the passenger side a long time ago, for the same reason as the OP mentioned.
as for the legal bull****, whatever. i actually drive mine on the track. and i tossed the jack and handle in the **** can a long time ago.
if you drive your car, move the battery.
as for the legal bull****, whatever. i actually drive mine on the track. and i tossed the jack and handle in the **** can a long time ago.
if you drive your car, move the battery.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,849
Likes: 959
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 7,032
Likes: 2
From: Newburgh NY
I resemble that remark. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,209
Likes: 33
From: Texas-out west
does it really matter...NO, this is a dumb post because there is no "right" answer as to why the battery is where it is unless an engineer who did the design steps forward to let us know. racers and the like always like to "redesign" things so maybe that is why GM put it behind driver so racers could have something to do for me I leave like GM built it, you may do as you wish to your ride and be happy
for me I leave like GM built it, you may do as you wish to your ride and be happy
