Battery Relocation to the front??
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 782
Likes: 1
From: Magic Valley ID
Battery Relocation to the front??
Has anyone relocated the battery up front, say, where the AC evap box is? I have not taken exact measurements, but it seems like it would fit. Also, it seems like that would be a more logical place to put it, considering the caustic nature of a lead/acid battery. I know a gel battery eliminates that problem, but I don't have the coin for a $200 battery right at the moment. I'm not a drag racer, so exact weight balance is not an issue, I just want to get that stinkin' battery out from inside the car. It sure makes jump starting the car a PITA! 
Deja
Deja
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 43
From: San Antonio TX
Had a friend with a '69 that had the battery on the frame rail under the hvac box. Before I knew anything about 'Vettes, it seemed like that's were it went. I later found out where it was supposed to be.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
The battery acid isn't a problem unless you seriously crash, just make sure its properly mounted. If your worried about it put a little baking soda in the bottom of the battery compartment. Also putting the battery in as close proximity to the header on the pass side as it would be would seriously limit battery life, they don't like heat.
JMHO, YMMV
JMHO, YMMV
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,910
Likes: 962
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
Moving heavy weight towards the front isn't my cup of tea, but I know a guy who did it in his '79. Contact MYBAD79 on VetteMod and he could give you some info on how he did it.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 673
Likes: 2
From: Melbourne Victoria
G'day ALL,
Why is moving the battery such a thorny subject ???
I've only ever owned F.RDs (until the Vette) and their
under the hood batteries seem to tolerate the heat
(as do alot of cars on the road today),Also why do Vettes
suffer heat soak ???? My F.RD's starter sits a couple of inches
(at most) away from the exhaust manifold and I've NEVER had heat soak probs with any car except the Vette !!!!!
So I can't see why it's a prob with our Sharks (except airflow).
As to the weight distribution (i've read that it's behind the driver because of this ) BUT mine's Right hand drive, So.......if weight distribution is SO critical why did they allow RHD conversions????
Personally, I'm thinking of moving the "Damned thing" into the engine bay just to shorten the cables as I dont fancy trying to replace the old one thru the trans tunnel (another WTF ????).
Okay, I understand there maybe other reasons for these things
But c'mon. I've even heard that putting the Batt in the pass side
can cause Vettes to flip on their sides !!!! If that's true then mine should be on it's side all the time.
I just can't fathom some of the posts I've read regarding these subjects.If anyone knows any legit reasons why
the batt CANT go in engine comp. I be happy to hear about it.
SORRY to Vent.
Cheers (from Australia)
Gav
Why is moving the battery such a thorny subject ???
I've only ever owned F.RDs (until the Vette) and their
under the hood batteries seem to tolerate the heat
(as do alot of cars on the road today),Also why do Vettes
suffer heat soak ???? My F.RD's starter sits a couple of inches
(at most) away from the exhaust manifold and I've NEVER had heat soak probs with any car except the Vette !!!!!
So I can't see why it's a prob with our Sharks (except airflow).
As to the weight distribution (i've read that it's behind the driver because of this ) BUT mine's Right hand drive, So.......if weight distribution is SO critical why did they allow RHD conversions????
Personally, I'm thinking of moving the "Damned thing" into the engine bay just to shorten the cables as I dont fancy trying to replace the old one thru the trans tunnel (another WTF ????).
Okay, I understand there maybe other reasons for these things
But c'mon. I've even heard that putting the Batt in the pass side
can cause Vettes to flip on their sides !!!! If that's true then mine should be on it's side all the time.
I just can't fathom some of the posts I've read regarding these subjects.If anyone knows any legit reasons why
the batt CANT go in engine comp. I be happy to hear about it.
SORRY to Vent.
Cheers (from Australia)
Gav
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 782
Likes: 1
From: Magic Valley ID
Deja
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Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Lawrence Kansas
If you're just concerned with jumping the car or charging it you might just consider making a jump cable. I did that in my 71. I just took a battery cable and attachted it to the main starter post that runs to the battery and routed it up the side of the fender and put it next to the hood latch. You need to make sure you cover the end of it so that it's not arcing everywhere, but I've used it a couple of times so far for charging and it's dang handy. I ran out of juice once after a day at the track and could barely get cables on it to jump it so I thought about making the extension.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 1
From: Greensboro NC
Only reason I could possibly see for not locating the battery under the hood?
C3's tend to be nose heavy anyway.
But:
Go to a mini starter, lose 10 lbs on the right side, move the battery and it would seem to be a wash.
Worried about the heat?
Use a battery box and put some reflectix on the side near the engine.
And bear in mind. The windshield washer PLASTIC tank is in that same "superheated" area (yes, I'm being sarcastic...).
And yes, my battery is going to be up front (I need room for stereo goodies).
C3's tend to be nose heavy anyway.
But:
Go to a mini starter, lose 10 lbs on the right side, move the battery and it would seem to be a wash.
Worried about the heat?
Use a battery box and put some reflectix on the side near the engine.
And bear in mind. The windshield washer PLASTIC tank is in that same "superheated" area (yes, I'm being sarcastic...).
And yes, my battery is going to be up front (I need room for stereo goodies).
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Sounds like you might have some work to be done on your electrical system. The battery should be a non-issue if the system is in good order.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,246
Likes: 114
From: Watkins Glen NY
Even the trunk would be way better than dragging acid soaked battery cables into the cabin of the car. Just seems dirty, and a real PITA. MOST batteries are under the hood, so I too am a little puzzled why people freak out when they hear that you want to relocate the battery and have a 14" battery cable, instead of a 144" cable!
Deja
Deja
Solid axles and midyears' battery location is on the right framerail behind the wheel. It's a PITA as well to get in and out, but I like the idea of a short load carrying cable to the starter vs a long one.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 10,628
Likes: 132
From: Duvall, WA
I've had my '71 since '96 and I've never had to jump it. Plus, it's nice to not have to worry about dropping a wrench on the terminals when I'm working under the hood.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,202
Likes: 10
From: cincinnati ohio
St. Jude Donor '09
I have an on-board float charger since my car sits for months on end and never give the battery a second thought.
In fact every few years when one of our daily drivers battery takes a dump I pull the fully charged one and buy the vette a new one.