Battery Preferences
I had one of those in the back of my CRX, worked well.
I know I'm going to get some flak for asking this, but has anyone relocated a Miata battery (other than the MiataBusa)? Seems like you'd want that big lump of lead as low and centered as reasonable. Under the passenger seat maybe? Methinks you could pull it off with a PC680 laid on its side.
Of course this would be pointless in a track car, being that you're using batteries < 5 lbs anyway.
I know I'm going to get some flak for asking this, but has anyone relocated a Miata battery (other than the MiataBusa)? Seems like you'd want that big lump of lead as low and centered as reasonable. Under the passenger seat maybe? Methinks you could pull it off with a PC680 laid on its side.
Of course this would be pointless in a track car, being that you're using batteries < 5 lbs anyway.
can't find the video, but one of our pca/nasa buddies went to nasa nationals and lost the championship because his little battery wouldn't crank his engine over. he actually went to feet in, he's not a newb, but he had a brand new twin disc clutch and ultralight flywheel, and with the adrenaline and new clutch he stalled his 993 and was out the race.....and the championship!
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Elite Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,298
Total Cats: 884
From: Santa Clara, CA
I've got a D51R in my 99, but then I pulled all the trunk liner stuff out ages ago.
It's great, way better than the useless WestCo I suffered with for several years. The early Hydra in my car doesn't start it properly if the battery is at all low (gets confused and fires the spark at the wrong time, stopping the engine or something like that). The Optima fixed all that.
--Ian
It's great, way better than the useless WestCo I suffered with for several years. The early Hydra in my car doesn't start it properly if the battery is at all low (gets confused and fires the spark at the wrong time, stopping the engine or something like that). The Optima fixed all that.
--Ian
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Something about that just seems like a band-aid fix to me. This is a terrible comparison, but you won't see any formula cars hanging ballast over and behind their rear wheels.
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I'm trying to order a battery now and need to make sure I'm ordering the right one. Normally I use the OEM Westco (I think it is) but I'm thinking its time for something a bit beefier.
Looking at a Yellow top Optima D51R on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Optima-Batteri...owViewpoints=1
I see a couple reviews from miata guys on there and they say the rod needs to be extended but that it fits the tray otherwise. I just measured and it seems it'll be too wide for the Optima.
Can you guys just verify for me that this is indeed the correct yellow top.
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Newb
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 24
Total Cats: 0
From: Omaha, NE
A yellow top D51R will fit my 93 or my 94. I don't use a plastic tray. Just use the existing factory metal brackets that hold the factory battery base in place to hold the base on the Optima.
I did need to buy a longer battery hold down bolt and reused the upper battery hold down without any modification.
So, basically you just need to buy a D51R Optima and a battery hold down bolt to make it work.
John
I did need to buy a longer battery hold down bolt and reused the upper battery hold down without any modification.
So, basically you just need to buy a D51R Optima and a battery hold down bolt to make it work.
John
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The Odyssey PC680 is a nice compromise between race and street. I've let mine drain way down several times by forgetting to hook up the trickle charger. So far it's recovered fine.
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Ok cool, thanks guys.
I'm gonna go ahead and order the Optima yellow top and 2 K&N cone filters from Amazon. The filters are on sale for $15 each and the battery is listed for more than $50 less than FM has it listed for.
I'm gonna go ahead and order the Optima yellow top and 2 K&N cone filters from Amazon. The filters are on sale for $15 each and the battery is listed for more than $50 less than FM has it listed for.
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 19,338
Total Cats: 574
From: Fake Virginia
Get the D35. It'll outlive your electrical problem.
I've drained mine twice due to complications with power flowing backwards through a boost solenoid into the megasquirt and then charged it up and let it sit for almost a month.
Car started right up.
I've drained mine twice due to complications with power flowing backwards through a boost solenoid into the megasquirt and then charged it up and let it sit for almost a month.
Car started right up.
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Elite Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,502
Total Cats: 146
From: Anacortes, WA
Bob
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 19,338
Total Cats: 574
From: Fake Virginia
fits like glove!
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Elite Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,502
Total Cats: 146
From: Anacortes, WA
D51R => 26.0 LBS
They are both heavy as I think the stock battery is ~24 lbs. Severe abuse of the D51R has not killed it for me. the D51R fits in the stock loacation for an NA, might be too tall in an NB to be just like stock.
After trying a few super light batteries in the 5 and 6 lb range I now have a Bikemaster True Gel I think YTZ14S
It’s 7.8 lbs. It most of the time gets the car started but with very little margin. The car can sit for a week and it starts right up but turn it off for a short time and sometimes it won’t. I have found the Hydra ECU is extremely picky about not having enough voltage while cranking. The car will crank just fine but the ECU wont give it spark or fuel unless it sees ~11 volts. This is a problem for small batteries while cranking.
Bob
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Elite Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,298
Total Cats: 884
From: Santa Clara, CA
And yeah, my Hydra is also very picky about starting voltage.
--Ian
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