3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002) 1993-2002 Discussion including performance modifications and Technical Support Sections.
Sponsored by:

51R Battery in Stock Battery Tray

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-27-07, 11:03 AM
  #1  
Senior Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
cblake3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Plainfield, IL
Posts: 453
Received 18 Likes on 8 Posts
51R Battery in Stock Battery Tray

So I did a search and didn't find a definitive answer. Will a 51R size battery fit in the stock battery tray without modification? It seems as though the stock bracket will hold it down if you crank it down tight enough.

Anyone had any luck with it?

I know someone is going to say that I should get the TurboJeff battery tray, and I would love one, but it seems like the group buy that was going on for these things got messed up somehow.
Old 03-27-07, 11:23 AM
  #2  
Lives on the Forum

 
rynberg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: San Lorenzo, California
Posts: 14,716
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
I would use a piece of metal/wood to fill the opening in....cranking down on it really hard is not a good method....
Old 03-27-07, 02:06 PM
  #3  
reliable performance

 
JConn2299's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I've used a Costco 51R in the stock battery tray with no problems. I did not have to overtighten the cross bar. It does a good job of holding it in place. The battery has not moved around at all. I also use the stock battery cover which I think helps to insulate the battery and keep it cool. I'm very happy with the setup.
Old 03-27-07, 02:10 PM
  #4  
Derwin

iTrader: (2)
 
dradon03's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: MTL, QC
Posts: 2,888
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
A Costco 51R? Please share.

The other day I was on Optima's site and it still listed the 51R as existing anyone.
Old 03-27-07, 03:35 PM
  #5  
reliable performance

 
JConn2299's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by dradon03
A Costco 51R? Please share.
Yup, it's the store brand battery. The posts are reversed. They fit the stock setup perfectly with no modification. The battery weighs about 10 pounds less than the one it replaced. I don't have the receipt in front of me, but the cost was around $45 - $48, as I remember. It has good cranking power, fits the stock setup, is lighter than the stock size battery, and it was cheap. What's not to like?
Old 03-27-07, 03:41 PM
  #6  
Lives on the Forum

 
rynberg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: San Lorenzo, California
Posts: 14,716
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
Yep, I've been recommending the Costco battery for years....but everyone seems so excited to spend $120+ on an Optima.
Old 03-27-07, 03:50 PM
  #7  
reliable performance

 
JConn2299's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I just found the receipt. It was even cheaper than I thought. $39.48. It's a Kirkland brand, 51R, and it comes with a 3 year free replacement guarantee. After that it's pro-rated.
Old 03-27-07, 05:36 PM
  #8  
Derwin

iTrader: (2)
 
dradon03's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: MTL, QC
Posts: 2,888
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
So it is a wet based battery?
Old 03-27-07, 05:37 PM
  #9  
Lives on the Forum

 
rynberg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: San Lorenzo, California
Posts: 14,716
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
Yep. So what?
Old 03-27-07, 07:12 PM
  #10  
2/4 wheel cornering fiend

 
Kento's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Pasadena, CA
Posts: 3,090
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Originally Posted by rynberg
...but everyone seems so excited to spend $120+ on an Optima.
Boy, ain't that the truth...
Old 03-28-07, 10:27 AM
  #11  
ArmitageFD3S

iTrader: (13)
 
ArmitageGVR4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Herndon, Virginia
Posts: 2,238
Received 23 Likes on 15 Posts
Heh I just got a 51R Autocraft Titanium battery from Advance for like 60 or 70 bucks. No issues whatsoever. Guess the price has gone up a little since then:

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductD...e=5005&PTSet=A
Old 03-28-07, 12:43 PM
  #12  
Derwin

iTrader: (2)
 
dradon03's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: MTL, QC
Posts: 2,888
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by rynberg
Yep. So what?
It was a question not a jab. I have a Kirkland battery in my car, it was the first time that I move the battery out of the car and I really hear the stuff inside sloshing around.

The guy before me had a battery leak rusted the car and everything under the battery bolts etc. were done. So that is my worry again with a wet battery.
Old 03-28-07, 12:56 PM
  #13  
Lives on the Forum

 
rynberg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: San Lorenzo, California
Posts: 14,716
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
Same story with my car....previous owner had a battery leak. However, my Kirkland 51R has held up for over 3 years now under some punishing conditions (like 103F track days!).
Old 04-01-07, 09:45 PM
  #14  
Do it right, do it once

iTrader: (30)
 
turbojeff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Eugene, OR, usa
Posts: 4,830
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 8 Posts
Originally Posted by cblake3
So I did a search and didn't find a definitive answer. Will a 51R size battery fit in the stock battery tray without modification? It seems as though the stock bracket will hold it down if you crank it down tight enough.

Anyone had any luck with it?

I know someone is going to say that I should get the TurboJeff battery tray, and I would love one, but it seems like the group buy that was going on for these things got messed up somehow.
The group buy didn't get messed up. The battery trays were shipped about 2-3 weeks ago. I still have a few left, PM if you are interested.

I ran a regular 51R battery in my FD for years without any issues. The 51R is a stock battery for Civics older Mitsubishis, etc. Any parts store should have one in stock.

With the Optima 51R (if they still make it) you have pretty much the same battery capacity as the larger stock battery. With the regular lead acid battery you lose some cranking amps but the FD doesn't mind. A 51R has a lot more capacity than one of the mini batteries.

Jeff
Old 04-05-07, 03:25 PM
  #15  
Do it right, do it once

iTrader: (30)
 
turbojeff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Eugene, OR, usa
Posts: 4,830
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 8 Posts
FYI guys I've got 4 left and I probably won't make any more for at least 1 yr.

Here is a link to my old CYM with a med sized SMIC and the 51R. Notice the extra room beside the IC.

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1277...34192742KTuPkY
Old 04-05-07, 08:58 PM
  #16  
NYC's Loudest FD

 
RX794's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 1,539
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Here's a pic of my 51R sized battery fitted in my pass side rear bin with my custom bracket:

Old 04-06-07, 09:34 AM
  #17  
ArmitageFD3S

iTrader: (13)
 
ArmitageGVR4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Herndon, Virginia
Posts: 2,238
Received 23 Likes on 15 Posts
Originally Posted by turbojeff
FYI guys I've got 4 left and I probably won't make any more for at least 1 yr.
Jeff's battery tray is an awesome product, the quality and fitment are top notch. You should seriously consider getting one if you want a 51R battery. You can't beat it for the price!
Old 04-06-07, 09:52 AM
  #18  
Cheap Bastard

iTrader: (2)
 
adam c's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: San Luis Obispo, Ca
Posts: 8,370
Received 50 Likes on 42 Posts
Originally Posted by RX794
Here's a pic of my 51R sized battery fitted in my pass side rear bin with my custom bracket:

Funny that the picture of your battery shows it when it had to be jumped.
Old 04-06-07, 12:35 PM
  #19  
Senior Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
cblake3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Plainfield, IL
Posts: 453
Received 18 Likes on 8 Posts
I bought a battery tray from jeff the other day. Now I just need to get the battery.

Originally Posted by ArmitageGVR4
Jeff's battery tray is an awesome product, the quality and fitment are top notch. You should seriously consider getting one if you want a 51R battery. You can't beat it for the price!
Old 04-06-07, 12:39 PM
  #20  
ArmitageFD3S

iTrader: (13)
 
ArmitageGVR4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Herndon, Virginia
Posts: 2,238
Received 23 Likes on 15 Posts
Originally Posted by cblake3
I bought a battery tray from jeff the other day. Now I just need to get the battery.
Old 04-06-07, 05:35 PM
  #21  
NYC's Loudest FD

 
RX794's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 1,539
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by adam c
Funny that the picture of your battery shows it when it had to be jumped.
Henceforth why I don't have an Optima battery anymore, complete junk.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
streetlegal?
New Member RX-7 Technical
13
03-17-22 02:46 PM
RCCAZ 1
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
5
08-11-15 07:05 PM



Quick Reply: 51R Battery in Stock Battery Tray



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:53 PM.