Forgive me if this has been discussed, but I did use the search feature. Other than the stock battery sizes (I believe 21R and 35) are there any other batteries that work? I've heard of some FD guys using Miata batteries and even lawn tractor batteries.

I'm asking because it would be nice to be able to run a cheaper battery, especially if you could run a $25 lawn tractor battery. Right now the stock battery is roughly $100 and is the same battery powering my Protege5.

 

51R is also what some FD guys use. It's a Honda battery. It comes in yellow top Optima for under $200. There is also standard lead acid.

 

i've seen people use the lawn tractor battery, and it does ok if your car is in good shape and starts right up.

the 51R battery works too

 

I ran a lawn and garden battery for a few years, and like others have said, it is fine if your car starts right up immediately. If you have to crank it a second time, there isn't enough power. I moved on to an optima mounted in the passenger bin area. That being said, the quality of optimas has dropped sharply in the past few years, I have started using the Die hard AGMs. they are also sold as duralast AGM and seem to be holding up to the abuse my subarus see.

Isaac

 

Doesn't seem like my car is in good enough shape to start off of a lawn tractor battery. And I'm familiar with a 51R, as I just paid $100 to put one in my wife's Honda Element, haha.

 

Costco Group 35 Battery works great at about $78

 

Nearest costco is about 3 hours, so not cost effective when you add in gas.

 

12v 35ah TR35-12 Tempest AGM, Valve Regulated, Maintenance Free, Sealed Lead Acid Rechargeable Battery $64.50

It cranks a 11:1 383 SBC with no issues at all.

 

I can't believe the price of batteries is an issue.

 

I can't believe the price of batteries...

 

In all honesty, unless you're a complete ******* made of money, I'd say that realistically everything is an issue of money.

I don't think I ever really said that money was an issue either, just seeing what options were. It's nice to know that if it ever comes down to it, I can use the battery from either my Protege5 or my wife's Element. Also, eventually when I get down the line, I could possibly swap in a riding mower battery and relocate it somewhere else.

 

miata battery works great. lighter than stock by far. Bosch is around $85 at Pep Boys. I think it is agm, but not sure. I have also used the lawn and tractor battery and works fine. just need to modify your cable ends. very light and very cheap. my racing buddies told me I was cheating so had to use the miata battery.

Carl

 

If no Costco in your area, Walmart Group 35 also fits at about the same price.

 

So how exactly does one go about picking batteries for a car? Are they essentially the same other than size (and CCA)? Can I realistically pick any battery that will fit in the space in my car and that the cables will reach the posts?

 

This is what the service manual has for a battery spec.



http://foxed.ca/rx7manual/manuals/19...nical_Data.pdf