I'm trying to find out what would be the best miniature battery for my FD, I was thinking of the "Odyssey" but I don't know which model or size. Any suggestions? thanks!

Setup:

 

I've got the odyssey pc680.

 

Me too. Search for "PC680" , and you'll find tons of info. I love mine.

-s-

 

I use a lawn tractor battery. 275 CCA. I have had it in the car for over 2 years with no issues. $20 at Wal-mart, with warrenty. 17 pounds.

 

Odyssey PC920. It has about 50% more capacity than the 680 and still fits in the rear bins without major surgery.

 

While not technically a miniature battery, the Westo Miata battery will also fit in the rear bins.

You can find pictures of one installed here.

 

Thanks guys, will do...

 

It is almost funny the extent that people go through to insert a smaller battery and relocate it. I have the largest stock mount intercooler that two very prominant RX-7 shops have ever seen and have recieved very positive performance remarks about it from both shop owners. And I still have the battery under the hood for only $20, plus the cost of a custom battery mount ($8). I have left the car with the lawn tractor battery sitting for months at a time with no starting diffacuties whatsoever.

 

I run a Genesis EP mini batt similar to the PC680. Haven't had any problems with it so far.

 

I agree: the battery belongs in the engine bay.
First of all, most installations aren't safe. I've seen a lot of relocations that are an electrical fire waiting to happen.
Secondly, most people just plain don't need to relocate 15-35lbs. Removing weight is one thing, but I can only think of about three FD's owned by forum members (Damian De la Huerta, Carlos Iglesias, and Andrew McKee) that are at the level where they might be able to justify the MINOR performance benefit that comes from relocating such a small amount of weight on their car, as opposed to just installing a lightweight battery and dropping an easy 20lbs. Don't forget that the wiring associated with relocation adds weight, so a lightweight battery in the stock location will weigh less in the end.


-s-

 

What about the lawnmower battery? sounds interesting because we don't have that many small battery providers in Europe.

 

Don't forget about cooling. Besides changing weight distribution, the relocation also removes an obstruction to the radiator output air.

 

This is plainly false. Lots of cars have batteries in the trunk (e.g., Miatas, many BMWs). I would argue that it is the best place for them. Batteries last a lot longer when not subjected to engine bay heat. I still have the original battery in my daily driven 90k+ mile 1995 Miata. A friend's BMW only needed a second battery at 80k miles.

Even a cursory search of mini batteries will reveal that many people have charging problems with them if their car is used intermittently. The M2 large (and other large intercoolers) simply do not fit with non mini batteries. Hence, relocation projects.

Most are not. One can do it properly though (with a lot of work).

Relocating a battery purely for weight distribution reasons is probably not sensible (unless you are racing are in a very competitive series).

I relocated in preparation for an M2/ASP large. The rear bins are also a really convenient location because there is space for a power distribution block and cutoff switch also and an FD engine bay is already pretty crowded.

 

This is a correction to my post (above) where I refer to the Odyssey PC 920. It should read PC 935.

Additionally, I want to say that I generally agree with the points made in the post by moconner above.

And, nicad2 wrote:
I agree, but the foregoing is an understatement: Cooling airflow is substantially improved and heat soak is reduced by removing the battery from the engine bay. It makes a big difference.