I needed a new battery and a project for the weekend, so 3 weeks later I have my battery located in the rear passenger side bin. After the relocation I have a couple questions :

1) I bought a 200amp phoenix gold circuit breaker which is located about 6 inches from the battery with 2 gauge cable. I used a 200amp circuit breaker because 150amp seemed too close to normal starting amps and I didn't want to have to worry about tripping it if I add amps or something. However, on the back of the box (in the instructions) it says that for the 200amp breaker you need to use 1/0 gauge wire, the 140amp breaker is for 2 gauge wire. Any practical electrical people out there know if the gauge wire actually matters for the particular circuit breaker? The breaker is pretty pointless if the cable can't carry enough amps to trip it.

2) After removing the battery upfront I noticed there is now an opening to the intercooler fresh air duct that used to cool the battery. Should I block this or leave it blowing cool air into the engine compartment? I've opened up the stock airbox and removed the foam next to the radiator to supply air already.

Thanks for any help, especially with #1 since it could be dangerous.

 

#1 should be ok. The breaker is sized for longer wire lengths than used in a car. The breakers are rated at 200% for 5 seconds so 150A would probably have been plenty.
#2 Does it bypass the IC ?

 

I imagine it would bypass the IC. I'll have to look at it when I get home, but I think the fresh air duct splits 3 ways, one to the air box, one to the IC, and one to the battery. Since the battery is no longer there (and didn't have the top when it was) it seems like air would bypass the IC and just blow into the engine.

Maybe the duct is meant to vent the battery rather than cool it? Or maybe if I look harder the path of air is restricted somehow.

 

I would block it. It wont hurt anything since the battery was blocking it anyway. The more air on the intercooler the better, anyhow.
-Ben

 

The duct is for COOLING the battery but don't block it off completly b/k that vent also cools the AC Reciever/Dryer - I would leave about a 3/4-1" dia hole. and block off the rest.

 

Do you have stock intake??

If not, I would take the whole thing out and block off all the openings except the one to the IC... Rest isn't too big of a deal.. As the air passes thru the IC.. it will hit the engine.. and the ac drier will be cooler or no difference in temp.. since it now has no jacket.. I would rather push more air thru the IC than diverting that air to other parts.. unless you have oem intake box..
once again, i could be wrong on this..