So... I need a new battery, any suggestions?: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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Oct. 25, 2008 4:11 p.m. Yavuz New Reader

Well my 5 year old battery is starting to crap out on me, and with winter coming up I'm due in for a new one.

I'm looking for something that is:

1) Lightweight... I've taken nearly 100lbs off my car already without even touching the interior and I feel like there is definitely a few more pounds to be saved with a new battery. 2) Will start in the cold. As much as I love those tiny braille racing batteries... I don't think they would make it through a Massachusetts winter. I need something that will start every morning. 3) Doesn't cost too much.... I don't want to spend a couple hundred dollars on a new battery.

Is there anything out there that will fit the bill? The car is a 2004 Dodge SRT4 if that matters. Something smaller than the stock battery would be nice too, with a bigger turbo and a 3" intake, the stock battery is wedged in there so tight that it's impossible to take out without removing the intake.

Thanks in advance!
Oct. 25, 2008 5:09 p.m. P71 Reader

DynaBat from Performance Distributors is well loved up here by autocrossers and drag racers alike. Local super-fast SRT4 guy has one even.

I have an Optima in the cop car (lots of electrical load) and an OEM Delco in the Grand Prix GT. The RX-7 is working off of a spare top-post Delco I had around. It will be getting a DynaBat this winter.
Oct. 25, 2008 6:09 p.m. Osterkraut Reader

Deka. They make the Braille batteries. Same battery, half the price. Very grassroots.
Oct. 25, 2008 8:28 p.m. dean1484 HalfDork

Costco, and autozone seem to have ok prices. Just bring a tape measure and know your CCA requirements. If stock is not going to work. Ohya pay close attention to where the +/- poles are (I am sure that you know that) Unforchinitly if you are using it as a DD here in the snow belt would recommend getting the most CCA you can in something that fits in the car. If you are that worried about weight get a cheep very small 12v battery and swap it in when you are racing.
Oct. 25, 2008 11:58 p.m. caffecapri New Reader

I bought a small Odyssey for my Miata (PC680) and loved the lightweight aspect, but hated the starting aspect. Fine usually..but if it was cold, forget it and if it sat for a few days, forget it also. Went with a Wesco battery - a bit heavier, but lighter than having to carry jumper cables around with me everywhere.

I kept the Odyssey..will use it ONLY during races. Daily driving...I will keep a real battery.
Oct. 26, 2008 8:27 a.m. Woody Dork

caffecapri wrote:

I bought a small Odyssey for my Miata (PC680) and loved the lightweight aspect, but hated the starting aspect. Fine usually..but if it was cold, forget it and if it sat for a few days, forget it also. Went with a Wesco battery - a bit heavier, but lighter than having to carry jumper cables around with me everywhere.

I kept the Odyssey..will use it ONLY during races. Daily driving...I will keep a real battery.

Side note:

The Marathon is the same battery (same manufacturer, different label) as the Westco. It's cheaper, but only has a one year warranty, vs. three for the Westco. I have one of each.

http://www.batterymart.com/p-12v-mazda-miata-battery.html
Oct. 26, 2008 2:46 p.m. Per Schroeder Technical Editor/Advertising Director

while not light, I have a DEKA Intimidator in the Saab. should work for hours even if the alternator dies. Same size as stock battery, but it's AGM.