Battery Relocating to trunk - Honda Prelude Forum

Jordan_4WS · 03-11-2002, 02:23 PM

I was wondering if anyone has done this. If so, does it actual make a difference in the handling? How did the car handle after?

Also, how difficult is the install and are there any safety issues? Lastly, what kit have you used for the install?

-Jordan

illusion · 03-11-2002, 03:14 PM

talk to honda318dx. he's done it. look for him here, on honda-tech, or hondaprelude.com

DirtyLude · 03-11-2002, 03:28 PM

I mounted mine in the trunk. I used a Taylor / Vertex alluminum box for it. It was big dollars and not really worth it for the nice pretty box.

I mounted it in the back corner which isn't really the best place for it for handling. It would be nicer to mount it closer into the car, still on the right hand side, but it's difficult to mount it there because of the spare tire well.

It came with all the mounting hardware and cables.

I could definitely feel the weight shift and the back end handles a little differently with the weight back there, but I haven't been able to push the car much, since it still breaking in after the rebuild. I'll probably get a slightly lighter battery later.

Jordan_4WS · 03-11-2002, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DirtyLude
I mounted mine in the trunk. I used a Taylor / Vertex alluminum box for it. It was big dollars and not really worth it for the nice pretty box.

I mounted it in the back corner which isn't really the best place for it for handling. It would be nicer to mount it closer into the car, still on the right hand side, but it's difficult to mount it there because of the spare tire well.

It came with all the mounting hardware and cables.

I could definitely feel the weight shift and the back end handles a little differently with the weight back there, but I haven't been able to push the car much, since it still breaking in after the rebuild. I'll probably get a slightly lighter battery later.

So its worth it? If i did it I would probably get one of those $50 kits from summit racing or prd or someone. Have you had any problems and how hard was the install?

-jordan

Jordan_4WS · 03-11-2002, 03:49 PM

Im basically wondering what the downside is to the mod. Also wondering why not many people have it - for the $50 the kit costs it seems like a pretty good handling mod for the money.

DirtyLude · 03-11-2002, 08:57 PM

It was worth it to me, since I needed more room in the engine bay. Like any mod wether it's worth it or not depends on what you're looking for. Unless you're really throwing the car around, I wouldn't bother with it.

The only downsides are cost and losing space in the trunk. The cost isn't that much and the install itself isn't that hard. You'll need to drill holes in the bottom of the trunk to bolt the battery box down and you'll need to run the cable through the car to front. I ran it through the inside of the car, but I've seen people run it under the car.

XES · 03-11-2002, 10:01 PM

The only downside I can think of is that you will have to have a battery kill switch on the outside of the vehicle when you drag race at a track (it is manditory with a rear mounted battery). A rear firewall or sealed battery box with is 0.024inch (steel) or 0.032inch (aluminum) is also required. As of 2001, a sealed plastic box, etc. is no longer acceptable by NHRA rules. NHRA rules will most likely even be taken into effect at non-NHRA sactioned events (the race track officials do so for insurance reasons, i think?).
Besides that, who cares about trunk space anyways? I had no choice but to move mine to the rear (due to space issues).

ps. I also used the Taylor Battery box (but not the complete kit with wire).

Hawks10 · 03-11-2002, 11:37 PM

I was thinking about doing this but I decided I needed the trunk space for my huge ass hockey bag.

Jordan_4WS · 03-12-2002, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by hawks10
I was thinking about doing this but I decided I needed the trunk space for my huge ass hockey bag.

Hmm... I never do carpool or take big things. The largest thing i ever carry in the trunk is a 3 foot hooka; but that can always go in the backseat

(Dont worry, it is only for tobacco

)

-Jordan

ME · 03-12-2002, 04:06 PM

If you get something like an Optima (absorbed electrolyte) battery there's no reason to have a battery box. They can be mounted upside-down (if you want) and do not outgas like regular batteries. If you're racing though you better check the regulations first.

brendon2k · 03-12-2002, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jordan_4WS

Hmm... I never do carpool or take big things. The largest thing i ever carry in the trunk is a 3 foot hooka; but that can always go in the backseat (Dont worry, it is only for tobacco )

-Jordan

sure Jordan

Jordan_4WS · 03-12-2002, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by brendon2k

sure Jordan

Its true...

When you use other stuff in the hooka it just roasts and wastes it, better too just roll the tabacco with some papers

.

-Jordan

PreludeNYC · 03-13-2002, 08:38 AM

I did it to mine, it was pretty straight forward, As for can I tell a difference, I haven't test drove the car since I put it in, but when I do you're mos def gonna get some feedback. Umm just curious on that other dood who did it too, what route did you take??

-Jose

Darth Luder · 03-13-2002, 10:26 AM

I dont know why you would want to do it in a FWD car. You are taking weight off of your driving wheels for one so you are gonna get less traction, even if you are just dragging. For handling, I think it helps with the characteristics of driving properly. When you brake, you load the front suspension and get the front to grip. Hopefully, this is what you are wanting to do at the time like entering a turn to reduce understeer. Sway bars, strut bars, springs and shocks are much better ways to improve handling.

The only reason that I see in moving it is for a RWD car to get the weight transfered better to your driving wheels.

Jordan_4WS · 03-13-2002, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Darth Luder
I dont know why you would want to do it in a FWD car. You are taking weight off of your driving wheels for one so you are gonna get less traction, even if you are just dragging. For handling, I think it helps with the characteristics of driving properly. When you brake, you load the front suspension and get the front to grip. Hopefully, this is what you are wanting to do at the time like entering a turn to reduce understeer. Sway bars, strut bars, springs and shocks are much better ways to improve handling.

The only reason that I see in moving it is for a RWD car to get the weight transfered better to your driving wheels.

Your right - for drag racing. Here, we are trying to even out our front-rear weight distribution. THe closer it is to 50-50 the better the car is gonna handle. That is why lamborghinis handle so nice - you have the engine in the mid of the car,so your weight is not centralized to the front or the rear. Also reserach the new corvettes. I was told the tranny is in the rear and the engine in the front - once again for weight distrobution.

-Jordan

Darth Luder · 03-14-2002, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jordan_4WS

Your right - for drag racing. Here, we are trying to even out our front-rear weight distribution. THe closer it is to 50-50 the better the car is gonna handle. That is why lamborghinis handle so nice - you have the engine in the mid of the car,so your weight is not centralized to the front or the rear. Also reserach the new corvettes. I was told the tranny is in the rear and the engine in the front - once again for weight distrobution.

-Jordan

But just moving the battery is a poor way of doing it in my opinion. Just moving the battery wont make the car a mid engine car. The better way to do it is to get some adjustable coilovers and corner weight the car.

DirtyLude · 03-14-2002, 07:27 AM

Corner weighting the car has nothing to do with centering/lowering the weight in the car. Your mixing up two different concepts.

Darth Luder · 03-14-2002, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DirtyLude
Corner weighting the car has nothing to do with centering/lowering the weight in the car. Your mixing up two different concepts.

I am not mixing them up. It doesnt change the weighting, you are right, but it will effect the handling much better than moving weight from the front to the back...

This is what he is after anyways. And moving the battery will still not make the car more of a mid engine car, at least nothing that will be noticable.

Jordan_4WS · 03-14-2002, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Darth Luder
And moving the battery will still not make the car more of a mid engine car, at least nothing that will be noticable.

That is why i posted in the first place - to see if it would make a big difference. I think you are wrong cuse everyone that has done it says it made a big difference.

-jordan

red92si · 03-14-2002, 06:54 PM

But moving the battery to the rear cant hurt... so why not do it. Sure it wont make it a 50/50 car... but it will indeed even it out a little more than stock.