Engine Compartment Battery Mount - Any Cons Before I Pull The Trigger?

[RJD]

Greetings,

I'm thinking of going with the Breeze Engine Compartment Battery Mount. I see the advantages, but for those who have them, what are some of the cons? Any issues I should be aware of before I pull the trigger? I'll be installing a Blueprint 306 so room shouldn't be an issue. Thank you.

[GoDadGo]

If I were able to mount my battery up front by the engine near the X-Brace, then I would have done it.

The added trunk space alone would have been well worth it, but it was not possible because of my engine and transmission combination.

Check out Edwardb's 2nd build since that car had a SBF with the forward mounted battery set up:

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?8296-Mk4-7750-Build-Progress-Update

The Go-Dad-Go Chevy Cobra Pre-Go-Karting Overview:

https://youtu.be/_wnHDNgnNqs

[RickP]

I have one upfront with a SBF behind it.

I can say this as far as a "downside". While doing some recent electrical re-work, I decided to disconnect the positive lead from the battery and got lazy using a pivoting head ratchet. The handle made contact with the crank pulley. Definitely got my attention. Other than that slight snafu, I am very pleased with the battery upfront.

[wareaglescott]

I've got mine up front with a coyote. Only con is when it needs replacing it is gonna be a pain to get out. Probably going to have to disconnect the upper radiator hose at least. Not a big enough con to keep me from doing it again if I were to build another.

[phileas_fogg]

I have one upfront with a SBF behind it.

I can say this as far as a "downside". While doing some recent electrical re-work, I decided to disconnect the positive lead from the battery and got lazy using a pivoting head ratchet. The handle made contact with the crank pulley. Definitely got my attention. Other than that slight snafu, I am very pleased with the battery upfront.

Maybe you know this, and if so my apologies. You can avoid the attention-getting by disconnecting the negative terminal first, and then the positive terminal.

But to the OP's point; I haven't discovered any cons to putting the battery up front. Some don't care to look at their battery, but I don't have a strong feeling about whether I see the battery or not.

Cheers,


John

[RickP]

Maybe you know this, and if so my apologies. You can avoid the attention-getting by disconnecting the negative terminal first, and then the positive terminal.

But to the OP's point; I haven't discovered any cons to putting the battery up front. Some don't care to look at their battery, but I don't have a strong feeling about whether I see the battery or not.

Cheers,


John

yup, I got lazy.

[RJD]

I've got mine up front with a coyote. Only con is when it needs replacing it is gonna be a pain to get out. Probably going to have to disconnect the upper radiator hose at least. Not a big enough con to keep me from doing it again if I were to build another.

Thanks Scott. Did you go with the Breeze EZ Pack Start Kit as well? What battery did you use?

[RJD]

I have one upfront with a SBF behind it.

I can say this as far as a "downside". While doing some recent electrical re-work, I decided to disconnect the positive lead from the battery and got lazy using a pivoting head ratchet. The handle made contact with the crank pulley. Definitely got my attention. Other than that slight snafu, I am very pleased with the battery upfront.

Shocking. Thanks for the info.

[RJD]

If I were able to mount my battery up front by the engine near the X-Brace, then I would have done it.

The added trunk space alone would have been well worth it, but it was not possible because of my engine and transmission combination.

Check out Edwardb's 2nd build since that car had a SBF with the forward mounted battery set up:

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?8296-Mk4-7750-Build-Progress-Update

The Go-Dad-Go Chevy Cobra Pre-Go-Karting Overview:

https://youtu.be/_wnHDNgnNqs

Thanks Steve. I checked it out.

[wareaglescott]

Thanks Scott. Did you go with the Breeze EZ Pack Start Kit as well? What battery did you use?

I don't know what the EZ pack start kit is so no. I used the yellow topped optima.

[GoDadGo]

I mounted this exact box my trunk after exhausting my efforts to get the thing under the hood.
This battery box will fit and can be mounted to the X-Bar with a little help from some KC lighting.

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speedway-Steel-Bolt-In-Battery-Box-Tray,5334.html

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/kcc-7301/overview/

I actually have my coolant recovery tank mounted with a pair of them.
For the Battery box, you'd need two pair. (4 Clamps)


NOTE: Please Know That Mark's Stuff (Breeze Automotive) Works & I Am A Satisfied Customer!

[Arvin]

I have mine mounted low on the x-brace. Pain to put on jumper cables, battery tender, etc - really a reach! Other than that I love it.

[RickP]

Thanks Scott. Did you go with the Breeze EZ Pack Start Kit as well? What battery did you use?

I used Mark's EZ-pak start kit.

[j.miller]

The con.....you have to look at the battery.....Someone needs to make a "High Zoot" battery case.....High Zoot, lol, you have to be old to know that one.....like 1976 motocross mags...da Bat

[Blue MK3]

My recently sold car had the battery in the front and the biggest thing against the location was removing it. Bad geometry for my old back. But I think the advantages outweigh that one disadvantage.

[brewha]

I have the Breeze forward box. I think the wiring and grounding were simpler. Another plus is having the weight up front. If there is a negative, the battery would be small for any larger engine. For a SBF it's fine....

[Chuck Sloggett]

I used this battery https://www.amazon.com/Odyssey-PC680-Battery/dp/B0002ILK6I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1505872793&sr=8-1&keywords=odyssey+pc680 I mounted it on top of the passenger foot box laying on its side with the terminals toward the engine. I made a billet aluminum hold down bracket, the bolts holding the bracket are through the aluminum inside the passenger foot box. The cables are very short so there is very little loss of power to the starter. The battery itself is small in size but big on performance, it spins my 10.8:1 C/R 347 with no effort. -- Chuck

[cobrajj]

I did the Breeze battery kit up front and like the extra trunk space.

[Dave Howard]

Another vote for appearance. I personally think it clutters up the engine bay. Also adds weight to the front of the car. My battery is mounted under the trunk floor. Out of site and weight over the rear tires.

[michael everson]

I put the Breeze front mount in all my builds. For those of you considering this, Tractor supply has great prices on the battery that fits in there. I think its $84.99 for the Interstate 51C
Mike

[wareaglescott]

Multiple comments about it cluttering the engine bay or having to look at it.
From a normal look you cant even see it in my car. Maybe because the Coyote takes up so much room anyways but you have to lean way in and really be looking for it to even see it.

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=67114&d=1493635344

[Jeff Kleiner]

I've done both front and rear...haven't found any cons to the front location (and BTW, placing it at the RF is actually a better place for the weight than the LR).

Jeff

[Bob Cowan]

I put mine on top of the passenger foot box. It was out of the way, both mechanically and visually, and made for short runs of battery cable. It was pretty easy to get in and out, and didn't require removal of the valve cover. The kit was from Breeze, I think. I'm not sure if he still makes it. I did have to fabricate a drain for it.

https://i.imgur.com/psv9AZb.jpg

[JRL16]

FFMetals makes a nice battery mount for under the trunk floor. Works with the 2015 IRS with minimal trimming on the box corners. I guess the only issue with the front battery box is planning ahead especially with brake line routing.

[Yama-Bro]

I've done both front and rear...haven't found any cons to the front location (and BTW, placing it at the RF is actually a better place for the weight than the LR).

Jeff

Jeff, With the battery up front, how does it effect the front to rear weight distribution? Does it change it much? Where do you want the weight to be in the roadster (back vs front?)

[Avalanche325]

You want the weight in the back of these cars. That is why the engine sits so far back.

[MPTech]

I mounted mine up front with my 302 and like the location. The only challenge is getting the battery out is a little tougher, but doable. Then again, how often are you removing the battery??
Way more Pros than Cons for this setup. And way easier to do in the earlier stage of your build (before you install radiator is a good time)