battery in rear storage area - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

ZR1 MK · 09-30-2005

BATTERY INSTALLATION IN REAR STORAGE COMPARTMENT

The ZR1 Corvette is heaviest at the left front and lightest at the right rear, so this modification is a benefit for better weight distribution. It improves handling, braking and acceleration.
Keep in mind there are quite a few ways to do the installation. Some run cable in the car and use two cables to the original connections. I ran the negative wire to the right rear frame as pictured. The positive wire went over the tunnel and along the frame rail next to the brake lines to a disconnect switch located at original battery location. I used cable designed for low voltage. Some use welding type cable. I actually used that type of cable on a previous car, but a few sources state that welding type cable is not as good for 12 volt systems. Itâ€™s basically a small strand vs large strand issue. I see cable kits available with 4 gauge cable, but I recommend 1 gauge as the smallest cable to use.
I used a piece of 4â€x4â€ wood for the bottom of the rear portion of the storage compartment so the battery would sit flush with the front portion of the compartment. A steel plate is used on the outside bottom portion of the storage compartment to support the clamping rods. I didn't find a battery tray that I liked during installation so I neglected to use one. I thought I would get to it in the future, but didn't. The battery can't be moved if you were to try and move it by hand, but extreme G forces and vibrations will shift it, therefore a tray is required for proper installation. Thatâ€™s why I put a foam block in for track use and tool kits for street use.
I use and highly recommend the Optima battery. Itâ€™s a gel design and therefore its venting requirement is far less than a standard acid battery. I did supply venting holes for my installation as gels do vent regardless of how small. See Optimaâ€™s website (www.optimabatteries.com) for more information on venting and other great battery facts.
I also didn't use a fuse directly at the battery. The portion of cable from the battery to the disconnect switch is unprotected. I don't think this is a problem for my use and needs, but you may want to consider this.
See my website (www.cardomain.com/id/zr1mk) for more pictures of the installation.

09-30-2005	#1
ZR1 MK Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: NY Posts: 142	battery in rear storage area BATTERY INSTALLATION IN REAR STORAGE COMPARTMENT The ZR1 Corvette is heaviest at the left front and lightest at the right rear, so this modification is a benefit for better weight distribution. It improves handling, braking and acceleration. Keep in mind there are quite a few ways to do the installation. Some run cable in the car and use two cables to the original connections. I ran the negative wire to the right rear frame as pictured. The positive wire went over the tunnel and along the frame rail next to the brake lines to a disconnect switch located at original battery location. I used cable designed for low voltage. Some use welding type cable. I actually used that type of cable on a previous car, but a few sources state that welding type cable is not as good for 12 volt systems. Itâ€™s basically a small strand vs large strand issue. I see cable kits available with 4 gauge cable, but I recommend 1 gauge as the smallest cable to use. I used a piece of 4â€x4â€ wood for the bottom of the rear portion of the storage compartment so the battery would sit flush with the front portion of the compartment. A steel plate is used on the outside bottom portion of the storage compartment to support the clamping rods. I didn't find a battery tray that I liked during installation so I neglected to use one. I thought I would get to it in the future, but didn't. The battery can't be moved if you were to try and move it by hand, but extreme G forces and vibrations will shift it, therefore a tray is required for proper installation. Thatâ€™s why I put a foam block in for track use and tool kits for street use. I use and highly recommend the Optima battery. Itâ€™s a gel design and therefore its venting requirement is far less than a standard acid battery. I did supply venting holes for my installation as gels do vent regardless of how small. See Optimaâ€™s website (www.optimabatteries.com) for more information on venting and other great battery facts. I also didn't use a fuse directly at the battery. The portion of cable from the battery to the disconnect switch is unprotected. I don't think this is a problem for my use and needs, but you may want to consider this. See my website (www.cardomain.com/id/zr1mk) for more pictures of the installation.