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View Full Version : Lightweight Battery Install and something else to come

FunkRider
07-13-2008, 05:16 PM
So I needed to replace the stock 8 year old Panasonic battery in my car. I decided to loose some weight at the same time. I purchased a Big crank ETX14 from batterymart.com. Its a re-badged Deka EXT14 at a cheaper price. This is also the exact same battery that many companies re-badge as a lightweight racing battery for as much as $200.
http://www.batterymart.com/p-Big-Crank-ETX14-Battery.html

I'm not concerned with amp hours as I don't sit around with my stereo running etc. I use the battery to start the car and that is it and I won't be driving this car in the snow so CCA don't concern me either. These batteries have been used to crank over high compression V8's in the AI (American Iron) racing series for multiple seasons. Overall a great tired and tested AGM battery.

I removed my stock Panasonic battery that would no longer hold a charge enough to turn my FP-DE over. I weighed it at 37.8lbs, The EXT14 came in at 11.7lbs. 26lbs off of my front end. I will also be removing my AC compressor and doing another mod that will loose some more weight from my front end.

In the pictures you'll notice how small this battery actually is compared to the stock battery. The stock battery mount is only temporary and its only to keep the battery in place just moving the car around. I'm building one from aluminum to loose a few more pounds as we speak.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o7/FunkRider/protegeheaderbattery001.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o7/FunkRider/protegeheaderbattery002.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o7/FunkRider/protegeheaderbattery003.jpg





And here is a preview of what else I plan on installing to loose some more weight (and pick up a few hp) Its a full length 4-2-1 fully polished stainless tig welded header. It is intended for use on a 2nd gen probe/MX-6 2.0 but will bolt up fine in my Protege minus the existing exhaust pipe on the car. I was planning on taking a Honda header and putting an FS/FP exhaust flange on but this is obviously much more easy. The stock EGR tube clearly won't bolt up but I'm not concerned with that right now.

I measured the primary and secondary lengths and pipe diameters and calculated it should be tuned for peak power on my car for around 5000ish rpm. I might shorten the secondary lengths later to give more hp in the 6000ish range but I'll have to see what it does to my power band as is first. My midrange power is already great as of now and this should make it even better as well add torque and high rpm hp. I will installing a Magnaflow/Carsound OBDII compliant highflow cat behind the header and building my own 2.25 catback with a magnaflow resonator and muffler.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o7/FunkRider/protegeheaderbattery004.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o7/FunkRider/protegeheaderbattery005.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o7/FunkRider/protegeheaderbattery006.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o7/FunkRider/protegeheaderbattery007.jpg
KZL_99ES
07-13-2008, 05:46 PM
Lookin' good! & you will defiantly enjoy the high end gains from that very shiny header! Have fun, and remember to put in a non-fouler if you have emissions testing.
Not Jo3L
07-15-2008, 02:09 PM
so you only paid like $60 for the battery that weighs 11 pounds
KZL_99ES
07-15-2008, 02:10 PM
how much do the normal batteries weigh? and what about those yellow/red top ones?
Not Jo3L
07-15-2008, 02:13 PM
on their site it says most of them weigh from low 30s to high 30s
KZL_99ES
07-15-2008, 02:38 PM
hell, 20 lbs for $60 is pretty damn good if i'd say so myself!
Not Jo3L
07-15-2008, 02:42 PM
yeah but do you think it has the capability of handling my 1000 watt amp with 2 12" subs?

I know now that I get headlight dimming under heavy bass.
njaremka
07-15-2008, 02:47 PM
yeah but do you think it has the capability of handling my 1000 watt amp with 2 12" subs?

I know now that I get headlight dimming under heavy bass.

are you saying you are worried about weight, and you have a 1000w amp and 2 12" subs?!?!?


OP: thats a sweet header :D
Not Jo3L
07-15-2008, 02:53 PM
are you saying you are worried about weight, and you have a 1000w amp and 2 12" subs?!?!?


OP: thats a sweet header :D

not about weight..but about the power a smaller battery will generate in terms of a larger battery like I have now which is some costco battery.

and yes..here is my set up

you can barely see the amp in the bottom of the picture
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a30/harobiker626/DSC02489.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a30/harobiker626/DSC02491.jpg
KZL_99ES
07-15-2008, 02:57 PM
for me it might not be that bad, i dont really run anything when the car not running, i dont have any amps or subs either...

ooo, and make sure you (OP) get some pics up when you put in that shiny header!
njaremka
07-15-2008, 03:01 PM
not about weight..but about the power a smaller battery will generate in terms of a larger battery like I have now which is some costco battery.

and yes..here is my set up

you can barely see the amp in the bottom of the picture



if you are not worried about the weight, just get a regular replacement and be done.
Not Jo3L
07-15-2008, 03:16 PM
well the price of this battery is very attractive to me and if I save weight in the process thats even better. I was looking at a Red Top to match my car and the theme of red throughout it...but the price is waayyy to much compared to this.
red99pro
07-15-2008, 03:20 PM
I Had Thought About Buying A Light Battery. I Just Bought A New One Sunday, And As I Was Swiching It Out I Was Like Hell No I Shud Look Into One Of Those Light Batteies, But I Didnt Really Bother Cause I Was Sure Of The Price Or Where O Get One. Thats Good For You Though.

Oem Battery Crew Checking Out