Larger battery size

[KarlBristol]

I read somewhere that a larger battery fits in the OEM location but I can't find any mention of it anymore...

Does anyone know if this is the case and what size battery will fit in the frunk space comfortably?

[ashley]

Just out of curiosity- why do you want a larger battery?

[KarlBristol]

Just out of curiosity- why do you want a larger battery?

I just figured that a physically larger battery would generally mean it has a larger capacity (I appreciate that this isn't always the case but I'm speaking in generalities). This would mean that up to a standard size battery it's under less load and therefore wouldn't wear as quickly. I'm all about over-engineering to prevent problems before they even happen

I'm not sure if I'm on the right tracks/my knowledge is correct but it seemed sensible to me. Plus I figured that a larger engine with more electrical draw, lots of extra fans, a larger stereo than standard, etc... would all place an extra load on the battery that a standard size and capacity one might not be up to the task for in the long term.

As this is becoming my daily driver I want to make it as reliable as possible.

On top of that a little extra weight up front to balance the car out some more cant be a bad thing

[Peter Gidden]

Your engine turns over at a good speed when cranking.

IMHO, no bigger battery required.

[KarlBristol]

Well my battery is god knows how old (without looking through the receipt books I think around 5-6 years old now) so I guess it's time to replace I now anyway.

So just stick a standard size one in then?

If I'm replacing the battery anyway is it not an advantage to have a bigger one in there?

[rrx]

When running the draw on the electrical system is from the alternator, so replacing the battery for a "larger" one wont actually achieve alot, you could replace it with a better quality battery but again the majority of the work, other than starting the car and the odd instant heavy load, is done by the alternator

[ashley]

Bigger = heavier, heavier is never good imo

[KarlBristol]

Playing devils advocate here - a slightly heavier front end would balance out the car a bit more thus give it a little more stability

[rrx]

Just put a bag of haribo in the front then, about the same difference and very usefull in an emergency situation

[KarlBristol]

Just put a bag of haribo in the front then, about the same difference and very usefull in an emergency situation

So general consensus is just to replace with the OEM size battery then?

[rrx]

A good quality battery of normal size will be fine

[ashley]

...and tweak your suspension to sort out any instability

[Ryan6926]

I put a Bosch S4 in my old Celica, got it from Euro Car Parts, they seem to have a higher output than most others and are well priced too

[KarlBristol]

Suspension is all brand new, polybushed, lowered and freshly aligned. I was just thinking about more even weight distribution

[KarlBristol]

I put a Bosch S4 in my old Celica, got it from Euro Car Parts, they seem to have a higher output than most others and are well priced too

Thanks for the heads up

[Ryan6926]

You're more than welcome

Personally I'd wait until the winter gets here they have better deals on then. I got 25% off and it cost just under 60 quid whereas Halfords wanted 90 odd and the Bosch has a 4 better CCA etc

[ashley]

Suspension is all brand new, polybushed, lowered and freshly aligned. I was just thinking about more even weight distribution

Adjustable ARBs and camber adjustments will let you adjust how each end acts in relation to other when cornering, and you can tweak how it handles in a straight line by playing with castor angles, tracking and to an extent front vs rear ride height. It's all about tweaking what you have already to improve balance and handling- I'd only add weight as a last resort imo

[KarlBristol]

You're more than welcome

Personally I'd wait until the winter gets here they have better deals on then. I got 25% off and it cost just under 60 quid whereas Halfords wanted 90 odd and the Bosch has a 4 better CCA etc

I have a family member who works at a parts supplier which will remain un-named (like Euro car parts but better) so I get staff rates anyway

[KarlBristol]

Suspension is all brand new, polybushed, lowered and freshly aligned. I was just thinking about more even weight distribution

Adjustable ARBs and camber adjustments will let you adjust how each end acts in relation to other when cornering, and you can tweak how it handles in a straight line by playing with castor angles, tracking and to an extent front vs rear ride height. It's all about tweaking what you have already to improve balance and handling- I'd only add weight as a last resort imo

Thats not a bad shout, thanks.

Every post you make recently generally results in me going off and looking at Whiteline arb prices. If only the impending baby would hurry up, be born, grown up and move out I think I'd have the available cash to buy them without fear of being killed by the mrs

[KarlBristol]

On a side note regarding the car set up whilst your here Ash - obviously I have slightly lowered suspension. TFS are making up a set of adjustable drop links for me (thanks to Delfis shoddy workmanship). As the suspension has been dropped would it be recommended to shorten the drop links to compensate or is their effect on the overall stability and set-up negligible (ie set them to standard length)?