relocate battery?

[Punch]

would there be any benifit to relocating the battery to the trunk?

how much work would this be, and would it open up much space in the engine compartment?

[LAF]

Well all I ever seen on the subject is to NEVER have your battery in your cabin space, sealed battery, or not. That said I do think there is a special type that is SUPPOSED to be safe in the cabin. Also there are a type that are way lighter than our OEM. Dont know about longevity of them though.

What would you(we)use that space for after its removal?

[GLH_TC 16V]

The benefit as you stated would be freeing up some space in the engine compartment, possibly for a cold air intake. You would also get a very minor increase in the balance of the car, which would result in slightly better handling.

The downside is slightly worse traction when launching since you are removing weight from over the drive wheels. Also, you are losing some cargo space in the rear obviously. Depends on how you use your PT. More sport? or more utility?

[Kirby]

The charging system (in the pcm) depends on a temperature sensor underneath the battery that is calibrated for the engine compartment temperatures....move the battery at your peril!

[SteelBlueGT]

I would say choose a good sealed battery like Optima and a nice battery box like Steeda sells and have at it! Use very heavy wire and make a great ground! I think it may be a lot of work for minimal benfits in a car as heavy as ours!

[Kirby]

I would love to be able to find an Optima battery to replace our stocker.... here in Southern Cal even the best of regular batteries only last about 2 years for me (Die Hard, Exide NASCAR, etc.)

[wagonmaster]

In my Drag racing days we used to put the batteries in the trunk over the right rear wheel to help with traction. Of course with front wheel drive this isn't an issue, but the space for a good cold air system could be most helpful! Certainly worth looking into.
Joe

[8)]

[SteelBlueGT]

Kirby, of course if you relocated that battery to the back you would not have a problem finding a battery that would fit! Never found an Optima that fit my Daughter's Neon without redoing her cables either!! Bought her a Die Hard top of the line and so far (2 years) no problems! BTW same price as Optima!!

[Kirby]

My experience only so far...the die hard gold has lasted the longest even though it did not have the highest CCA rating.

I am still concerned about the mention of a sensor in the battery box and it's connection to the charging cycle in our PT?

[Stephen R.]

Check out the tech here.

With a skinny thing like that, you can mount it inside a rear hatch panel or keep it under the hood and still gain cold-air room.