Safe to cut this area out while body is on the rotisserie?

[Bitchin'57]

My quick analysis agrees with the "215 pound test".

The structure is fine, now it's a matter of how that stuff is attached to that nice box.

As of right now, the only piece of equipment that I know is going on the deck will be a Diehard battery, housed in an Artec Industries battery box.

[Rick_L]

My point on that was that you shouldn't just put a bolt hole out in the middle of the sheet metal with no reinforcement, where it might pull through or distort the sheet metal. Not hard to make right.

[55 Rescue Dog]

I would look to stash the battery lower, and underneath the cover somehow.

[Bitchin'57]

I would look to stash the battery lower, and underneath the cover somehow.

???

[Bitchin'57]

My point on that was that you shouldn't just put a bolt hole out in the middle of the sheet metal with no reinforcement, where it might pull through or distort the sheet metal. Not hard to make right.

Large OD fender washers will take care of that. Keep in mind, that top sheet metal is 14 gauge CRS.

[55 Rescue Dog]

???

Just something to consider. The lower you can mount dead weight, like a battery would be as low, right, and in between the F/R axels, the better is all.

[chevynut]

The lower you can mount dead weight, like a battery would be as low, right, and in between the F/R axels, the better is all.

Please explain why it's better to put a battery between the front and rear axles.

[55 Rescue Dog]

Please explain why it's better to put a battery between the front and rear axles.

Might not be possible on a tri-5, but any mass away from the center of the car increases the polar moment of inertia, and mounted high would raise the CG a bit too. The stock battery location is not a very good spot for a battery either. If it could fit, under the rear seat would be the best spot for extra weight. Mounted high on the right rear would be a good spot for forward traction though.

[chevynut]

I understand the polar moment of inertia argument and that's why my Porsche handles so well, since the engine is in front of the rear axle. But from a practical point of view it's not very feasible (or safe) to mount a battery inside the car. Maybe I should have put mine in the console. Since these cars are usually front heavy, wouldn't mounting the additional weight at or behind the rear axle improve weight distribution? Mine is behind the right rear tire, in the wheelwell, about at cargo floor level.

You can nitpick about what's best all day, but in the end the location of a 40 pound battery isn't going to make much difference on anything but an all-out race car, and not much there either. The driver would be better off losing a few pounds.

[55 Rescue Dog]

I understand the polar moment of inertia argument and that's why my Porsche handles so well, since the engine is in front of the rear axle. But from a practical point of view it's not very feasible (or safe) to mount a battery inside the car. Maybe I should have put mine in the console. Since these cars are usually front heavy, wouldn't mounting the additional weight at or behind the rear axle improve weight distribution? Mine is behind the right rear tire, in the wheelwell, about at cargo floor level.

You can nitpick about what's best all day, but in the end the location of a 40 pound battery isn't going to make much difference on anything but an all-out race car, and not much there either. The driver would be better off losing a few pounds.

If battery placement makes little difference, why do some OEM's mount the battery under the rear seat, or in the rear?
Even the C3 Corvette had the battery mounted directly behind the driver seat, and it was acid filled! I would definitely use a AGM battery, which is what I used when I had a C3. The battery can be useful ballast, and actually in the console would be a great place.