Spec Boxster Build

[thstone]

Batteries.

Most of the cars in Spec Boxster run an Odyssey Extreme battery. They work great and weigh quite a bit less than a standard full size battery.

Well, they work great until they don't. Everything will be fine and then the battery will be dead as a doornail without any warning or hint of running down. This has happened twice - one time at the track and Brad Roberts had to R/R the battery in 5 mins with me suited up in the car so I could make a race.

The last thing that I need is more stress or something else to worry about at the track. So, now I treat the battery as a standard maintenance item and replace it every 12-18 months (around $150).

[specboxCO]

Originally Posted by thstone

Batteries.

Most of the cars in Spec Boxster run an Odyssey Extreme battery. They work great and weigh quite a bit less than a standard full size battery.

That's a huge battery for a Spec Box. It weighs over 26lbs, puts weight high up in a bad spot. Most guys in TX & CO run a DEKA ETX14 or ETX12 which can be bought for $60 and weigh 12 or 10lbs respectively.

Do yourself a favor and take this opportunity to save 16lbs of weight and some cash.

Edit: Pull the cutoff switch when you park the car and you never have to worry about a dead battery.

[thstone]

Originally Posted by specboxCO

That's a huge battery for a Spec Box. It weighs over 26lbs, puts weight high up in a bad spot. Most guys in TX & CO run a DEKA ETX14 or ETX12 which can be bought for $60 and weigh 12 or 10lbs respectively.

Do yourself a favor and take this opportunity to save 16lbs of weight and some cash.

Edit: Pull the cutoff switch when you park the car and you never have to worry about a dead battery.

You are correct.

However, because this is still a street legal car and I drive it to events, it needs to start reliably (as in every time) - even after a night in the hotel parking lot at 30F during the winter. Unfortunately, I don't have the luxury of jump starting from the truck that was used to tow the trailer if the Boxster battery doesn't have enough juice.

But your point is a good one and I'll take another look at them...

[seningen]

Originally Posted by thstone

You are correct.

However, because this is still a street legal car and I drive it to events, it needs to start reliably (as in every time) - even after a night in the hotel parking lot at 30F during the winter. Unfortunately, I don't have the luxury of jump starting from the truck that was used to tow the trailer if the Boxster battery doesn't have enough juice.

But your point is a good one and I'll take another look at them...

Street battery and a track battery.

I know storage space is probably a premium when you travel but it's an option.

Mike

[jsceash]

Originally Posted by seningen

Street battery and a track battery.

I know storage space is probably a premium when you travel but it's an option.

Mike

The holder for the Odyssey PC925 is different than the smaller deka ETX14. So He have to have both and replace the tray as well.

Tom, with a full electrical system car I'm OK for about 6 week in cold weather then I have to run the car or charge it. I also run the PC925.
Jesse

[Greg Holmberg]

Where does one get holders for batteries that will work in my Spec Boxster? Either Odyssey or Deka.

[jsceash]

Look on Renline for the PC925. Also look at summit racing

[Greg Holmberg]

Useful information about maintaining Odyssey batteries.

Dry Cell Batteries - Jay Leno's Garage

I learned: don't use a BatteryTender, it's not designed for AGM batteries, and will shorten their lives. Use an Odyssey or CTek charger.

[jaykay]

Originally Posted by thstone

Batteries.

Most of the cars in Spec Boxster run an Odyssey Extreme battery. They work great and weigh quite a bit less than a standard full size battery.

Well, they work great until they don't. Everything will be fine and then the battery will be dead as a doornail without any warning or hint of running down. This has happened twice - one time at the track and Brad Roberts had to R/R the battery in 5 mins with me suited up in the car so I could make a race.

The last thing that I need is more stress or something else to worry about at the track. So, now I treat the battery as a standard maintenance item and replace it every 12-18 months (around $150).

Tom I have used one of these on in my boxster for a good 5 years. If you are able to keep it plugged in on a modern Ctek when not in use, you should get considerably more life and reliability out them. The Ctek will give you a mini battery reconditioning program while the car sits....then again I don't live in the desert!

[jaykay]

Tom,

What suspension bushing kit are you going to put it when you get to it?

[thstone]

Originally Posted by jaykay

Tom,

What suspension bushing kit are you going to put it when you get to it?

I'm not sure yet. Need to check the rules and see what my options might be. The suspension refresh will probably happen over Thanksgiving or Christmas so I have a little time get the parts together. I'll post up info when I have it.

[Greg Holmberg]

The PCA rules say: no urethane suspension bushings, all bushings must remain stock.

[thstone]

Originally Posted by Greg Holmberg

The PCA rules say: no urethane suspension bushings, all bushings must remain stock.

Thanks for checking that info! I guess this makes the decision pretty easy.

[jaykay]

If one were to install the optimum bushing set ....what would it be? I don't think I can go back to the spongy black bushings in the front end of the 986; nor do I desire race car solids. A urethane kit would be the ticket