11 replies to this topic

[Mark McCallister]

While I'm quoting FastTracks, since that Prelims thread went down a track-width rabbit hole, note that the October FastTrack puts in a new specification for battery weights instead of just being "similar" to OEM (whatever that was) :

 

Batteries shall weigh 18.0-28.0 lbs.

 

Also new piston maximum diameters which I'm sure is exciting to the engine builders.

 

-Mark

 

 

[mglobe]

In the days when lightweight batteries were expensive this made a lot of sense.  Not sure I understand why the limitation now.  You can get very light batteries for the same price as stock weights.  Comments?

[Todd Lamb]

It's not a limitation. We've just defined "similar" based on a number of common replacement batteries we measured. Hard to tech to the word "similar".

[Jim Drago]

In the days when lightweight batteries were expensive this made a lot of sense.  Not sure I understand why the limitation now.  You can get very light batteries for the same price as stock weights.  Comments?

Just because we can, why do we need to?  IMO, defining a weight as they did is a good idea and hurts no one. If you want to get the most of the rule, use an 18lb battery.  If not particularly worried about it, put a stock battery in it and forget it. 

[mglobe]

It's a cheap and easy way to drop some weight. In the NB's it doesn't matter that much I guess, but in a 1.6 or 1.8 the better eaters in the class may have issues making weight. Why not allow a lighter battery, particularly when it doesn't raise costs much if at all?

[Alberto]

This could be helpful.  My car/driver combo needs to lose a combined ~60lbs of weight to hit the min for a 1.6

[Jim Drago]

It's a cheap and easy way to drop some weight. In the NB's it doesn't matter that much I guess, but in a 1.6 or 1.8 the better eaters in the class may have issues making weight. Why not allow a lighter battery, particularly when it doesn't raise costs much if at all?

My 99 is over as well. but thats all me

I just weighed a true mazda battery from these cars. It was just under 20 lbs

Jim 

[chris haldeman]

I must have been thinking wrong. I was thinking the weights were too keep people from putting heavy batteries over the light tire? Appearently my old 24# battery box in my 1.6 was wrong :-)

[Bench Racer]

Alberto, me 1.6 be 2020 lb with 1 gallon fuel and cool suite cooler with 2 gallon water. All set for a chubby vintage

driver.

[Jim Drago]

I must have been thinking wrong. I was thinking the weights were too keep people from putting heavy batteries over the light tire? Appearently my old 24# battery box in my 1.6 was wrong :-)

If I had that luxory... thats what I would be doing

[mglobe]

If I had that luxory... thats what I would be doing

Me too, and that's sort of my point.  Weight is a big deal in these cars.  Why not allow a very cost effective way for people to get 20lbs out of the car.  You can get a 1.5lb LIFEPO battery from Battery Tender that will work fine for $99.

[Bench Racer]

If I had that luxory... thats what I would be doing

On the other hand, The 20/20 by Dr. Phil.