16 replies to this topic

[BNaumann]

Just saw battery weight was teched at RA Majors.  What are they looking for - a minimum?  GCR just says, "similar."

 

Previous owner of my car apparently installed an oversized parts-store battery which involved ditching the battery tray, bending the hold-down and installing some pieces of 2x4 for good measure.  I'd like to rectify this situation at some point, just want to know what everybody uses and what is legal.  Extensive searching didn't seem to produce any good solutions.

[Ron Alan]

It would be a good guess if you went to a local Mazda dealer and bought a battery it would be legal!

 

I believe I ordered my last one from Sams Club...Interstate battery which is the correct size.

 

I believe the theory is you cant use a larger battery which might add 10lbs of ballast in an area you cant add ballast. Bottom line for a NB car you dont want that extra 10lbs in your trunk!

[ChrisA]

Deka 8AMU1R

[Jim Drago]

Just saw battery weight was teched at RA Majors.  What are they looking for - a minimum?  GCR just says, "similar."

 

Previous owner of my car apparently installed an oversized parts-store battery which involved ditching the battery tray, bending the hold-down and installing some pieces of 2x4 for good measure.  I'd like to rectify this situation at some point, just want to know what everybody uses and what is legal.  Extensive searching didn't seem to produce any good solutions.

 

It was actually kind of funny as I saw my crew guy carrying my battery to the scales..  All of us in tech at the same time.. what the hell does the battery need to weigh? I said hopefully a few lbs less than that one. Mine was an O'reillys replacement, same size and weighed 24 lbs.. Evidently it was similar enough  I think they were just checking to make sure none were substantially different? but I really don't know

[Bench Racer]

"way", weigh for the guy that likes to bust balls.

[speedengineer]

Brian, 

 

I'm not sure if it's truly available for order, but a while back I saw that you could place a mazda oem batter in your cart on mazdamotorsports, and with the discount it was cheaper than I could buy at a local auto parts store. 

 

Also, when you switch back to oem size battery, you will need to create a legit battery tray or other method of securing the battery.  Stock tray with stock hold-down is insufficient, as I found out back in 2013.  Rubble strips -> eventually battery wiggles and slides->  positive post shorts to hold-down bracket ->  bad!

 

Also, I think the miata battery is specific only to the miata.  When I bought my last one at either an oreilly or autozone, the guy said that the battery actually had "miata" within the part number/name.

[KW78]

It would be a good guess if you went to a local Mazda dealer and bought a battery it would be legal!

 

I believe I ordered my last one from Sams Club...Interstate battery which is the correct size.

 

I believe the theory is you cant use a larger battery which might add 10lbs of ballast in an area you cant add ballast. Bottom line for a NB car you dont want that extra 10lbs in your trunk!

 

Actually, NO...  

 

Mazda doesn't make or sell the correct OE battery any more.  The original was a fiberglass wrap battery that lasted years and years.  The replacements are lead acid cells, which is a completely different technology.  That seems pretty non similar.

 

It doesn't matter what we theorize here, the rules are clear....  that they are ambiguous.  There is no technical glossary entry for "similar".

 

TECH and everyone should read the rule.  I saw they weighed batteries at the runoffs as well last year.  I hope this isn't SCCA tech trying to play gotcha with an open ended spec like they have so many times before, especially in this class.

 

The following incident at miller has changed the way we handle the battery rule.    I got hit hard in the right rear from the side as I was mostly around one of the sweepers, counter-steered and went off with tires digging in with the sidewalls.  The hit crushed the fenderwell, crushed the battery, popped one of the caps off the battery, and the way the car stopped, threw acid EVERYWHERE in the trunk!  It looked like a fire and the fumes were really bad too.  

 

Anyone in my customer base that saw that damage now have fiberglass wrap batteries, and the rules allow that.  Anything as small as the OEM size is generally some kind of race battery.  Interstate Batteries bumps up to a larger group size to get their fiberglass wrap battery.  

 

To my knowledge, the rule wasn't about a heavy battery but about a light one to make weight in the 1.6 cars.  Especially at 2275 there were alot of tiny batteries around then.

 

ALSO, I highly recommend everyone buys or makes one of these (AGAIN the rules specifically allow and highly recommend these):

 

http://www.advanced-...products_id=671

 

 

The steel plate on the bottom holds the shape of the fender cavity in most accidents.  This would have prevented the mess I had at Miller.  Most of the cars around here run these 

 

My .02

Kyle

 

Short of making weight for a 1.6 rental, we run larger batteries.  These guys really like to run cool suits, helmet blowers, and radiator fans when sitting in grid or in impound.  The larger battery has kept the drama of the car barely starting or worse when it is time to go on grid, which ruins the race concentration of the typical renter, especially newbies  (See I was 7th...  ) 

 

(BTW using the term fiberglass wrap as "AGM")

[ChrisA]

The Deka battery I meantioned above is an AGM battery. They are the manufacture for many/most of store branded batteries, AutoZone, NAPA, Westco, etc., that fit the Miata. it is a couple lbs heavier than the OE Panasonic battery, which was an awesome battery. Mazda replacement is a wet cell battery.

[davew]

As an Interstate dealer for almost 20 years, I stock their Miata battery. The part number is MX5. Until I moved into this building, the local distributer never sold Miata batteries and did not stock them. FYI, in an emergency a Honda battery is the same footprint but a little taller. This is usually available at any auto parts store. The hold down bracket will need slight modification and a long bolt, but it will get you through the weekend.

 

The rule is intended to keep anyone from using a larger or smaller battery depending upon your preference. Stick with an oem cross referenced equivilant and you will be fine.

 

After seeing many incedents as described by Kyle above, I designed the all metal battery tray. It fits the fender well shape and does not even need to be bolted in place, although I do recommend it. We also apply several layers of insulation (racers tape) to the inner fender well to protect the positive battery terminal from shorting in the event of the body being pushed into the battery.

 

Dave

[Jim Drago]

I didnt know you made that piece Dave. that is a very nice piece and the ew ones are no longer available from Mazda. the ones that come with car are all broken as well

Jim

[Ron Alan]

Hmmm...this kind of went all over! But in an informative way!

 

Soooo....

 

Is there a max or min weight spelled out in the rules? (David...)

 

Is there a specific size spelled out?

 

What is the exact purpose of the rule...or what is the rule trying to eliminate? Heavy batteries? Light batteries? Larger amperage batteries? All the above?

 

And is a wet cell battery ok? fiberglass battery(AGM)? 

[Paul44]

BatteryMart.com offers an AGM battery.  Delivered to my door last month was $99.  I now have them in both of my Miatas.  I'm not associated with this company in any way.  Battery is marked as made in USA.

 

Paul Gilbert

[davew]

The INTENT of the rule is to use a stock replacement battery of  the same size, shape and weight. But allows you to be slightly off on any measurement for assorted manufacturing differences between Mazda, DEKA, Interstate etc.

 

Maybe the SMAC should address the issue, and state some specs to make sure we know exactly what the spec is. Especially if this is going to be a tech enforcable item.

 

dave

[surlynkid]

Too funny - making weight in a 1.6 at 2275 or 2290. My wife runs 30 lbs ballast, a full cool shirt box and extra fuel and can hit weight at 2290. It pays to be fit and trim.

Either way - we are using Optima yellow top D51R which is 26 pounds.

[Bench Racer]

Hmmm...this kind of went all over! But in an informative way!

 

Soooo....

 

Is there a max or min weight spelled out in the rules? (David...)

 

Is there a specific size spelled out?

 

When I review my 1990 FSM under section G, Engine Electrical System, Outline Specifications, Battery/Type and Capacity, B6 DOHC, S46A24L (S) (32 Ah)         

 

OEM it is a Panasonic AGM (glass mat maintenance free) 23.149 pounds, rounded off physical size is L 7 5/8" x W 5 1/8 " x H 7 3/32"

[BNaumann]

Thanks for the input guys, going to pick up an OE-fit AGM and one of Dave's trays when I get around to it.

 

All of you who think ballasting that corner is a good idea, feel free to make a 35lb battery tray.

[Bench Racer]

All of you who think ballasting that corner is a good idea, feel free to make a 35lb battery tray.

Ahh BUT

 

9.1.8.C. Authorized Modifications

Permitted components or modifications must not perform a prohibited function.