Eaton swap Optima battery

[tdotcv]

I currently have the group 58 battery fits perfect with the battery tray in the Eaton parts list. I got an Optima red top battery from my work new for free it has a bit more cranking power but would look a lot nicer also when popping the hood. The problem is it doesn't fit inside the tray. I trimmed off the bottom of the battery they plastic pieces and it's still about 2cm off. Anyone using the swap with an Optima red top battery. How did it fit?

[jwibbity]

subscribing!

[fastblackmerc]

I currently have the group 58 battery fits perfect with the battery tray in the Eaton parts list. I got an Optima red top battery from my work new for free it has a bit more cranking power but would look a lot nicer also when popping the hood. The problem is it doesn't fit inside the tray. I trimmed off the bottom of the battery they plastic pieces and it's still about 2cm off. Anyone using the swap with an Optima red top battery. How did it fit?

I had an Optima red top in a stock MM. It fit the battery tray perfectly.

[jwibbity]

I had an Optima red top in a stock MM. It fit the battery tray perfectly.

he's talking about the 58 size optima batteries..

[tbone]

I trimmed the tray on one end with a pair of metal snips. Fits fine. Can't see the cuts. The car definitely needs the Optima batteries extra cranking power, especially when it's cold out.

[justbob]

There is plenty of universal battery trays online made specifically for the optima. All different nice designs made out of billet aluminum. Be careful as some are sold by the group size. I'm currently looking into it myself for my relocated red top.


Builder Of Badassery

[tbone]

How much are they?

[O's Fan Rich]

I put mine in the trunk..it only took 3 Optimas to get a good one!... then used a display model group 34 Motorcraft empty case for my methanol tank!

[loud2004marquis]

How much are they?

One hundred dollars

[justbob]

One hundred dollars


And up :)


Builder Of Badassery

[tbone]

ummmmmm......wow

[tdotcv]

There is plenty of universal battery trays online made specifically for the optima. All different nice designs made out of billet aluminum. Be careful as some are sold by the group size. I'm currently looking into it myself for my relocated red top.


Builder Of Badassery

Any luck finding one?

[justbob]

I picked this one up. It's about an 1 1/2" too wide so I'll either send it back or modify it.
http://m.summitracing.com/parts/hfm-btd1

Builder Of Badassery

[tdotcv]

I picked this one up. It's about an 1 1/2" too wide so I'll either send it back or modify it.
http://m.summitracing.com/parts/hfm-btd1

Builder Of Badassery

Send it back and get the right one so all of us know which one to get!

[justbob]

Is there ever a right one to these cars? I thought you had to cut, weld, drill, and Polish everything???


Builder Of Badassery

[tbone]

Just snip the plastic one and call it a day. ;)

[justbob]

Do they make a billet plastic? [emoji3]


Builder Of Badassery

[tbone]

As a matter of fact they do...I take Visa, Discover and Paypal.

[justbob]

1 1/2" removed. Smooth out and polish tomorrow. [emoji13]

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/03/31/994f695645c99bccf984717a2842c7 12.jpg

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/03/31/5c477211d5a205e83df4d6778687e8 e3.jpg

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/03/31/053a7c7a80aaef543cb8dcc0adf324 37.jpg



Builder Of Badassery

[tdotcv]

Show us the finished product lets see it installed

[tbone]

Show off.....

[justbob]

Should be tonight. At the dentist now, then din din, then car.


Builder Of Badassery

[justbob]

I suck at polishing (no patience..)

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/04/01/34bfc6b4dba40fbc0b84cac4417ff6 21.jpg


Builder Of Badassery

[tbone]

Looks good to me. Let's see it installed. :)

[tbone]

I suck at blocking hoods. And I ****ing hate it.

[justbob]

Sorry for the delay. I highly suggest seeking out a different style.. The amount of fabrication involved in making this sumbitch fit is a little over the top...

It will hit the hood if you don't remove the 1/8" thick plastic fender well that normally overhangs the metal core support. So I cut that out, bent the tab in the middle down, and installed a body clip, spacer, and bolt to hold it up.

You can really only mount at three points. Two are solid round bar drilled and tapped at the top, and welded straight down to the frame. The third is a simple hole in the core support with a body clip and bolt.

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/04/05/8bdeb847e187200a0992c61d462f3a 5e.jpg
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/04/05/b479b9df0a91bf36cd0617990534d0 0b.jpg
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/04/05/fe541f7b55d8ca0903b7d39c6e7f61 77.jpg
Finished except for the missing top bolt that I probably kicked when I kicked my welding helmet across the garage after starting a harness fire up top and melting the backside of the side marker light... Forgive the mess as all I had in arms reach was my Gatorade to throw at it! I was relocating the air compressor pump to under the core support behind the bumper when the fire broke out... Never finished around here.
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/04/05/6e5aa61653b39f9350e6f6ebf481aa 78.jpg
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/04/05/32cbd125e2e744b59a87079a2aedb2 ab.jpg
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/04/05/7d09884a44f00d9d8927646df4153f d3.jpg
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/04/05/abd1cc7d985b427c6fdf3481439dce c9.jpg


Builder Of Badassery

[tbone]

Or......you can just snip the plastic tray.;)

Looks good Bob!

[justbob]

What's this plastic you speak of? [emoji12]

Sounds too easy?


Builder Of Badassery