Battery choice?

[Wilder]

I was just wondering what battery you would recommend to provide the most grunt in starting a 6.3.
I currently have an Oddessey PC265 which has let me down a couple of times, and so has to go.
To be fair, its probably been on the car from new, so it may just be at the end of its life.
What do you guys use or recommend?
Thanks.

[ROWDYRENAULT]

Wilder: I have a PC 925. At first it looks like it will not fit. but if you mount it with the terminals forward and raise the batteray about an inch it will fit. I have a 383 cu inch 550hp plus LS1 I have never once had a slow response on start. I also use a #2 full copper cable to the starter with appropraite ends I think sometimes some of these issues get lost in the details. Hope that helps, Lee

[Wilder]

Thanks Lee, thats useful info.
The cars in the Autosport show, so everything has to be spot on...Of course making sure it starts is fairly important

[Graham-P]

I changed my PC265 for a Varley Red Top from Merlin Motorsport a bit bigger fit (longer and higher) but worth it. Had cause to turn my engine over for around a minute or more this year as she just wouldn't start getting off the EuroTrain I think the PC265 would've died after a few secs.

Edited by Graham-P on Thursday 6th November 08:34

[V8 Vum]

Guys,

Are the std main cables supplied by the factory (especially the red one) MAN enough for the LS7?

I thought I heard a roumour that they could be better. Problem for me is that I have already run the red one down the side and covered with the side-pods and body....

cheers

Keith

[wb200]

To Wilder: Decided to replace the standard Ultima Factory batt with a Varley Red Top 40. Never let me down so far. It's definitely a vast improvement in terms of CCA and capacity. Also it's slim enough to fit nicely into the battery slot. Only downside is it costs a pretty penny.

To V8 Vum: So far so good on the standard main cables with an LS-7. Hope I'll never have to eat my words on that.

[GTRMikie]

My Varley Red Top has been going strong for 9 years now.

[YIIHAA]

GTRMikie said:

My Varley Red Top has been going strong for 9 years now.

Mine has lasted 8 years. They were the original factory fit. They provide incredible cranking current. The only problem with them is that they don't like to be run flat. If you have any continuous auxiliary load, like an alarm or stereo, I would avoid them, unless you have an isolator switch.

[ROWDYRENAULT]

I do not know about the quality of the factory power cable (bat to starter). In the states and I would assume elsewhere, if you go to a welding supply house they will build you a power cable of multi-strand pure copper cable with properly swedged ends. I chose this route because I can get the lenght to the exact inch and the cable is as good as it gets. same thing on a smaller scale for the aux ground I installed in the back. I have learned through my walet and a Pantera (OH GOD WHAT A TERRIBLE CAR) that bad grounds and power cables can cause problems of many colors. Fry a starter in this car and thats were I would look first. Burn up and MSD same thing. I am not an electrical guy, just cheap! lee

[Wilder]

Looks like the Varley red top gets the nod here. Thanks for the advice everyone.

[JoulesCanAm]

ROWDYRENAULT said:

I have learned through my walet and a Pantera (OH GOD WHAT A TERRIBLE CAR)

Umm, what is sooo bad about the Pantera that a few upgrades here and there can't fix? I have two of them and I think if it came down to it there would still be one in my garage long after the Ultima and GT40 are gone!

[GTRMikie]

YIIHAA said:

The only problem with them is that they don't like to be run flat. If you have any continuous auxiliary load, like an alarm or stereo, I would avoid them, unless you have an isolator switch.

Or keep them hooked up to an Optimate when not in use.

[Wilder]

you can get a solar unit to keep the battery conditioned (plugs into the cig lighter socket)I had one for my TVR & it was only £20 -worked a treat.