Legroom – downsize or relocate battery???
Discussion
Hi,
I’ve recently joined the TVR ranks with a Chimaera 400 and so far am well impressed by it. However, I was hoping to make some more passenger legroom – unfortunately getting a shorter girlfriend is too expensive an option!
The immediate options that spring to mind are:
- Change to a slimmer battery such as an Odyssey http://www.odysseybatteries.com/battery/pc680mjt.htm but not sure whether this battery is up to the job, and whether it will be much of a gain in legroom (keeping it in the footwell).
- Relocate the battery to the boot (leaving fuses & relays alone in the footwell), not sure whether to use a good lead acid battery or whether I should go to something else (Odyssey, Optima, others???). Also would need to ensure that the roof can still be stowed and probably need some sort of battery box or cover to prevent accidental shorting of the battery.
Any tips, experiences or ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Craig
I’ve recently joined the TVR ranks with a Chimaera 400 and so far am well impressed by it. However, I was hoping to make some more passenger legroom – unfortunately getting a shorter girlfriend is too expensive an option!
The immediate options that spring to mind are:
- Change to a slimmer battery such as an Odyssey http://www.odysseybatteries.com/battery/pc680mjt.htm but not sure whether this battery is up to the job, and whether it will be much of a gain in legroom (keeping it in the footwell).
- Relocate the battery to the boot (leaving fuses & relays alone in the footwell), not sure whether to use a good lead acid battery or whether I should go to something else (Odyssey, Optima, others???). Also would need to ensure that the roof can still be stowed and probably need some sort of battery box or cover to prevent accidental shorting of the battery.
Any tips, experiences or ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Craig
An easier option than moving the battery ( although that has been done in the past, see the Griffith pages website) might be to trim back the 'fishtail' trim piece so the seat can come a little further back ( should gain an inch or so) although you may also have to move the seat runners further back as well
Matt
Matt
Tahiti450 relocated his to the boot. Was on this thread, but pics have disappeared... 
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
Smith-E,
As mentioned above there is a guide to installing the battery in the boot but IIRC there was a thread on the Griff side not so long ago about the legality of having the battery in the boot.
Your profile says you're in Australia.... it'd be a good idea to check the rules before making the effort to change the battery position.
Just a thought... G
As mentioned above there is a guide to installing the battery in the boot but IIRC there was a thread on the Griff side not so long ago about the legality of having the battery in the boot.
Your profile says you're in Australia.... it'd be a good idea to check the rules before making the effort to change the battery position.
Just a thought... G
Welcome, good to see another Chim owner out here in Oz.
Nice looking car too, pretty sure i saw it advertised for sale a while back.
Re moving the battery another Chim owner here in Melbourne whos car i saw a while back has it relocated to on top of the fuel tank in the boot. The trim has been altered a bit to ensure it sits far enough back so as not to interfere with the roof being moved in and out. Not sure what has been done with the footwell trim to hide the wiring back there with the battery box removed but that shouldn't be too big an issue if you can find some matching carpet.
Cheers
Al
Nice looking car too, pretty sure i saw it advertised for sale a while back.
Re moving the battery another Chim owner here in Melbourne whos car i saw a while back has it relocated to on top of the fuel tank in the boot. The trim has been altered a bit to ensure it sits far enough back so as not to interfere with the roof being moved in and out. Not sure what has been done with the footwell trim to hide the wiring back there with the battery box removed but that shouldn't be too big an issue if you can find some matching carpet.
Cheers
Al
There should be plenty of legroom in the passenger side, there is in mine. Either the battery or the board in front of the battery (footrest)has been fitted incorrectly. It might be worth taking out the footrest and refitting it trying to push it further back.
Regards,
Steve.
Regards,
Steve.
Edited by TravelsVeryRapid on Thursday 12th July 11:20
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