From Nissan 350Z & 370Z Wiki
Tutorial by: Vlad
What is the reason to install a new battery? To shave weight off of the front. Stock battery weights 35.5 lbs on my scales and my new PC545 is 11.5 lbs. 24 lbs difference. People who serious about improving the car will understand me.
Odyssey battery series is most recommended according to my research, and they really do superb product. PC545 is one of the smallest in series. It comes fully charged, in tough shell and can be installed upside down or on side or however you need it. Car starts without a hesitation. I use the battery for 7 months now without any problems at all. Of course it's not recommended to listen to audio with engine off. Or to leave headlights on. Buttery discharge time is 19 minutes as I understood from the manual
Also some research shows danger of hi temperatures for dry-cell batteries... I found out that Z's battery compartment is well isolated from engine compartment and it's actually cool there after a drive.
It took me quite a while to think out the best installation method... and couple of trips to Home Depot. So here is how i did it.
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Materials
- One piece of aluminum L profile 1x1"
- One piece of aluminum square profile 1x1"
- Two 10-32 1 1/2" bolts with cup-shaped nuts.
- Two 1/2 screws
- Drill
- Paint (if you want to paint new pieces)
Procedure
Comparison
First, couple of pictures of stock and dry-cell side by side:
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Installation is totally reversible so it allows to switch back to stock battery for winter if desired.
Access the battery compartment
First, open the battery compartment. Plastic cover is hold by 5 plastic rivets. The pop up easily if you push them up from inside. With compartment open un-attach the battery terminals, screws, and remove the battery.
Since wires are quite short, there is really only one position where wires will reach the battery. That's were new holder for the battery goes.
It's made from aluminum 1x1 L profile. I just lay the piece near the battery and did all the measurements... In the corners I drill 1/4 whole, and cut 90deg piece with metal scissors. It bends easily after that. Drill small wholes in battery stand and screw new piece in with 2 screws.
I fit couple of pieces of thin aluminum to make battery floor flat (not sure it is necessary):
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Making the bracket
Essentially it's just a two pieces of aluminum profile screwed together... It's easier to show than to explain. Use stock braket to measure the length and holes location.
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I attached two pieces together with 10-32 1 1/2 screws and cup nuts:
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Assemble using the OEM battery poles
Here is whole piece assembled with stock poles:
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Battery installed
The job is done, let's install this baby.
The small pole attaches to lower whole on the left ( there is two holes there and it goes into upper one for stock). I used round socket on the longer poll since new braket is too low for stock thread on the pole. Now, put the plastic cover back!
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