Trunk mount battery, best side, left or right?

[crash340]

Guys, I'm looking at putting my battery in the trunk on my Cuda, I see most mount them on the right side, probably due to the jack location, and the fact that there is 200Lb of driver on the left, are there any pro's and con's with either side? the left side makes for a cleaner install getting wires to the front to some degree,,,, any thoughts??

[jhaag]

The reason they are usually on the passenger side goes back to drag racing. Due to axle torque and chassis reaction the right rear tire tries to lift, reducing traction. The battery was placed there for the added weight to help with traction. Also as you say it helps offset driver weight. Either side will work if you are not concerned with chassis balance for racing. 

[crash340]

Doesn't torque lift the front left thus forcing the right rear down??

[jhaag]

You would think that would be the case, but just as engine torque is trying to lift the left front, the pinion gear is trying to climb up the ring gear and unloads the right rear tire. Watch a car without a posi rear end. Which tire almost always spins? The right rear, less load.

[marc70challenger]

Guys, I'm looking at putting my battery in the trunk on my Cuda, I see most mount them on the right side, probably due to the jack location, and the fact that there is 200Lb of driver on the left, are there any pro's and con's with either side? the left side makes for a cleaner install getting wires to the front to some degree,,,, any thoughts??

If it were me, I'd put it on left as well ...the cleaner you can wire (and less you need to use) the better, and it's away from fuel neck .. just my humble opinion.  I think the average car battery is 40 lbs.  So if you weigh 200 ... then you and the battery is like me driving your car with no battery....

Just curious - are you looking to relocate for aesthetics?

[marc70challenger]

You would think that would be the case, but just as engine torque is trying to lift the left front, the pinion gear is trying to climb up the ring gear and unloads the right rear tire. Watch a car without a posi rear end. Which tire almost always spins? The right rear, less load.

Makes sense .... helps to explain body flex and torque .. and difference.

[dfrazz]

I mounted my battery and MSD on the left. I ran the battery wires through the frame rail and MSD wires in a loom down the left inner fender, pinch weld and into the engine bay. I mounted the starter relay and hid all wires low on the firewall.

[crash340]

I don't have an MSD but I do have the FAST version to go along with my XFI fuel injection, are their any negatives with mounting the ignition control module in the trunk? I don't mind the idea as such actually

[Chryco Psycho]

I generally run the battery on the right side & cross the battery cable to the left side behinf the back seat & come through the wiring channel below the drivers door , I also use 4 gauge welding cable , very flexable & durable .
 I see no issue with wiring the ign control into the trunk

[70chall440]

Greg - as you know I have the battery in my Challenger on the right side and as has been said, you have the run the cable across the back of the back seat which isn't an issue as there isn't anything really there and there are even some holes there that you can use to mount clamps. However on my Cuda I mounted the battery on the left side because I installed my rear antenna on the right side. I have to say that it is easier to wire. Personally, I don't think it makes that much difference either way from a weight distribution aspect seeing that you are not building a dedicated 1/4 mile car. It does however make a difference in your wiring as you save a fair amount not having to cross the car. If you are slick (and I know you are), I would build a battery/ignition box to allow you to mount everything in one tidy spot.

[dodj]

I mounted mine on the right.  Crossed the starter cable to the drivers side just behind the rear seat. Ran the ignition wires down the passenger side(put the MSD back there too).  Found the hardest part was mounting the battery box securely. Not many flat surfaces on a Challenger.

[1 Wild R/T]

To late it's sold but....   Just the kit every aspiring racer needed back in the 70's to move that big old battery to over the right rear tire....

http://www.forebodiesonly.com/forum/threads/direct-connection-battery-relocation-kit.6843/ 

[70chall440]

years ago I bought one of those, found it to be a little lacking; cable is too small (IMO) and the battery tray is something out of like a C body.

Make your own kit; get welding cable or order some good cable. On my Cuda I used something like this http://www.jegs.com/i/XS-Power/703/RK2GA-1/10002/-1 (different brand, but essentially the same thing). While welding cable works, it is heavy; this new LW stuff is supposed to deliver as much current at less weight.

Make your own box according to how you want it to look and be accessible. On my Challenger, I originally made a sheet metal box that I painted to match the car; I remade that box as well as the box for my Cuda using 1/8" plate and some imagination.

Dodj is correct; not a lot of flat surfaces in the trunk; therefore you might need to build some spacers under your box to level it out.

Plan it out; cable routing, accessories (battery cutoff, your ignition, etc) and you will end up with a nice result.

[YellowThumper]

Utilized some box tube from some old fencing.
Made a couple of standoffs to handle the odd floor heights.
Mounted an aluminum tray it all sits on with nuts welded in it to strap it all down.
Ran my main wire out side the car. it goes out via the body plug hole next to it.

[crash340]

Thanks Guys, appreciate it