Battery for 360

John,

Interstate MTP-91.

Works great.

A bit tricky with the xbar mount but you can make it work.

Let me know if you need any help with it.

 

I replaced the original battery in my 360 last week with an Interstate MTP-91. I think it was about $120 installed. The manual says to turn off the master power before changing the battery. If you have a factory radio, just make sure you have the radio code for when you power everything back up. Luckily, the previous owner had written it inside one of the manuals.

 

The OEM battery has a sealed top with a hose that vents to the outside of the car. More specifically, it is a valve-regulated battery. According to the description at

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/pdfs/success/vrla3_28_01.pdf

"The sealed VRLA battery is a closed system in
which the quantity of electrolyte is limited, but
the gases resulting from energy production are
recombined to be reused instead of being
released to the atmosphere. Because the electrolyte
is recycled, there is no need to add
water to the batteries. Excess gas pressure that
may build up inside the battery is released
through a simple regulating valve to ensure
that structural integrity is not compromised."

I took a quick look at the Optima website but didn't see any mention of valve-regulated batteries. I found a Panasonic VRLA battery, and there is the OEM Fiamm VRLA battery. Probably not an issue 99% of the time, but worth thinking about since the 360 keeps the battery is in the passenger compartment.


Lou

 

The Interstate battery came with the drain and connected directly into the OEM drain.

 

that reminds me... I need to order the dry cell racing battery so I can beat Greg in a race

Ray

 

You are killing me!

 

If you want more cranking power, 20lb weight savings, and a fully sealed battery, consider the Odessey 925. It costs about $175. A few CS owners, including me, have installed one, and we're really pleased with the results. It's literally one-half the size and you can put it in yourself. At time of purchase, just request the screw-in pins that go onto each post are provided as well. They might cost $5. That's what your battery cables connect to. The only thing you have to do is put some spacers on the frame bracket that holds the battery in place, because the battery is not as tall as the OEM battery. I just used a handful of washers and tightened up the frame bracket after that to make everything snug.

 

Is the originial Fiamm VRLA battery still available?

S

 

Paul where did you get the Odessey from?

 

Why would you want that junk with all the great batteries available in the US today?

 

Try this link: http://www.batteryweb.com/odyssey.cfm

Try also West Coast Batteries: 888-379-2555, as they advertise it.

I live in Vancouver, phoned around and found distributor in Montreal + Vancouver. I'm sure there must be many distributors in the US. Cheers.

Specifically, its:

Odessey PC925
925 cranking amps

 

Thanks I will

 

Because it's original - and originality plays a huge part in my collection.

Aftermarket is easy... Originality and Preservation aren't.

Does anyone have a source for an original battery?

S

 

Dude,

putting that FIAMM battery in again would be like going to a Strip Club and be talking to the DJ............

 

Yeah, the 925 is the one I was considering as I recall. I haven't had a chance to order anything yet though.

Ray

 

I have Odessey batteries in two of my cars. They have major advantages and a few small ones.

Pros
Batteries will stay charged while dormant for up to two years (normal is about 2-3 months)
Very high cranking amps
Great for high compression motors
12 year life span as opposed to 3-5 years for standard chemistry
Light & smaller
no gas exhaust so safe

Cons
Have very high internal resistance so harder to keep charged with a standard car alternator.
A standard trickle charger is 1.25 amps a dry cell Odessey is 5 amps.
high internal resistance throws the cars charger out of calibration.
More expensive to buy

I love these batteries. In the car I put an Odessey I rewound the alternator with a 10% overwind. I have this in a 427 racing motor high compression. I leave the car sitting without trickle charging for many months and it never knows the difference. it starts easy with rapid motor turnover.

The other vehicle is a high compression chopper motor without compression release to help start it. The Odessey is perfect for that application. I use a 3.25 amp trickle charge for that smaller battery.

I do not feel these batteries are needed in standard "supercar" motors like the F430 or Ford GT. Will it work without making the mods I mention, probably at least for awhile. The only risk is the Odessey battery may never get fully charged. It may not need to be fully charged anyway! Anyone interested should go to the Odoessey website and look at the technical specifications and details. it is very well written. It recommends the size of trickle charger and car charging rate to use with each battery size.

The question is with a two year time period for drain down to dead battery why buy a trickle charger? My 427 motor Odessey battery is 8 years old now so I use it for startup protection. it has never shown me any need for it. I had a electrical problem last year unrelated to the battery. The amount of cranking time I had while I tried to figure what was wrong was amazing. The two days later with my new MDS controller in hand, the battery turned the motor over like nothing happened. I think that is impressive!

Good luck to you.

 

what are the pros and cons of a dry cell battery versus a lead acid battery for automotive applications? i briefly read the info on the odyssey battery at www.odysseybatteries.com, and it seems there are no drawbacks to switching to a dry cell battery. is the increased cost the only drawback?

 

Check it closely.

There may be "garlic" in it.

Say, John, how much do they "charge"!!!

 

I don't know of any cons associated with a dry cell batter, but am grateful for the extensive, prior write-up, as well as indications a standard trickle charger won't work. But then, as said, with such a slow depleation rate, and reasonable use of the car, who needs charging.

The big appeal for CS and other owners is getting the car's weight down. My OEM batter weighed 43lbs on my scale, and the Odessey weighed 23 (not 26-27 as on the Odessey webpage). You won't believe the Odessey battery when you see it, it just looks so small! That 20 lb weight savings may not sound like much, but recall, when Porsche puts out its GT3 model, it chirps about reduced overall weight of 60-80lbs. Add the weight savings from the battery to weight reductions with sports cats, and we're up to 40lbs lighter, etc, etc, etc... Anyway, I'm a happy Odessey customer thus far.

Good luck.

 

I should add, my only confusion is why Ferrari hasn't clicked into this easy weight saving option, for example for the forthcoming 430 Lite Pista. Or, maybe it has. We'll see when we have a chance to comb over the 430LP.

 

Boy is that ever an appropriate statement!

 

yeah. i was wondering the same thing. i'm going to keep asking around, but so far it sure seems like switching to the odyssey dry cell battery is a good idea. thanks for the feedback. if you stunble into any problems please let us all know