New Battery & Setup?

[NorthQLDFTO]

Okay... So I need to buy a new battery for the FTO (bloody Viper Alarm system just eats Voltage I swear!!!)
Anyhoo, any recommendations for good batteries, my last few cars it was sort of anything will do but because I'm planning a large audio install plus the fact that I love my FTO (probably a little more than would be considered normal!) I'm willing to pay the extra for quality...

Also... I'm considering moving the battery to the boot, to increase space in the engine bay... Any idea of the costs of this and should any auto electrician be able to do this?

AND

Seeing as I am installing a large audio system, should I plan on getting a 2nd battery installed as well? Or are there better options???

[scarecrow]

Small battery up front (buy that now). One of the slim ones, with enough power for the car and alarm.

Big sealed dry cell battery in the boot for the stereo system and any rice that requires power. These batteries run in to the 300ish area and you'll need to run cabling for it throughout the car, and also get one of those switches which connects it to the alternator when the cars running.

[dstocks]

Interesting that you started this thread, I was thinking the battery in the boot thing too. Was thinking that maybe I could do some interesting things with CAI and re-reouting the pipe between the air cleaner and the intake manifold.

Any other thoughts on this???

[NorthQLDFTO]

The whole idea of freeing up space in the engine bay id for that reason Dstocks... Well... To enable easier CAI and also because I'm REALLY considering a turbo.

Spoke to the guy doing my interior retrim & he said if they can install the batteries in the boot in the space on the sides that usuall has those little black plastic toolbox/recess thingies (Yes people, that's the official term!) Then he can fabricate some removable false walls that will hide the batteries for a clean look

[dstocks]

BTW, you should be able to run the battery cables yourself. I did the battery in the boot thing for a GD Galant many years ago. Just buy yourself good quality cables and extend from the existing ones. You should be able to run them through the firewall (passengers side) under the carpet and through the rear wall behind the rear seat. Get youself a battery box and your set!!!. Should be able to get the box from any auto store and the cable from any auto electrician (if not from the auto store as well).

[NorthQLDFTO]

Okay... Got a mate who's an Army Av Tech who's going to help me with the electrical side to this... Got the new battery & 2 new battery boxes... My mate is getting the cable for me (he knows better than I do) will be moving the car battery and installing the 2nd battery box for the audio/rice products in the boot not this weekend but the next...

What I'm doing - Moving the Car Battery to the left hand side of the boot, fixing the battery box into the area that has the space allocation for tools (will be removing the plastic boxes that are there now)

AND

Installing the wiring & secondary Battery box for the audio system / rice power supply on the right hand side of the boot (same location).

I'll be getting false removable walls fabricated to hide the battery boxes when the car is retrimmed...

Will take photos of the process & post a DIY if people are interested in doing this themselves...

[NorthQLDFTO]

RIGHTO! DONE! FINITO! And everything still works!!!

Battery relocation has been completed along with the secondary battery mount in preparation for the audio system...

Looks damn good AND I HAVE A MASSIVE HOLE IN MY ENGINE BAY!

Now... What to fill it with... What's that little voice from deep within my subconcious... Turbo! Blower!

ANYhoo... I will complete the DIY guide to go with the pics & post it all up once it's done...