Hawk battery tray

[Andrew Way]

Can anyone recommend a battery type to fit the Hawk battery tray? Unfortunately the 164 battery is too big. I guess the tray was designed around a Beta battery.

The tray has a lip at one end to hold the battery but just a hole at the other end. I guess the beta has a bracket to hold this end of the battery in place. Guess what I forgot to take off my Beta!

Thanks.

[Sando]

Hi Andy

I moved my Battery up front, but I did reuse the tray.

A battery that Halfords has for the 164 V6 fits width ways but just overhangs on the length. The tray holds he battery on one end under the lip. All that was needed then was something to clamp it down ether at the other end or from above. I'll post a pick next time I'm in the garage.

Not got the V6 but I do have the Battery!!:D :D
Rob:cool:

[roger001]

The Beta one is a very common size It copes with a V6 without any probs, also Fits the alfa 33!

[guy mayers]

The Beta one in my car barely copes with the Alfa engine!
1. It's getting old like it's owner!
2. The battery is at the front and the cable to the starter is a long one that must draw some power!

If you are going to mount the battery at the front consider making a battery tray that will hold the most powerful battery you can find. And they are usually the biggest ones on the shelf at Halfords!
Guy

[roger001]

Guy - buy a new battery it's a lot easier than making a larger battery tray.

[guy mayers]

Roger - I fully intend to buy a new battery sometime and when i do I'll cobble together a bigger tray for it at the asme time! Gonna need it when the car gets some extra lights......
Guy

[roger001]

On the plus side a bigger battery at the front will help the weight distribution.

[Andrew Way]

Thanks for the advice guys. To save remaking the battery tray I'll have a look for a battery thats Beta size with a higher Ah rating to cope with the V6 (was there a Beta diesel:D )

[guy mayers]

Originally posted by Andrew Way
(was there a Beta diesel:D )

Not as far as I know but if you try running one without oil it may start to sound like one!

[PANOS]

TRY USING ANY OF THE SPIRAL CELL GEL BATTERIES LIKE OPTIMA/EXIDE/CHAMPION ETC., SMALL SIZE, LAST FOR EVER, HUGE POWER RESERVE... BUT HUGE PRICE TOO:(
I'VE BEEN USING THEM IN ALL MY CARS (INCLUDING DIESELS) FOR YEARS AND WOULD NOT CHANGE THEM FOR ANYTHING, DESPITE THE COST...

PANOS

[David May]

It may sound funny, but you don't need a huge battery with a big engine. Just look at the tiddly things they use on USA V8s. It's a question of individual cylinder capacity (and compression) and the V6 is no worse than a 2L 4.

Dave May

[colin artus]

A geared startermotor helps. Cambridge Motorsport sells a range.

Colin

[Sando]

Another tip.
Use large multistand cabling from a front battery to the Starter to reduce voltage drop, Also the Earth too ! take another cable to the block as well, Steel is suprisingly much more resistive than copper. It may add a little more weight but you could then perhaps get away with a smaller battery for cranking.

A geared starter would also be a good one to put on the letter to Santa!!!!

Rob:cool:

[roger001]

I'll second that, i used the 135amp copper cable from the demon tweeks catalogue and Have no problems with using the beta sized battery.

[Stratos]

I use a Varley Red Top 30 in my car, and it has more than ample capacity, but is significantly smaller than a traditional battery - plus you can lay it on its side, upside down, whatever.