Battery in trunk?

[ro9397]

Strictly to increase handling performance on my '80 street Malibu with 385 hp, I'm consdering relocating the battery to the trunk. The battery would be installed inside a Summit aluminum or plastic battery box.

1. The car will have F41 suspension, Caprice 4-wheel disc brakes, SS brake lines, KYB Gas-A-Just shocks, 16" aluminum wheels & great rubber. I'm personally on the heavy side. How would you quantify the increase in street handling performance? There are superb mountain roads in this area. .

2. To what extent (please be as specific as possible) is fire danger increased (if at all), by the battery's proximity to the fuel tank? Do we all agree the aluminum box is safer in this regard vs. the plastic? I was thinking in terms of rear-end accidents or possibly rollovers.

Thanks for your time.

Best regards,

[dougbfresh]

Should not be a problem, if you get rear-ended hard enough to puncture the gas tank and the battery box, you'll probably have the rear bumper in the back seat anyway. My old Vette has the battery behind the driver seat within about a foot fron the tank from the factory. The Olds Aurora had the battery under the rear seat I seem to recall. I would not worry about the fire hazard.

As to how well it will handle, only tuning will tell, but that solid rear axle is the weak link on those tubs and well as the weight and the flat nose. There is plenty of aftermerket stuff out there for the old GM cars but it will only get so good without completely re-doing the suspension. If you want great handling, an 80' Malibu probably isn't a great platform to start from. An airbag suspension might be a great option for this car, tuning is alot easier from inside the car and you can experiment with different ride heights.

[ro9397]

Thanks for your thoughtful input.

The best handlers I've tested are an '05 Vette A/T & an '04 BMW 330i w/SMG & sport package. The best handler I've owned was an '85 BMW 535i. I expect the Malibu will be a step below the Bimmer. How might you compare my '80 Malibu to my old '85 Bimmer, or the '04 Pontiac GTO I test drove?

At work in the mid '90s I thoroughly enjoyed tossing around an '80 Malibu sedan w/police package. My expectation is for better handling than my Tahoe & FWD Saab Aero, to enjoy not being in a rental car clone/high school girl car (Mustang), & being more comfortable than in any currently available sporty car (Flofit seats & more room, especially for entry/exit). 385 hp/385 lb-ft should spice up the straight lines.

Regarding weight: my understanding is that the '79-'88 A & G bodies are just over 3300 lbs with M/T & 350cid, considerably lighter than earlier vintage Chevelles & about 100 lbs lighter than an '05 Mustang. I think the C6 is maybe 3150 lbs. I know people complain about the '05 Mustang's solid rear axle, but I thought it handled OK. Even the '06 Mustang GT500 (circa 475 hp, Cobra replacement) will have solid rear axle.

Just my 2c.

Thanks again.

[olddog]

As am man who works in the plastics industry, depending on design, plastic can be as strong as aluminum, yet lighter. Aluminum is very conductive (only copper and gold are better). If you use aluminum, be careful not to short the battery with the box. One of my many brother-n-laws did this. The hydrogen, which is alway around a charged battery, detonated. Nasty burns. Buy the way make sure there is a plan to vent away the hydrogen.

[danny]

Originally Posted by olddog

As am man who works in the plastics industry, depending on design, plastic can be as strong as aluminum, yet lighter. Aluminum is very conductive (only copper and gold are better). If you use aluminum, be careful not to short the battery with the box. One of my many brother-n-laws did this. The hydrogen, which is alway around a charged battery, detonated. Nasty burns. Buy the way make sure there is a plan to vent away the hydrogen.

shameless plug for plastics?-lol- i have to agree with using a plastic box and do make sure that it is vented to the outside.