batteries in trunk

[THE CHARGER PUNK]

whats with 2 batteries in the trunk on some dodge drag cars ive seen at the track?-MATT

[69charger2002]

extra juice and assurance of not being left straded for one, and probably 2nd... extra weight transfer to help plant the back tires

[Charger4404spd]

Most drag cars do not run an alternator.

[Spartan]

I've seen non drag car guys put their batteries in the trunk too (granted only 1).  What would be the advantage in doing that other then a little extra space in the engine compartment?

[hydroforce]

when I purchased mine- it had the battery in the trunk, for what reason I do not know.
I did remove the battery and am going to replace it back in the engine compartment

[Troy]

An interesting tidbit for those of you who don't know...
The "new" Charger has the battery in the trunk from the factory. I think it's to save space (there's no room left with a Hemi) but it might also be for weight distribution.

You can fit nearly any size battery you want in the trunk without the limitations of the engine compartment. You'll need some huge wire to run back to the engine and you can buy kits for the install. Most racers do it for weight distribution but the second battery is most likely to make sure there's always plenty of electricity. As Charger4404spd said, most racers remove any horsepower robbing accessories (like alternators) so they need plenty of electricity to make it through the pits, long lines, staging, and the actual race. They'll add a full charge in between rounds.

Troy

[BigBlockSam]

i got 2 batts in the trunk on my rod. i did it for 2 reasons . first i had no space in the engine compartment. since i had all that space in the back and i have a big cam in this car i figured two are better than one. see that box in the front of the trunk there are two batts in there, plus i wired in an nhra approved kill switch. if you put your batt in the trunk you have to put in an extrenal kill switch to pass tech at the drag strip. Rene

[THE CHARGER PUNK]

how hard would it be to install two batteies in the trunk?? and install a kill switch?-MATT

[BigBlockSam]

summit and jegs sells kits to do it. i upgarded on the cable. to a larger size. Rene

[cudaken]

I've seen non drag car guys put their batteries in the trunk too (granted only 1).   What would be the advantage in doing that other then a little extra space in the engine compartment?

Looks race car ie Does help plant the tires a little and weight transfer. 2 battries, make the weight a little more even and like posted Races Car normaly don't have ALTS.

A trunk battery should should all so be vented. Enclosed in a case with a hose going out the trunk. I also think it is a NHRA Reg as well but not sure. I had mine up front when I was racing.

                                                             Cuda Ken

                                 

[Spartan]

Since I had a battery boil over issue a while ago I would worry about the darn thing in the trunk.

My Sebring converitable had the battery behind the drivers side front tire There was no room in that compartment either.

[Chryco Psycho]

the new 300 magnum & creeder all have the battery in the trunk & yes it is for weight distrubution
I use welding cable for postive cable when installing the battery in th etruck , it has better load capability & flexibility then battery cable 

[Johnny SixPack]

Chryco, forgive my ignorance, but what gauge would it need to be?

Or is welding cable a standard thickness?

I have the Summit relocation kit, but would rather go with a thicker, more flexible cable.

TIA

[Runner]

most people say to use at least 2 gauge welding wire. ive been running 4 gauge welding wire for years without issue. some people use 00 welding wire as well.   getting the battery out from under the hood cleans up the engine bay a bunch! makes the car easier to work on   and a trunk mounted batery stays way cleaner.   honestly the kill swithc is a great idea on any car with 35 year old wiring that wasnt that great when it was new!      what would be the down side? other than the cost?

[Ghoste]

You should also make up a hold down of some kind.  I've used marine style boxes in the past because they were cheaper than the kits from Mopar.
Other cars have had batteries in the trunk as stock prior to the Creeder and Magnum.  It's more popular in Europe so maybe that is the German influence sneaking in.  Rolls, Jaguar and Bentley come to mind.  Somewhat the 69 styled Vette's (is that the 3rd gen?), it was behind the seat.
You should have seen the looks we got one night in town when a buddy phoned me for a boost on the main drag and I backed up to his car and popped the trunk to hook up booster cables.

[Chryco Psycho]

2 guage works great , I agree on a good hold down bracket