optima battery hold down

[mmagnus]

I just bought a red top optima battery for my 240Z and was wondering if anyone knew where I could get a custom made hold down for the Z with this battery

I saw one on Ebay but lost the auction.

Mark

[Bambikiller240]

Hi Mark:

I saw that auction also. I couldn't justify the $60+ that it went for, but I'd sure like to get one at a semi-reasonable price. Have you emailed the seller to inquire if HE made it, or if he can share the source. Once the unit is designed, making copies shouldn't be too difficult or expensive/time consuming. If we could find a source, maybe we could get together a bulk buy and get a deal on 10 or more units? Just a thought.

[mmagnus]

I asked if he had more, he said he didnt but if I wanted to wait until the end of summer he was comming out with a two piece one . I told him to email me when its ready. his Email address if you want it is [email protected]

Mark

[Z Babe]

I'm about to order this battery tie down from: http://www.splparts.com

Is that not sharp, or what? :knockedou

It says its for a Z32, but after chatting with a Z32 buddy of mine, I believe it will fit the other Z's, with the way it's designed. I'm going to order one for my 280ZX show car tomorrow (by phone -- Pay Pal is not my friend -- ). When it arrives, I can let you know if it fits my 240Z, if you want.

[rscottblan]

Mark and Z Babe,

I had to put a wood block (real ugly) under my Optima until I could figure something else out. I hope the holder you are talking about would work on the 240.

Scott

71 240

Orlando

[carguyinok]

Here is a tray made for optima. Yes the cost is up there. Around $88 but the price was dropped from over 100 and it billet not chrome over tin.

http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=4383&prmenbr=361

[mmagnus]

Z babe, let me know if it works and I will order too.

[mmagnus]

carguyinok

Do you know if this will work on 240z

[carguyinok]

I am not sure about how "EASY" it would be. The optima batt. are for the most part a shorter batt. then most so it should be good there. Now the base of that tray is the part that bolts in place. I have never seen one in a Z car. I put one in my vette and just cut away parts of the old stock tray (so it was flat) and mounted it on that. Very little room there (less then a Z) and the fit was good.

[Z Babe]

Oooo, I really like that billet holder, Jeff.

Okay, Mark. When I get my tie down, I'll demo. it on my 240Z and post some pics. (if it's a good fit). Oh, and would you mind posting the measurements of your Optima battery, just so I can estimate the size difference in determining whether it would fit your car? Thanks.

[mmagnus]

I believe all of the Red top Optima's are the same size. The problem I am running into is the bottom not fitting the shelf. too big.

[Z Babe]

Sorry, but I've never had an Optima battery, so I don't know the measurements, compared to my Die Hard battery.

[mmagnus]

Its 10" by 6 7/8 wide. 7 13/16 high. Hope that helps

[Z Babe]

Definitely. Thanks, Mark. I'll let you know something as soon as I get my new tie down. :classic:

[zed240au]

just a suggestion but with my car i have built a custom stainless steel battery box and use 2 nylon straps with ratch style locks the box is rubber lined so it wont short out have

Mick

[Bambikiller240]

Originally posted by zed240au

just a suggestion but with my car i have built a custom stainless steel battery box and use 2 nylon straps with ratch style locks the box is rubber lined so it wont short out have

Mick

Pictures? Any Pictures?

[zed240au]

will have a look tonight see if i have a pic or get a battery for the digitial and take a picture

Will take one of my custom stainless steel water bottle and brake filler caps there custom aluminium

Mick

[zed240au]

bambikiller240 check out my gallery on third page shows engine bay and part of battery box in two shots

Mick

[Bambikiller240]

OK Thanks. I saw the pictures.

I am interestd in how the battery cables enter the box and how the box is mounted to the chassis.

[Z Babe]

Mmmagnus, yes, the battery tie-down will work with the 240Z. Looks awesome in my 280ZX! I bought new J-bolts for about $4 at Advance Auto for a better fit -- you might need to as well. BTW, Z-Tek Mfg. (http://www.z-tekmfg.com/datsuncat.html) also carries the tie-downs now -- you will have to email him though, cuz they're not listed on the website yet (I dunno his price yet, as its a new item).

And, Bambi, they have the chrome battery boxes at Summit Racing (lowest price I've seen) -- there's pre-cut holes for the battery cables from the front or rear side. Check out their website, and you'll see it in more detail (http://store.summitracing.com/default.asp?target=search.asp&type=bykeyword&searchtype=both&part=battery+box).

[240Zdragon72]

That Battery holder would be great for putting the battery in the trunk. Especially scence they are batterys that are enclosed and you can mount them sideways!

Has anyone moved their battery to the trunk area yet? Was it hard and what parts did you use to connect it.

thanks:

Brian:alien:

[Ed]

I installed a red top optima back when my car was on the road. To hold it down I used the "stock" Z battery hold down and fabricated a metal bracket 1" wide and 3" long. Measured the distance between the hole on the firewall and the top of the battery hold down, drilled the holes and presto. Custom battery hold down. Works great!

[GatorJ]

I have the Stillen tie down on my Z32 with an Optima battery. The Stillen unit is pretty thick which helps compensate for the height of the Optima.

http://www.stillen.com/search_detail.asp?sku=102020&source=Search

[texasz]

Has anyone had any luck with nice battery hold downs for an Optima battery in a 240Z yet? I am starting my search for one.

[Inf]

I MacGyver'd one a long time ago when I got a red top, but I don't have a picture handy or anything. I basically used the J bolts from my old battery hold-down and took a piece of scrap barstock aluminum i had around the shop, cut it, drilled holes at the right spacing, and wrapped the whole thing in electrical tape. It looked awful, but it did the job and I was able to move to Austin on time. I should probably come up with a better solution.