in the persuit of weight saving... a Q about the batt tray
 

hi all

I've come to the conclusion that I will be replacing my stock battery with an Odyssey lightweight. I already DONT use silly ass windshield washer fluid so I will be mounting it right up there. My question is the battery tray and all the bullshit associated with the stock battery location, is it safe to take out? Of course there would be a huge rectangular GAP which i'm assuming you would see right down thru the engine bay to the floor, im wondering if this is "okay"

The more crap I can take out that I dont need the better of course - the intake box will be going out the window in a few months when I jump on the Mazsport Turbo wagon.... so that will give even MORE space.

Oh yes - one random question to go along with this - I will be looking at getting a Racing Beat Flywheel and ACT Prolite clutch. My question is what would the general price be on labor at a good rotary shop? Gotham Racing is right down the road from me.

The bottom of the tray helps maintain the flow through the rad fans.
You can shed the ducts and the sides of the tray, but you should leave the floor of the tray in place.
Make sure you get some air to the new battery.
The location you intend to mount it in sees a significant amount of heat rising from the exhaust manifold and even more when you put a turbo there.

What kind of weight do you think you're gonna lose by dropping the plastic junk inside the engine bay? About 10lbs total (after you yank everything)? If you go by the 100lbs = .1 of a sceond rule, you will be .01 seconds faster... Just go on a diet and leave the car alone.

I think he is thinking more in terms of what the new battery will save him.
The tray is more cosmetic.
I hope that is what he it thinking...

yes - the battery is where my weight savings are coming from. I realize that even if i DID rip all the plastic out that wasnt absolutly necessary i might only get what? maybe 2lbs more and thats not important.

Go on a diet - I'm 6'1 and only 190lbs (very muscular) so... I'd have to go do some anorexic stuff if I wanted to go "that" route. haha