ATTN RACERS: help me pass tech

[DSC]

What all do I have to do to pass tech with my battery in the back?

I'm using summit racings battery relocation kit. It's an unsealed box and I have no back seats, is this a problem?
Do I have to weld anything? The instructions said I had to weld the J bolt to the little bracket holding the battery on "in order to be legal for competetion" what does that mean? HPDE's, auto-x or drag??

I need you all to help me make this thing legal and more importantly safe <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'>

http://www.steamymirror.com/dsc240sx/minimeet/24.jpg

[fast-datsun]

Seal off where the seat used to be or get a Moroso sealed battery box... <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/lookaround.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':look:'>

[HippoSleek]

I'm sure this is an issue that can be resolved when Teching the car. &nbsp;Have you reviewed the form? &nbsp;Are you going to a shop for this?

From the form, I don't think you have a problem - but if you want to be sure, email NASA. &nbsp;Grumpy/Jim will give you and answer w/n a few days. &nbsp;If you are dying to know, drop me an IM and I'll tell you where to ask so you'll have an answer sooner.

Tech Form (http://www.nasaproracing.com/images/rules-forms/form_hpde_tech.pdf)

[240racer]

If you are going drag racing, then the NHRA rules state that the battery has to either be in a "sealed" box that is vented to the atmosphere or in a trunk with a firewall. &nbsp;I have the coupe, so I am doing the firewall plan, since it's cheaper. &nbsp;The firewall must cover all holes in the sheet metal, speakers and seats. &nbsp;Then there must be a external cut-off switch, mounted on the back of the car, that is attached to the positive wire and cuts the engine. &nbsp;So on our cars it must somehow cut the alternator wire, otherwise the engine won't quit. &nbsp;Also, any box has to be attached to the car with metal, and you can't use j-hooks unless they are welded shut. &nbsp;they say something about using at least (2) 3/8" bolts.
read here for all rules
http://www.nhrasportcompact.com/2002/rules/GenReg.pdf

I'm going to make a sheet metal strap that goes over the battery and is bolted to the trunk floor. &nbsp;Then I am using sheet metal (probably Al) to make a firewall underneath the stock speaker holes in the rear deck and behind the rear seats. &nbsp;Then I'm going to use a disconnect mounted on the back somewhere (bumper or something) I am going to run the wire from the alternator back to the battery and then switch the positive wire, that way the alternator is running through the switch on it's way back up to the engine. &nbsp;It's kinda a pain, but I needed to move the battery for my intercooler piping and I want to drag race to verify my tuning with consitant timing.


if you are auto-xing then the rules are probably less strict, but I don't know what they are. &nbsp;
as far as safety is concerned, having the battery securely tied down and the wires not touching metal &nbsp;is probably all you need.

[tnord]

if it's secure........and the positive terminal is thoroughly covered, then it shouldn't be an issue. just see if you can yank it around with your hands, if you can't, it'll most likely pass. hell, i got a friggin wood block holding my battery down, but it does the job.

[HippoSleek]

I'm w/ Tbag <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'> - but I thought this thing would be sealed and vented? &nbsp;I thought all relocation kits were.

Dave?

[DSC]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (HippoSleek @ Sep. 23 2002,5:41)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I'm w/ Tbag <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'> - but I thought this thing would be sealed and vented? I thought all relocation kits were.

Dave?</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
I thought it'd be sealed and vented too...its just vented <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> a whole lot.

I could pay abacus racing a visit (about 20min from me), since from what i've read they do a lot of the pretech inspections for nasa...but I figured it'd be easier to just post here <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> not to mention having an excuse to show off my shiny new battery relocation. &nbsp;
I'm scared to find out what I have to do to pass scca tech tho <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'>

I posted this same question (before I posted here actually) on the new nasa-va forums but seeing as how they are new...nobody really goes there, so, no replys.

[xhdriver]

i only know for drag racing that box will not pass, their is only one plastic box that will and that is the moroso. you could seal off the trunk area with a piece of aluminum and still keep that box. again this is only for drag i dont know about scca. (i have the same box, and went through this too.)

[bbp]

I'll chime in on the SCCA front. &nbsp;It depends on what you want to do in SCCA. &nbsp;IT rules do not allow battery relocation. &nbsp;It depends on what class you want to run in Autox.

I would get a external vented battery like the old VW's and E36 BMW use. &nbsp;Another trick battery would be a gel battery ($<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'> like those found in Miata's. &nbsp;I don't belive they are vented and reside in the trunk. &nbsp;The sealed battery box sounds like the way to go, &nbsp;a rear impact can send acid flying thru the cockpit.

As for HPDE, I think you could get away with what you have as long as it is tied down tight.