Battery Relocation...

[Bad89stang]

What are the rules as far as relocating your battery to the trunk in an '89 coupe/notchback? I have a panel behind the rear seats that is bolted to the metal crossbars and is carpeted. It is not airtight though. Just holds my amp out of the way. I don't want to have to spend $100 on the Moroso blue box if I don't need to. Is it legal to put a normal black covered battery box in the trunk and still race? I know that it has to be bolted down. What else?

[MikeWeber]

8.1 BATTERIES
All batteries must be securely mounted and may not be relocated into the driver or passenger compartments. Rear firewall of .024-inch (.6 mm) steel or .032-inch (.8 mm) aluminum (including package tray) required when battery is re-located in trunk. In lieu of rear firewall, battery may be located in a sealed .024-inch (.6 mm) or .032-inch (.8 mm) aluminum, or FIA accepted poly box. If sealed box is used in lieu of rear firewall, box may not be used to secure battery, and must be vented outside of body. Strapping tape prohibited. A maximum of two automobile batteries, or 150 pounds (68 kg) combined maximum weight (unless otherwise specified in Class Requirements) is permitted. Metal battery hold-down straps mandatory. Hold-down bolts must be minimum 3/8-inch (9.53 mm) if battery is relocated from stock and other than stock hold-downs are used ("J" hooks prohibited or must have open end welded shut.).


I've had a similar setup as yours for a couple of seasons and they've never given me a problem at several tracks. Be sure that the metal panel covers most of the back seat area and that they can tell it's of metal construction.