Odyssey battery in M-coupe

As mentioned previously, the OEM battery in my '02 M-coupe had given up the ghost.
I was looking for a better option. Well I decided on the Odyssey battery. This is a sealed dry-electrolyte battery that is similar to the Optima series, but shaped more conventionally. No fumes. This is important to me when the battery is inside the car.
This is not a cheap solution. The PC1700T that I chose is right about $200. OUCH! I hope it is money well-spent!

Some modifications to the battery cover were needed. They are shown in the attached photos. The battery fits very well in the box without the foam spacer and needs no vent.

The battery seems to have a lot of cranking power. Manufacturer's specs say 875 CCA, 3.5 milli-Ohms internal resistance, and 68 Amp-hours at a 20 Amp rate.

Photos are attached.
First pic is the battery in the box without the cover.
Second pic is the modified cover.
Third pic is the finished installation with modified cover in place.

Were the cover mods needed because the Odyssey is taller than the stock battery?

Just don't try the lightweight hawker batteries. Hugo did at BFC, now he has to keep a trickle charger on at night to avaid no start mornings!

Originally Posted by Stouffville Z3

Just don't try the lightweight hawker batteries. Hugo did at BFC, now he has to keep a trickle charger on at night to avaid no start mornings!

I was wondering if anyone was familiar with these?

Xstatic Batcaps

I originally heard about these batteries being used in Electric and DIY Hybrid projects. I don't have any experience with them myself. The size and weights savings seems interesting.

Originally Posted by rlcanon

Were the cover mods needed because the Odyssey is taller than the stock battery?

The 1/2" holes are due to the Odyssey being a little taller. The trimming at the front is because it is significantly longer (it fills the battery box) and the positive cables and the "doo-dad" attached to one of them don't clear the stock cover.

You could probably avoid the cover modification by changing terminals, but I didn't want to do that.

Once the cover is modded the hatch floor fits fine, though?

Originally Posted by rlcanon

Once the cover is modded the hatch floor fits fine, though?

Yep.

In finding a replacement battery I found a vendor selling odyssey PC1700MJT for $149 + shipping. He's in the east coast so total shipped to the east coast is under $200.

He's sending me mine shipped to SF for $200.

If anyone cares

I don't know if it's helpful to you, but I've been running an Odyssey 680 in my Z4 MC for months now with no problems. Just don't leave you lights on with the car off

Originally Posted by Palantirion

I don't know if it's helpful to you, but I've been running an Odyssey 680 in my Z4 MC for months now with no problems. Just don't leave you lights on with the car off

You put a motorcycle battery in you z4?

Originally Posted by Badqarma

You put a motorcycle battery in you z4?

Got one in my Z3, as well. Same model of battery.

Originally Posted by Stouffville Z3

Just don't try the lightweight hawker batteries. Hugo did at BFC, now he has to keep a trickle charger on at night to avaid no start mornings!

Interesting. I've had this battery for a year now; did just fine in the Roady, sat unused all winter, and now works just fine in the Coupe. Never had to charge it. *knock wood*

Originally Posted by Michael Rose

I was wondering if anyone was familiar with these?

Xstatic Batcaps

I originally heard about these batteries being used in Electric and DIY Hybrid projects. I don't have any experience with them myself. The size and weights savings seems interesting.

Looks high quality, but very expensive....

Originally Posted by Badqarma

You put a motorcycle battery in you z4?

-It's not a motorycle battery, but is similar in size. It has plenty of cranking amps for an auto.

Originally Posted by Palantirion

-It's not a motorycle battery, but is similar in size. It has plenty of cranking amps for an auto.

It's not? The application list for the PC680 are all motorcycles....

Although it does seem to have simular CCA's than that of a lead acid battery. Perhaps a PC1700 is an over kill...

http://www.odysseybatteries.com/battery/pc680.htm

Originally Posted by Badqarma

It's not? The application list for the PC680 are all motorcycles....

Although it does seem to have simular CCA's than that of a lead acid battery. Perhaps a PC1700 is an over kill...

http://www.odysseybatteries.com/battery/pc680.htm

-Strange. Either I heard wrong, or was informed wrong. I'll go find out...

Originally Posted by Palantirion

-Strange. Either I heard wrong, or was informed wrong. I'll go find out...

As far as I know, they're originally intended for motorcycles, sure, but people use them in cars all the time. The PC680 just happens to be the smallest one with enough power to crank a normal car. I have the PC680MJ, myself.