Backyard fabrication; ECU and battery relocation

[Enki]

Not sure what category this falls into, so figured I'd throw it in General.

So, my pops and uncle helped me out by building a rough up box for battery (Braille B2317r) and ECU relocation so sometime in the future I can slap an EFR in here.

After this weekend (racing on a go-kart track) if it survives (don't see why it won't), I'll break it down, clean it up and paint it so it looks nicer.

Keep in mind this was made from scrap steel from racecar builds that was laying around and some misc hardware from ACE.

Some notes:
1. Initial design failed; was only going to save about 1.5 inches total space after ECU with cover bolted on the side. Totally wasted day; new design saves over 4.5.

2. I re-used the rear battery mount hole (visible as a white bracket in the no going back image) with a short piece of all-thread, double nutted on top and bottom to act as additional support for the weight of the battery (17 lbs, total weight of bracket + ecu probably less than 21-22).

3. ECU is electrically isolated from ground, just like it would be with stock location/mounting.

4. In the modifications image, you can where the stock intake bracket portions as well as the the ECU wiring harness bracket cuts/grinds were made (see nut access image for clarification). There is probably still some work left to do as far as cable routing, but I won't know for sure until after I've got the new MAF sensor and short ram intake at least.

[vbt101]

Looks good man. How did you get your power cable to stretch that far to the right? I have a diehard battery with terminals on the opposite side of the battery (I'd imagine pretty close to where your power terminal is sitting) & I couldn't get the stock power connector to reach without extending it. Is there a tie that you can cut to get a little more slack?

[Enki]

Yeah, there's a clip on the tranny that keeps part of the harness strapped down. Release it (its a clippie deal, I'll get a pic of it if you want) and it comes loose. I'll probably wind up pulling the whole bracket and relocating the tranny ground that also ties in, but that should be pretty easy.

[J-Liss]

Subbed.

[rodrigo]

uhmmm ok philly

[J-Liss]

are you trying to show another approach instead of relocating the battery to the trunk?

For a Mock-up Its not bad...def different. i would def look into putting the ECM somewhere else, it kinda looks tossed in there.

[Enki]

This is another approach, yes. I already have a Braille battery installed, and with it set up as pictured, just got back from picking up lunch. Works just fine, but looks all kind of hick. I might do some kind of cover out of aluminum for the ECU or something, don't know yet.

[J-Liss]

I think it would look alot cleaner if you could make a simple bracket to the side of the battery tray, so t hat the battery is easily accesisle if a charge or replacement is needed and ECM is not in the way. Not only will this remove the wires hanging in the air but also make the battery more accesible.

[vbt101]

Originally Posted by Enki Yeah, there's a clip on the tranny that keeps part of the harness strapped down. Release it (its a clippie deal, I'll get a pic of it if you want) and it comes loose. I'll probably wind up pulling the whole bracket and relocating the tranny ground that also ties in, but that should be pretty easy.

Is the clip for the power cable, or the ecu harnesses? I am betting I can follow one of them and based on your description It should be fairly evident. I'll check it out tonight. Thanks!

[Enki]

Originally Posted by J-Liss I think it would look alot cleaner if you could make a simple bracket to the side of the battery tray, so t hat the battery is easily accesisle if a charge or replacement is needed and ECM is not in the way. Not only will this remove the wires hanging in the air but also make the battery more accesible.

I had that set up (see the failed bracket picture) but it would not work out space wise; to fit a 7064, I'll need an additional 4.5 inches minimum to be able to clear both alternator and ecu/battery. Top or front is the only way to go, and front fucks up my air/water intercooler placement and possibly part of the intake.

[Enki]

Originally Posted by vbt101 Is the clip for the power cable, or the ecu harnesses? I am betting I can follow one of them and based on your description It should be fairly evident. I'll check it out tonight. Thanks!

I'll go take a couple pictures in a few minutes and post them up.

[Enki]

Some more pictures. I think there's enough room to get/give a jump if needed, actually.

Also, couple for you, @vbt101.

[Enki]

Hate to necro one of my own threads but in hindsight, I had a lot of foresight when I decided to have this done; my car would not have started for several weeks while I waited for custom intake parts to show up, since NONE of the standard intakes would fit with stock battery + ECU and an EFR....Period.

Mods please move to hard parts fabrication section por-favor.

[Enki]

Thread necro!

Redid most of it by cutting up and reusing the old parts. This is the result.

I may wind up modifying the tie down plate a bit to keep deformation to a minimum.

As a side note, if you need to put a bolt in something but can't get a wrench on it due to space constraints, using two lock washers (one on each side of the part the bolt is going through) with a nut will lock that fucker down from finger tight all the way to torqued (on the nut only) with no issues.

[jdm_mica]

Looks good

[CosmicArkie]

I hope you cut off the battery hold down bolts before you closed your hood...

Reminds me of back in the day when one would replace the carb aircleaner stud and slam the hood. Instant dimple.

[Enki]

There's like 6 inches clearance between them and the hood man. The whole thing is maybe 8-10 inches tall off the trans mount.

[CosmicArkie]

Originally Posted by Enki There's like 6 inches clearance between them and the hood man. The whole thing is maybe 8-10 inches tall off the trans mount.

It's all good, E. Just grindin' on ya a little.

[CosmicArkie]

This is a shot of my shade tree fabrications just to throw another one out there.