Replacing battery... problem

[Scott in Houston]

I have a turbo, which auto zone's computer says get a size 49, so I did.

The battery I'm replacing is the equivalent of a 48 which is narrower. No biggie. I'll just move the fastening screw out one slot right?

Well, there is a hole there for it, but no threads for it bind to.

WTF?

Anyone else have this issue?

I'm just going to get another 48, but what a pain in the #$%.

I'm just wondering if I'm missing something.

[Tool Pants]

Read my message #13 here. http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=2950 On the 1997 Boxster the last hole is threaded. For 1998 up the hole is there but there are no threads. The threads for that hole were eliminated for some strange reason. You can put a metric nut under the unthreaded hole if you want to use the 49. If you do this do not drop the nut or it might go into the water drain hole that is near the battery tray.

Here is my 1997 battery tray and all 4 holes are threaded.

[Scott in Houston]

Thanks Tool Pants.

I replaced my 49 w/ a 48. What's odd is that the 48 is not one hole narrower, but 2. The battery I replaced is right in between the sizes 49 and 48 at Autozone.

Is a 48DL ok for a Turbo? I'm assuming a base 996 NA and a TT have similar if not exact electrical requirements, but was worried that a turbo needs more crank power.

Do you think I'll be ok w/ a 48 on a TT?

[Tool Pants]

US size 49 is a big 3 inches longer than a US size 48. You probably had the euro sized Moll, which I think is 80 Ah with a part number of 999 611 080 00, and euro size 92. The euro size 92 is a bit longer than a US size 48 but not as long as US size 49.

A US 48 is about 10 3/4" and a US 49 about 13 3/4". The 80 Ah Moll 92 is about 12 1/4". I do not know of a US sized battery that is the same length as the euro 92. So you had to go with the smaller 48 or put a nut under the empty hole in the battery tray for the clamp for the larger 49.

The specs of the 48 may actually be better than your Moll. Hard to compare because Moll does not have a US spec rating sticker, just amp hours. I have asked Johnson Controls for the amp hour ratings on their batteries but they never responded.

The smallest battery is used on the GT3. I think your turbo has PCM so it gets a bigger battery.

In Texas you can probably use two flashlight batteries. This is what Alex has on his 2001 turbo.

[Scott in Houston]

That's good to see. I was worried about it being under powered battery-wise.

As you said, this battery may be better, but just smaller.

It seems good so far.

Thanks again for the help!