Lots of great information here... However, the ZLE when used for Road Racing or Track Days is a heavily battery current focused vehicle. So before you go swapping the battery out, you must consider what you are giving up and that is the reserve capacity. Before you jump into buying a lighter and smaller battery, keep a few things in mind and this is solely for your safety... nothing more.
The battery you choose is NOT just for starting the car. When you are tracking your ZLE and at WOT for long durations, the load control for the OEM 215-amp alternator is reducing the load charging or supplying the power to run everything. Keep this in mind as the battery is the supplier of immediate high-amp loads when the eLSD is running a hydraulic pump that is keeping your butt safe at 140+mph sweeping into a turn and trying to balance the entire mass based on a hydraulic pressure of wheel speed to the left & right sides. During extreme track use and the Time Attack events with Jeremy Lowder's Pike Peak ZLE, the capability of the eLSD's pump failed to keep the diff locked after 4-5 laps, allowing the right tire to break away in corners. We initially thought the diff had failed and replaced it with a new unit. Turns out the smaller Braille battery was to blame.
Also understand the intricacies of the ABS system and it's hydraulics are running off the battery that is NOT getting charged at a rate that is equal to all the circuits pulling on the capacity of the battery like the high-output cooling fan that can pull over 100-amps all on its own!! Let's add into the mix, the EPS system can pull over 100 amps as well... so you need to re-think tiny batteries for road course use!
At Road Atlanta this past weekend and at the end of each 25 minute sessions, the battery in my ZLE would lose 30-50% of its total charge. By the end of the day that was getting closer to 40-60% of its charge based upon my NOCO Smart Charger. Wanna know why your car might be getting into "Ice Mode" sooner than expected...???
We have tried the smaller lightweight batteries and now when its time to replace another one, I am looking for something with more reserve cranking amps that will keep this all in check. Of all the things you can reduce weight and size for the ZLE... the battery is not one I would suggest skimping on. Either go with TWO small ones or actually adding one larger with more reserve amp-rated capacity is the key here!
As for carbon fiber parts, those of you who follow my updates might know we are building massive high-percentage Carbon Fiber Yachts overseas. The same contacts I have there, are the providers to GM and other US Automakers for OEM Carbon parts... and, the same exact parts sold by other USA sellers. Due to our massive shipping capabilities with these boats, I will begin importing the same OEM quality parts without the tariffs and passing that savings to our friends here.
So that cost per pound value will soon go up as well!
I'm learning its way cheaper just to lose the weight between the Accelerator Pedal and the steering wheel!
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