This means a metal bulkhead must separate the trunk from the driver compartment, or the battery must be located in a sealed, metal box constructed of minimum .024 inch steel or .032 inch aluminum, or in an NHRA accepted plastic box.
From The NHRA website, doesn't mention vent but the Moroso Box is just a clear hose, I don't think they would have an issue with anything larger than the size of our vac lines, the pic of the Moroso box the line appears to be about 1/4 in.

The clear plastic line that came with my Moroso box is easily 5/8" OD, maybe 3/4". It's pretty big actually. I can measure it if needed.

That would be great, in the photo's it seems to be smaller, most importantly is the inner size, as wall variations of tubing could make the difference. Couldn't find any spec size listing for the vent tube in the NHRA rules.

I'd also appreciate that Rob. And if it's not too much to ask, the I.D., as Tim stated would be helpful.

0.024 is pretty thin stuff for mild steel, I think the smallest I've got to use is 0.075, or 14 gauge. Anyone know if powdercoating the box would be an issue? Most boxes you can buy are just plain but I'm assuming that's because they're probably aluminum which wouldn't degrade over time in the same manner as mild steel. I can't see it being a huge issue other than maybe not allowing track officials to get an accurate thickness reading of the actual box walls themselves (if they go as far as using calipers to gauge thickness).

I don't think there would be any issue in using THICKER material, and in regards to powdercoating, just so they could determine the material itself, hey they want to know, stick a magnet to it. I would want to find some nice stainless to build the box from.

They are pretty strict about the battery cutoff switch and it being wired properly, and after seeing the Showdown Motorsports burn up in Norwalk, I wouldn't personally do it improperly either.

Yeah, mounting the battery is very important with the NHRA, however should be the same with us.

30lbs battery flying at your head in a car accident? I'd rather not.

Was able to get a copy of the NHRA rulebook and there is no discussion of the minimum/maximum size for the vent tube, just that it needed to exist.
The Taylor an NHRA approved box uses a 3/8 id hose.

Threw together the base section of one today after work. Used some 0.086" thick mild steel. Going to clean up everything with a grinder and throw together the top later in the week when I've got some wider steel. I basically used the same dimensions as the Moroso box that Rob posted earlier (9.5"x 10.5"x 13"), but actually made the base 10.875" deep instead, since the steel I was using was already that width.

The lid will be just slightly larger, with a 1" or so lip around the outer edge to slide over the top of the box. What type of latches would be best to use with this style top?

Here's a couple crappy cell phone pics, don't usually take my camera to work with me.

http://www.mreah.com/images/BattBox1.JPG
http://www.mreah.com/images/BattBox2.JPG

Ignore the fact that one of the welds isn't complete (you can tell because the penetration stops part-way up). It was left that way on purpose and will be fixed tomorrow!

Once I've got the locations and sizes of all the holes that I need to drill figured out, I'll throw it all on the powdercoating line and shazam, it'll be a work of art!

Since we're on the topic of batteries in the trunk.

My battery is also in the trunk where the spare tire goes and is in a plastic marine type box with a cover, and secured to the body with a 3" wide strap.

NHRA aside, will I have issues getting a safety? Is there anything I should take care of before I even bother?

Measured it, the clear hose in the Moroso kit is 3/8" ID, 5/8" OD.

Kevin, I don't think you'll have a problem for a safety as long as it's secure and vented outside the body. Even if it's not vented, the mechanic might not notice.

Thanks for the quick reply Rob, I appreciate it. Sorry for the hijack.

Ryan, it's really cool to see the fusebox relocate getting done. Not a job I would've tackled myself, but thumbs up to you for taking it on and succeeding.

'How-to' articles are awesome, wish we had more of them on this site. I'm thinking about throwing one together for my rear ps quarter skin swap...

I agree! Even mundane stuff is fun to watch step-by-step for some reason.



Please do, I'd love to see that!

I agree, it's always great to 'watch' things done step by step! Probably why I could waste hours of my life watching "How It's Made" (except when it's something like work gloves..).

But sorry for the battery box hijack of your thread Ryan, now let's see a proper step-by-step writeup of your fusebox relocation!

That was the proper step-by-step. Pictures say a thousand words.

haha! good enough for me! I just figured you being in an IT type of industry would have gone overboard with technical details. ie. Wire from pin #87 needs to be extended 37.4 inches, etc.

Dude, I'm a trainer, not a Network Engineer. I just work for a very technical contract.