Lithium ion battery for the Hellcat

[2ndAmend]

Maybe just keep fewer volts in the stock battery?

Not that I know how much a volt weighs.

Volts don't weigh anything! You know that!!!! The AMP-HRS weigh a ton!!!!

 

[2ndAmend]

I am not after the quickest ET. I have not even drag raced it.

Absolutely understood. We are looking at very different objectives!

 

[DGatzby]

Absolutely understood. We are looking at very different objectives!

That’s funny. For me, the rear end now becomes balanced and lighter. Shit I have a giant BMR front sway bar holding it together. For me either those suckers are gripping on the course or I am modulating my right foot. But saying my grip does not change, the -30 lbs allows quicker acceleration and as important easier braking.

 

[2ndAmend]

That’s funny. For me, the rear end now becomes balanced and lighter. Shit I have a giant BMR front sway bar holding it together. For me either those suckers are gripping on the course or I am modulating my right foot. But saying my grip does not change, the -30 lbs allows quicker acceleration and as important easier braking.

Yeah, my biggest concern is breaking from 200+. which the RE does admirably! But that is not good enough for the "rules". I have been warned twice to get a chute, which is highly unlikely.

 

[Taxinator]

Good thread to keep going. Since my dad bought a T/A he wants it faster. Looking through here on batteries and going on amazon and it looks like a lot more options and cheaper prices. Could barely get one under $400 a few years ago

@Taxinator posted the battery he bought and @catdad @DGatzby and is still under $270 Stock demensions and weighs 20 lbs. The Stock battery is 44 lbs.


https://www.amazon.com/LiFePO4-Batt...=B0CXXVT7V5&ref_=pd_bap_d_grid_rp_0_77_t&th=1

Purchased mine July 2024 and it’s been perfect…starts quicker than the stock battery when new.

 

[covidcommander]

It shouldn't be any faster, or slower. Weight really have nothing to do with top speed. It'd take longer to reach that speed, but it'll be the same.

Weight sure does have something to do with top speed.

 

[vortecd]

I've been told by HC racers that a heavy battery is fine as it helps with traction. Lowering weight in the front is what makes a big difference. I removed the front sway bar and made 4 new PB's! Best was .07sec better! (9.993 down to 9.921)

I would be interested in any actual before/after results from a battery change.

Weight in the trunk can help depending on the track but there is plenty of weight over the rear already

 

[Speedy!]

Ron usually adds a 50lb sand bag to the trunk of his 170 and I think sees 1.2x 60s. For drag racing more over the rear tires seems better for Hellcat and Demon. If you're using one of these on a road course remove all the weight you can.

392 and 5.7 cars may benefit from weight reduction as they're less likely to blow the tires off I think.

In the C8 Z06 the battery is just in front of the windshield dead center. When that one goes flat Ill do a light weight option.

 

[Jimmy N.]

Weight sure does have something to do with top speed.

Looks like not even the land speed record chasers have learned about that yet. They're all concerned about aerodynamics and power instead.

Which makes perfect sense if going by what basic physics dictate.

 

[1971demon]

Maybe just keep fewer volts in the stock battery?

Not that I know how much a volt weighs.

Volt weigh...,046 ounces..(above 40 degrees)..less as temperature drops...

 

[Jimmy N.]

You're obviously not talking about the Chevy version. Those are over 3,500 lbs. each.

 

[covidcommander]

Looks like not even the land speed record chasers have learned about that yet. They're all concerned about aerodynamics and power instead.

Which makes perfect sense if going by what basic physics dictate.

That's why bmw makes the cs series

 

[Jimmy N.]

That's why bmw makes the cs series

Huh? To set speed records (or at least increase the top speed) by being lighter?

Guess I'm too stupid to understand how lower weight could improve the top speed. But at least I'm not alone.

 

[DGatzby]

Lighter weight allows quicker acceleration which will increase speeds in distance measured events, against all the same conditions with heavier weight.

 

[Jimmy N.]

Lighter weight allows quicker acceleration which will increase speeds in distance measured events, against all the same conditions with heavier weight.

That is true, but the max speed over a certain distance or time is not the same as a vehicle's actual top speed. Well, with very underpowered vehicle it could be. Hell, I can reach the top speed of my Daihatsu HiJet just going to the post office.

At events like Bonneville, where finding a vehicle's top speed is the goal, there's plenty of distance to reach the limits imposed by power and wind resistance. And weight is not an issue at all.

 

[2ndAmend]

Weight no longer matters once you reach terminal drag limited speed. Maybe the exception is tire loss, which is probably nothing if the pressure is adjusted, assuming you don't sink deeper into the salt!

 

[Jimmy N.]

It has to be a fine balance between traction and rolling resistance.

Once having found tires good for 300-400 mph in the first place.

 

[DGatzby]

That is true, but the max speed over a certain distance or time is not the same as a vehicle's actual top speed.

^ you got it. I agree. Simple physics. As long as the car is accelerating at the end of the course, we do not have max speed. I think that includes all events our members are considering.

 

[2ndAmend]

It is shocking how hard the HC still pulls at 200!

 

[Jimmy N.]

^ you got it. I agree. Simple physics. As long as the car is accelerating at the end of the course, we do not have max speed. I think that includes all events our members are considering.

Well, I differentiate between whatever speed is reached during certain circumstances and what a vehicle's actual top speed is.

Otherwise I could claim that my car's top speed is around 160, because that's all I got to before running out of straight road. But according to Dodge it should be about 199 mph, so if I'm facing a 30 mph headwind I won't say that mine is only capable of 169.

After all, there's a reason the manufacturers and testers publish not only the top speed, but also the speed reached in a 1/4 mile. And how quick it was in the 1/4. Either way, there are a number of things and constraints that can limit the max speed reached, but that doesn't change a vehicle's top speed.

And I could've included "in any event" at some point here, but a vehicle's top speed isn't event related.