Battery hold down.

[Bill Bogues]

I was looking on tech site and noticed someone did not pass tech because he had the stock battery held down by the factory clamp. I've always used the factory clamp on both of our stockers and never had any issues in tech.Since we no longer have a rule book to look it up I'm wondering if something has changed that I know nothing about. I've tried to use the computer to access the rule book but it's way to complicated for me.Is this one of those tech issues where it depend on who looks at your car. Thanks for any replies.

[T Ames]

Hello Bill. Here is an excerpt from the 2017 rule book, Paragraph 8.1 in the General Regulations section. It looks like 2 - 3/8 bolts required OR complete OEM hold down with original hardware but no "J" hooks permitted.:

8:1 BATTERIES
All batteries must be securely mounted; must be of sufficient
capacity to start vehicle at any time. Batteries may not be
relocated into the driver or passenger compartments. Rear
firewall of .024-inch steel or .032-inch aluminum (including
package tray) required when battery is relocated in trunk. In lieu
of rear firewall, battery may be located in a sealed .024-inch
steel, .032-inch aluminum, or NHRA-accepted poly box. If sealed
box is used in lieu of rear firewall, box may not be used to secure
battery and must be vented outside of body. Relocated battery(s)
must be fastened to frame or frame structure with a minimum of
two 3/8-inch-diameter bolts. OEM located batteries without
complete OEM hold-down hardware must be secured to OEM
battery box/tray using the same 3/8-inch-diameter bolt hold-down
method described in previous sentence. (“J” hooks prohibited or
must have open end welded shut.) Metal battery hold-down
straps mandatory. Strapping tape prohibited.

[Bobby DiDomenico]

Not sure I understand this clearly.

If I purchase a new factory 700 HP/ 11 second car I can run it bone stock sans roll cage at my local NHRA track yet if I show up with a 15 second stocker at a NHRA event I need a different battery hold down then the factory one???

[Billy Nees]

Relocated battery(s)
must be fastened to frame or frame structure with a minimum of
two 3/8-inch-diameter bolts.


OEM located batteries without
complete OEM hold-down hardware must be secured to OEM
battery box/tray using the same 3/8-inch-diameter bolt hold-down
method described in previous sentence.

OEM hold-down can be used on battery in original location but (IMHO) common sense should probably dictate something more than the stock clamp in a high HP, wheelstanding Stocker.

Relocated batteries need at least 3/8 rods.