16V vs 12V for Stocker?
 

How much of a benefit is ther on a single battery Stocker 350/175/287hp set up. I currently run a 12V Optima red top but am thinking of switching to a 16V Turbo Start. An MSD 6A is the ignition I run with a two step on the starting line. Aside from weight differences is there any real performance benefit?

Re: 16V vs 12V for Stocker?
 

The only performance advantage to 16v is when you have a lot of compression. 16 to 1 and above will fire the plugs better than 12. Sure the starter turns over faster, fan and water pump cool quicker. BUT- a 16 volt batteries cells are smaller than a 12 volt battery. Therefore you have much less reserve and a charge does not last near as long. And everybody has a 16 volt horror storey.

Re: 16V vs 12V for Stocker?
 

I like the 16-volt package for some applications. Yet, In my opinion, and experience, considering your specific situation, you would not see a performance change.

In addition, I most cases, the difference I see and enjoy is simply with cranking.

Because the design of modern ignition systems boost the secondary voltage well above the level your engine requires a 12 volt with an alternator is completely satisfactory for your stocker. Even the #6 MSD is completely satisfactory for much higher demand than your engine.

Yet, the only downside for 16 volts in your situation is the cost. Adding up battery, specific charger, and 16-volt alternator is a big tally.

Re: 16V vs 12V for Stocker?
 

If your alternator is working properly I have seen no reason to go to 16V. The 16V batteries I have seen were not as reliable as 12V. If you go rounds the 16V seems more difficult to quick charge. Heads up alternator not functioning full charge on 12V has not been a problem.

Re: 16V vs 12V for Stocker?
 

This is my experience, yours may vary.

The good: I like the way that a 16v cranks faster and this is unscientific but the engine seems to sound "crisper". The cooling system runs faster and the fuel pressure is higher.

The bad:It's expensive. My car does not run faster with 16v. If I switch back or forth with 12v I have to reset the fuel pressure.

The kicker:when the 16v battery lets me down I don't always have a back up but if my 12v runs out of juice between rounds there is always one in my tow rig and everyone on my block, every auto parts store, and every Walmart has a 12v battery charger.

Re: 16V vs 12V for Stocker?
 

What Chris says is valid

Re: 16V vs 12V for Stocker?
 

While on the subject,

my experience with the "Rock" brand battery shows short service life. About two seasons is it.

Beginning in summer of 2016 I bought two XS 16-volt deep cycle battery's [two different cars, no alternator] So far, the XS performs well & charges quickly. In October we won a 9 round race, charged between the early round but the last three rounds without charging.

Before going in the trailer we charged until the indicator showed full charge, took about 15 mins.

In most cases, when time allows, I recharge to full before loading in the trailer. Then at home will put charger on for a full day on float.

Re: 16V vs 12V for Stocker?
 

My son manages the local Interstate Battery distributorship. It is not uncommon for a racer to call disparately looking for a 16v battery. While he can get them, not quickly. That seems to be the case with the other places the folks have called as well.

Just something to think about knowing it will fail at the most unopportune time.

Good luck,
Bill

Re: 16V vs 12V for Stocker?
 

I highly recommend the 16 volt system from a reserve power standpoint but it made zero performance difference when I made the change (not that I expected any). My car is in SS so has no charging system. I always charge between rounds just to make sure that it is at full charge. I run two Turbostarts as I need the weight anyway.

For the record, there were no changes required when switching to 16 volt batteries. I didn't even see a difference in fuel pressure. Just bolt the batteries in and go...

Jim Caughlin
SS 6019

Re: 16V vs 12V for Stocker?
 

Only time a tuning change is required when going to 16 volts, is for an EFI car. With a carb, no change should be needed.

Re: 16V vs 12V for Stocker?
 

If it was a EFI car you would see a little ET help after slight tuning with 16V. Both EFI and Carb you would see a change in idle and moving forward in the staging lanes with 16V but very little ET help. Starting is better with 16V but not as much reserve life over 12V. The bad side if you have problem with the charger it is hard to find another one quick and expensive. We had a problem at Atlanta last year with a 16V charger but we had a spare charger and battery and that is really what you need if you go to 16V.

Re: 16V vs 12V for Stocker?
 

the only concern I might add, is on a stocker that's required to have an alternator. it would charge a 16 volt system at 18 to 19 volts? that may cause some issues with 12 volt items as well as the efi. I am not sure how the factory ecu,s handle it . but I know the holley efi doesn't like it.

Re: 16V vs 12V for Stocker?
 

rboyle,

Listen to Painter , he knows what he is talking about & has gone Fast with those cars for years !!! You can spend the 16V battery /charger money somewhere else and go FASTER ? Hope you are doing well...

Re: 16V vs 12V for Stocker?
 

I will agree with Chris Barnes and most of you for that matter. 16V helps out a lot when you have a big high compression engine, it does typically have less reserve capacity than a big 12V battery like a Optima, but the trade off is how much quicker it will spin the motor over. If a motor is spinning slower then the engine typically have trouble starting and the longer you hold down the starter then button the faster you are using up that reserve. Also if you are running a 12V without alternator or have drained the battery during cranking some of your components do not like to work at anything less than 12V. Constantly running a 12V down and making the alternator do all the work will either cause the battery to swell and over time become very weak or simply work the alternator to death. Switching to 16V allows a larger window of consistent voltage. Even when a 16V is low it still has 13.7V in it which your ignition, EFI and other components will like much more that 10.5 from a low 12V. Also our NEW CHG25A charger will charge 12V/14V/16V batteries so one charger will now do it all. Also our 16V AGM batteries recharge quickly. As a matter of fact I tell most customers you only need to use our charger at 15A between rounds. If you are in a real bind and not much time between rounds then charge at 25A. Charging at a lower AMP will prolong the life of the battery and not cause swelling from charging to quickly when the battery is already warm.

Re: 16V vs 12V for Stocker?
 

In my testing, my car ran no faster on 16 volts. It did require tuning changes to the air/fuel ratio. The injectors open faster on 16 volts, making it a tad richer. My electric water pump and electric cooling fans run faster on 16, making it cool back down quicker on the return road. Starts a little quicker too. Ran no quicker ether way. I tried 12 volts with & without an alternator. I like two 16s.

Re: 16V vs 12V for Stocker?
 

I use 2 8 volt starting batteries in Series for more reserve. I also convert the mini alternator to 16v from 12 for my 5 hp charger and engine alt. If you need more reserve use 8v golf cart batteries. you can mount one in front stock location and one in trunk.

Dan

Re: 16V vs 12V for Stocker?
 

If you go with 16V the cost of a 16V alternator is another thing or you can just disconnect the hot wire on the alternator and it is free wheeling. However you have to charge after each run. Also while charging don't turn on the ignition because the charger may be putting out over 20volts at some times.We turn the main power switch off while charging and have a separate connection for the fan and water pump run from a spare battery. This way you don't damage other parts. Most after market components have no problem with 16V, but if needed you can purchase a voltage reducer and wire into certain components like a real high speed fans.

Re: 16V vs 12V for Stocker?
 

^^^^^^ I do that also. Turn off the main battery switch on the back or your car to charge it! I found out the hard way. I used to download my FAST ECU's internal data logger while charging the battery. Killed an MSD box & a FAST ECU doing that. I found my 16 volt charger was putting out over 20 volts AC! Bought another charger, same thing.

Re: 16V vs 12V for Stocker?
 

Yes for sure turn off main power when charging. If accessories are running while charging you are just defeating the purpose. Also FYI S16VL and CHG25A combos are on special this month. 10% and free shipping. Use promo code Sweeter16 @ turbostart.com