We have been preaching the virtues of Optima Batteries in a variety of applications for years. Their versatile design makes them a hit for custom applications and when it comes to power, they always deliver. Whether it is a RedTop as a single under hood battery or an army of YellowTops in a ridiculous audio build, Optimas can be relied upon when power is needed. However, there is an emerging sector of the market that Optima has addressed and that is the trend toward smaller and lighter racing cells that rival the performance of full size batteries.
When it comes to performance, enthusiasts are always looking to reduce curbweight or at the very least relocate it. Many tuners move their batteries to the trunk to remove the weight that is up front (typically in front of the axle) and place it where you need traction. The only issue is that you have to rewire everything and add a tray, all of which adds up to more weight. With lightweight, high-performance cells like the Optima D51R YellowTop, you don鈥檛 need all that hassle.
The Optima D51R is a full-featured deep cycle battery that will run most Sport Compact cars, within reason. If you have a banging system with two amps and four subs that you drive in Alaska, you鈥檒l need a bigger Optima. However, if you have an occasional use car with a moderate audio system and not a massive power draw, the D51R will handle your needs. Best of all, the D51R means you don鈥檛 have to relocate your battery to remove weight from the front of the vehicle, so you can shave off several pounds just by installing this cell. At only 26 pounds, the D51R offers roughly a 13-20 pounds weight saving over what you are currently running and every little bit counts.
By running a D51R, you not only get weight savings but space saving as well. This battery only measures 9.3x5x9-inches meaning it is roughly half the width of an average cell. Think of what you could do with all that new real estate! Sport Compact engine bays are tight, so now you can add an oil catch can or an ignition module, but in our case we added a grounding kit and voltage stabilizer with the new found space.
Optima鈥檚 patented Spiral Cell technology is the key to their success. Optima batteries are sealed, require no maintenance and will not spill. The deep cycle YellowTop provides plenty of reserve power for larger draws, yet recharges quickly. If your car is driven in a colder climate, this battery can still muster 450 CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) at -18掳 (0掳F) and 575A at freezing, which amounts to some outstanding performance for a mini battery. Under regular conditions, the D51R holds 66 minutes of reserve power before dipping to 10.5V.
With the D51R you can have the best of both worlds: save some weight in a critical area of the car without sacrificing any power. The reduction in weight might not be difficult to notice to you, but when it comes to tracking your car, less weight always means more fun.
Source:
Optima Batteries
D51R Lightweight Battery
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