[Brassclef]

So, I was at the OCC All-Mazda Meet yesterday - and stumbled upon GT-Spec's booth. I walked away with one of their GORGEOUS strut bars for my 2012 3s hatch.

I recently bought speed springs from @swerv0428 and decided today was a perfect day to install those, and my newly purchased bar. My mazda6 buddy, pointed out that when I have the strut bar on, I can't get into the battery box, and just last night after seeing Iron Man 3, I jumped some guy's Neon in the parking lot - my jumper cables get a lot of use. So he had the great idea to make something outside of the box, so I can have my strut bar and use my battery terminals. I bought a few items from Advance Auto Parts, and Lowe's.

-Autocraft 10" Top Post Terminal Battery Cable
-AutoCraft Long OEM Bolt
-Dorman Copper ring plug 3/8 2 gauge
-stainless steel 3/8 washers
-stainless steel 3/8 locking nuts
-3/8 drill bit (I didn't have one sadly)

First thing I did was snip off the terminal end of the new cable:

then cleaned it up:

then added the ring plug and crimped it on:

mocked up the other end: (ended having to use 5 washers in total)

next, on to drilling. I used a per-existing hole in the front of the battery box:

and just made it a little bigger:

Installation:

and the other end:

finished product:

All in all, this took me about twenty minutes to do. Easy and quick.

 

[Crespo]

Pretty slick mod. Any dangers by running the terminal out in the open like that?

 

[Brassclef]

Pretty slick mod. Any dangers by running the terminal out in the open like that?

Don't think so - as it wouldn't be any different if I just took the battery cover off, I just wanted to keep the cover on for looks, and protect the whole battery.

 

[steelrain]

What about water???

Sent from AutoGuide.com App

 

[Brassclef]

What about water???

Sent from AutoGuide.com App

It's no different from my old cars, two Tauruses and a 6 that had no box around the battery. There shouldn't be any issues with there being an external terminal.

 

[Cruxless]

What about water???

I wouldn't be too concerned of this, it looks pretty protected by the air box.

It's no different from my old cars, two Tauruses and a 6 that had no box around the battery. There shouldn't be any issues with there being an external terminal.

No box around the battery but there probably was a red cap over the positive terminal. At the very least you could cap it. Doing so will cut down on corrosion. :stuart:

Btw, clean install.

 

[Velez3Sport]

Good idea. I have my strut bar on, took off the top cause cant get acess to it when i need. Good idea for sure.. i never thought about this. What was the price to do it all?

 

[Brassclef]

Good idea. I have my strut bar on, took off the top cause cant get acess to it when i need. Good idea for sure.. i never thought about this. What was the price to do it all?

It was minimal. maybe $30 max?

 

[Rherold9]

How's the strut bar, really any difference in handling? It looks gorgeous... I've wanted one for quite some time.

 

[Brassclef]

How's the strut bar, really any difference in handling? It looks gorgeous... I've wanted one for quite some time.

literally, no body roll, its amazing.

I need to get CS rear sway bar next and then eventually coil overs.