Michael Anthony
Michael decided it was necessary to become an active car enthusiast at the age of 15.
He had spent most of his free time between fifteen and sixteen restoring his first car, a 1968 Ford Mustang 302.
Upon completing this effort, Michael then purchased a 1966 Mustang 289;
a restoration which would prove more challenging as he began to put into action more of what he was learning.
He has always enjoyed restoring and working on cars as a hobby.
The reward for this work is clear in that you have improved something of value and beauty, and then you get a chance to take it out after the restoration is completed.
Soon a more particular interest in cars began to take shape, and Michael began researching the Performance Market.
What would offer both straight line performance as well as decent handling? He settled on a 1991 Chevrolet Camaro Z28. It was here that Michael quickly developed an interest in drag racing, and started becoming a regular at the drag strip. Visiting there was now an imperative at least three times a month.
As time went by, the addiction for more performance soon became apparent. Intrigued by the new LT1 V8, Michael decided to purchase a 1995 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 automatic. Now as Stock, the ?95 Z28 was able to compete very well with many cars at the drag strip,
but not against other modified LT1's. So Michael started modifying the Z28 to compete with a variety of faster cars at the drag strip.
While the acceleration was satisfying, some of the factory components
refused to withstand the enormous amount of horsepower and torque the custom nitrous kit was producing.
The car began to experience massive parts failure with transmissions and the rear end.
During the last year of drag racing the ?95 Z28, Michael began attending many of the local autocross and track days with fellow Camaro owners. But the car was not capable of competing as a result of its transmission modifications.
Since he had now nurtured a keen interest in these types of events and wanted to run his car, Michael began to explore other automotive choices; one that would allow him to participate in these autocross and track event days.
So, he took a new track and decided to purchase a 2002 GTI 337.
Even though he really enjoyed the GTI 337, Michael soon realized its shortcomings. The FWD platform was less than ideal for track use, and the experiences with FWD only fueled his desire to get back to a RWD car.
So, he purchased a 2003 Mazda Miata Club Sport. Before he took delivery Of the Miata, a BRP Supercharger, Air to Air intercooler and supporting modifications were ordered and waited to be installed. The Miata proved to be a great car to drive and the overall performance of it being Supercharged allowed for thoroughly enjoyable on the road and track event experiences.
Yet, as priorities started to change, the Miata was becoming too small for daily use. Once again, Michael was on the hunt for a new car.
He had noticed two cars which had competed very well on the road courses - the Subaru WRX STi and the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution.
After careful consideration Michael decided to buy the 2005 Subaru WRX STi. It seemed to offer everything he was looking for. Four-door convenience, AWD, horsepower, torque, 6spd manual, handling, looks, reliability, and quality.
He knew that the STi was track-ready from the factory and the performance could be relished immediately.
And so it is, Michael considers himself to be a true automotive enthusiast and has an ever-expanding passion for competitive automotive sports and cars.
He is currently attending track events and modifying the STi to continually improve its performance.
His passion does not stop with Subaru?s, however, and he enjoys many different types of cars from foreign to domestic.
Michael has now been purchasing and installing aftermarket performance parts on his cars for the past thirteen years.
He has developed a true interest in researching and testing performance parts which actually work for both the street and the track.
He has always enjoyed the knowledge gained from research and hands-on modifications, and desires to continue to share these worthy goals with his fellow enthusiasts?
Looking for a solution:
In the past, I have always relocated the battery to the right rear of such vehicles as the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, VW GTI , and Mazda RX-7; and so it was that I had all planned out for a relocation in the STi.
This was proving to be problematic, however, as the location one would likely move the battery to is occupied by a water container.
The container is used to supply the Intercooler Sprayer System on the STi, and it really wasn't going anywhere.
So, I thought of 2 other locations. How about behind the passenger seat or behind the rear seat in the trunk? Placement in the trunk though, would require an additional On/Off Switch for Track use. One quickly determines that these locations are not ideal as both areas would be difficult to orchestrate. Plus, a Battery Box would be needed, along with new Battery cables and connections.
Illuminating Research:
As it were, I came across an interesting product while I researched my options for The STi: The Braille Lightweight Battery.
The Braille Battery claimed to only weigh 11.5 lbs., compared to the factory battery of 32 lbs. This represented an incredible weight savings over the stock battery It would remove a full 20.5 lbs. off the front end of the vehicle.
So now the Braille Battery offered the same benefits of a battery relocation, but without the added cost.
It certainly looked like this would be the perfect solution and would avoid a relocation of the Battery altogether.
Verifying the Claim:
I decided it was time to get some opinions and experiences about this
battery. Time to peruse the Nasioc and IWSTi Forums about this product on the Internet.
Several posters that had purchased the Braille Battery replied to my inquiries, and they expressed experiencing NO problems with the Unit itself. Several recommended me to purchase it, saying that I would not be disappointed.
I began to ask skeptically about the manufactures claims:
-- Did it really only weigh 11.5lbs.?
-- Could this Battery be used reliably on the street or is it only suitable for racing vehicles?
-- Was the Battery a true bolt-in Unit or did it require special brackets and cable connections to install?
--- Is this product really even worth my time and money?
Dream of the fact that the responses were all positive.
I was informed that the Braille Battery did indeed weigh 11.5lbs., that it was reliable for street use, it comes complete with everything you need to install it, and yes, it was worth the money.
Charging Ahead:
Now came the time to seek out a distributor of the product.
I found "King of Imports" in Santa Monica California to be the best price for this Battery and they were in my area.
Their staff was very excited about the Braille Unit and told me that they had been using it in their own vehicles without any problems.
I arranged to pick-up the product from them, so I could save on the small shipping costs. Not until I saw the box and picked up the Battery, did I fully understand how compact and light it truly was.
I insisted on asking again. "Does this come with everything I need to install it?"
"Oh yes," they replied and then proceeded to offer me some suggestions on its placement.
The installation:
Excellent! I was ready to install the Braille Battery in my STi.
After removing the original battery cables and setting them aside. I removed the battery hold-down bracket and hardware.
I then carefully lifted the ridiculously heavy factory battery out of the car. I also removed the factory battery tray for a cleaner looking installation.
Palming the Braille Battery in my hand, I placed it into position.
I installed both the positive and negative posts (which comes with the Battery) on the Braille Unit.
Following this, I installed the factory battery bracket and hardware. This is a little tricky; you have to position the Battery in such a way that you can make use of the factory hardware. In fact, being the perfectionist I am, I did not wish to use the factory bracket, so I discarded it and made my own. You can, however, use the factory equipment if you insist.
I then re-installed the positive and negative Battery cables on the
Battery.
Powering Ahead:
The STi started up perfectly.
I was told to expect an "extended crank" because the ECU would have to reset with the battery being disconnected but the car did not experience this and just fired right up.
I was thrilled and relished in the knowledge that installing this Braille Battery had just removed 20.5 lbs. off the front end of my STi.
Mind you, I knew that any road impression would not yield significant results which could be felt, but? I also understood that a lighter car will have a greater performance potential than a heavier car of like kind.
Remember that installing a combination of lightweight components will yield results for you down the road.
I highly recommend this Battery for any enthusiast that is weight conscious and does not want the hassle of relocating a battery to a different location in the car, although relocation is still an option.
The Braille Battery functions as advertised and I believe that you will be as happy as I am with the results?
Michael Anthony