3.5" intake question

[KamloopsDan]

Hey,

I have a 2007 MSP6 and am planning to go big turbo with a HTP 3.5" intake. I have been told by HTP that I would also need this battery tray HTP Mazdaspeed6 51R Battery Tray - Hi-Tuned Performance Products

Stupid question, but does having a smaller battery tray also mean I need to buy a smaller battery? I'm just worried that going from a group 35 to a 51R up here in the Canadian North is not a great idea for cold winter starts.

Any thoughts?

[GroceryGtr]

if you got the tray, yes you would need the smaller battery to fit in it as well. that being said several people have simply modified their stock tray to make room for the intake. the 6s have a bit more wiggle room than the 3s do. You can trim it down and then redrill the bottom mounting holes to move it out of the way a bit. I know this will work for 3", not 100% positive it will be enough room for the 3.5"

For the price though you could just relocate your battery to your trunk. You'd then have a ton of space and help balance out the weight distribution a tad more. You'd still come out cheaper than the price of the battery tray.

[Pu Manchu]

htp 3.5" intake on my car, stock battery box trimmed, smaller battery 100 percent necessary to fit this intake.

if you want to keep your big battery you have to move it to the trunk.

[GroceryGtr]

to pu's point I should have clarified either trimming or new tray you need the smaller battery either way. Hey that rhymed!

CCAs are a big deal the colder you get. You're going to lose around 100-150 CCAs going to a 51R series. Just make sure you go with a good quality battery to minimize the cca loss.

[shamie]

I went with an Optima Yellowtop 51R and its CCAs is pretty equivalent to the 35 batteries. Not as much CCAs as the best 35 batteries but as good as your average (OEM) 35s.

[KamloopsDan]

Thanks for the advice everyone, another thing to add to my wish list.

[Fstrnyou]

I'm running a silicone 3.5".
Most definitely need to go 51r.
I trimmed are redrilled exactly as @GroceryGtr; said.
Will eventually relocate to trunk.