16V vs 12V for Stocker?

[rboyle]

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?

[Painter]

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.

[Woodfin]

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.

[race watcher]

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.

[Chris Barnes]

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.

[Woodfin]

What Chris says is valid

[Woodfin]

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.

[340Cuda]

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

[Jim Caughlin]

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

[Ed Wright]

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.