Ask The Editors: Need Additional Starting Punch
I know I need to do the valves – the exhaust clearance is perfect but the intake is below spec even with the smallest available shims, making it hard to turn over.
I’m just curious to what mods are out there that will give more starting power to compensate.
You are on the right path by seeking a battery that matches OEM physical dimensions but boasts an increase in cold cranking amps (CCA).
In stock trim, most of the 450s (the LT-R included) came with a fairly modest 100 CCA battery. It was good enough to get the machine fired up in optimal conditions but often a bit weak even if temps dropped or, in your case, the valves were just out of spec enough to make initial startup a bit of a process.
These days it isn’t difficult to find a replacement battery offering 500 CCA for under $100. This should provide more than adequate cranking amps to duplicate what the booster pack is doing for you now.
On an aside, contrary to common misconception – the CCA rating doesn’t mean your starter is being flooded with more amperage than the manufacturer intended. The starter will draw only what it needs from the battery’s reservoir and nothing more. In other words, there is no such thing as having too many CCA. There is, however, such a thing as having too few. So why not always overshoot this number? Increased cost and weight. The manufacturers opt for batteries that get the job done while maintaining a profitable price point and without adding too many additional pounds to the spec sheet.
Grab a high CCA aftermarket battery and you should be good to go. Just make sure its physical dimensions are compatible with the fairly tight confines of the LT-R’s battery box.
