M42 Battery Relocation Question

[Jay Rob]

Alright, I am nearing the finish line in my M42 swap and I'm starting to get the fuel lines, electrical wiring, and hoses all squared away.

My question is as follows...

I am relocating the battery to the trunk of the car, then I am running a 0/1 gauge wire to the engine bay to a power distribution block. Now, should I install a fusible link between that connection? If I do need to install a fusible link what amp fuse would be appropriate?

[Tom D]

no need for a link.

wire the battery to a post under the hood and then to the starter/alt. run another wire of the appropriate gauge from the post to the fuse box. done.

[jaredmac11]

I was doing this last night and wanted to piggy back off this post... Good insight Tom.

Are there certain posts or distribution blocks that are rated for the amperage of these wires from the battery or would most work?
Weeks back, I was at the junkyard for various parts and collected a few pieces. The wire I got from the scrap is too short to run from the battery down to the starter like I wanted so Im running to a distro box as well


I got a distribution box from an E32. I was hoping to use the E32 since it would make a nice clean remote terminal but the wires were removed so I have no idea what was running to it.

Are there blocks with the remote terminal called something specific? I can only find the distribution blocks without the remote terminal. Otherwise, how would you jump your car from the hood?

[hotdish]

Are there blocks with the remote terminal called something specific?

Jump posts?

The e36 one has a post and the battery cable and alternator running directly to it.

[Jay Rob]

Thank you for the reply Tom. Alright I will ditch the fusible link route and run it straight to the engine bay.

Jaredmac11 - I'm using a power distribution block from Amazon.com. It was around $15. I've thought about using and E30/E36 power supply post found usually on the passenger side firewall area but really, anything with the same design and purpose will work. Also, if your battery is in the trunk and your pos. and neg. posts are readily visible and accessible you can simply jump the car from there, as I'm sure you're aware because thats quite obvious BUT from the hood you could simply ground to the body and then put your positive jumper cable on the battery lead going to the power distribution block (if your block has a post or terminal you can easily clip on to). My 740i has a jump post on the drivers side cylinder head. Pretty neat.

[jaredmac11]

I think Im over-engineering it, I just liked the thought of being able to jump from the hood since that's pretty universal; looks like the E36 offering would work as well.

Get some pictures up of your swap when it's all done. Im looking at an engine bay re-spray and then some final touches like you're looking at. Fuel lines, radiator mounting, final hose configurations, wiring.

[amarino]

I think Im over-engineering it, I just liked the thought of being able to jump from the hood since that's pretty universal; looks like the E36 offering would work as well.

If you want to over engineer it just install one of these hidden in the grill: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DHJLUZK/ Then you don't even need to open the hood :p