In this blog post, we’ll cover the key considerations for selecting a battery that fits your project's needs. We'll start by reviewing the most common types of batteries used in automotive builds—whether you're working on a basic street car or a purpose-built race car.
Standard Batteries
The most typical and widely used battery type is the lead-acid battery. This is the standard battery found in most automotive applications and is generally the best choice for street cars. Lead-acid batteries are affordable, readily available, and easy to replace—most auto parts stores offer a variety of factory replacement options. If your vehicle has a mostly stock setup, a factory-rated replacement battery is usually more than sufficient.
However, if you've added performance modifications—such as a supercharger or a high-compression engine—you may need a battery with higher cold cranking amps (CCA) to support reliable starting. In many cases, you can find a battery of the same physical size with increased CCA, allowing you to retain the factory mounting location. If your modifications require a physically larger battery, we’ll cover proper battery relocation techniques later in this article.
Battery Types
Let’s take a closer look at the different battery types you’ll encounter.
Lead-Acid
As mentioned, lead-acid batteries use lead plates submerged in sulfuric acid to generate an electrical charge. With proper maintenance, they typically last 5 to 6 years.
Pros:
- Low cost
- Minimal maintenance
Cons:
- Heavy
- Limited mounting flexibility
AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat)
A step up from traditional lead-acid batteries is the AGM battery. These use fiberglass mats soaked in battery acid, which increases contact with the lead plates and cushions them against vibration and impact. This makes AGM batteries ideal for off-road vehicles and race cars. They're also spill-proof and can be mounted in any orientation, offering flexibility for custom installations and optimal weight distribution.
AGM batteries typically provide higher CCA than lead-acid options, as more lead plates can be packed into the same housing.
Pros:
- Shorter charge times
- Flexible mounting options
- Longer lifespan
Cons:
- Higher cost than lead-acid
- Still relatively heavy
- Requires a special charger
Lithium
Lithium batteries are the most advanced battery type and come in several varieties. The most common, lithium-ion (Li-ion), is widely used in laptops, cellphones, and electric vehicles. While generally safe, Li-ion batteries can experience thermal runaway—a risk of fire or explosion—if physically damaged or improperly charged.
In automotive applications, a safer alternative is the lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery.
These come in two common cell formats:
- Cylindrical cells (resembling AA batteries)
- Prismatic cells, which are more efficient and compact, allowing for better energy density
At JS Speedshop, we've tested a range of brands over the years and have found consistent success with Go Lithium. Their batteries feature built-in battery maintenance systems (BMS), which are essential for safe charging and discharging.
Go Lithium’s 16-volt battery weighs only 9 lbs—a fraction of the weight of AGM or lead-acid batteries. It can also be mounted in any orientation. However, due to the battery's technology, it must be charged with a compatible charger.
Pros:
- Fast charging
- Lightweight
- Flexible mounting
- High power density in a compact size
Cons:
- Higher cost
- Requires a dedicated charger
Products We Carry
Here at JS Speedshop, we carry the full line of Go Lithium products—from their ultra-lightweight batteries to their high-end chargers designed to maximize battery life. We also machine our own in-house billet battery mounts, with optional integration for a remote battery disconnect, allowing for clean, short cable routing.