How To Convert Miata Battery To Different Group Size

Now that the primeval Mazda Miatas are about to turn 30, owners are probable to have swapped out their battery a couple of times.

Advances in technology hateful that loftier-quality battery replacements are much cheaper at present than they were when the Miata first hit the streets.

If you've put the greenbacks into a later generation Miata, dependability is probably more than of a business organisation than an NA or NB weekend-only car. So we've included a few premium options that will fit under the Miata NC or ND's hood.

As far as components go, batteries are more straightforward than sexy, but they are essential (obviously) and skilful ones not just let for a reliable start in cold weather, they unlock the potential for flashier upgrades.

Beneath yous'll find the best replacement batteries for your Mazda Miata.

Is Information technology Fourth dimension for a New Bombardment?

We get it. The battery on your outset Miata kept ticking for xi years and the current one is pushing nine. That's absolutely plausible — the Miata forums are sprinkled with threads of letters from Miata owners (especially for models from the 1990s or early 2000s) bragging virtually how long their OEM battery kept cranking for.

That'southward not typical for non-OEM. Conservative mechanics will give you 4 to 5 years of optimal performance before it's fourth dimension for a replacement Miata battery.

If your OEM battery (or an AGM replacement) is getting down to its last legs there is another important consideration: You can't jump-start an AGM battery the way you would a wet prison cell bombardment. The 20 amps from the jumper cables will destroy your AGM battery, which, instead, requires one amp, slowly delivered over 18 to 24 hours.

Take the Atmospheric condition Into Account

Climate is too an of import cistron for bombardment performance. Hot and humid weather will knock a couple years off a battery'due south life. Conversely, those who alive where wintertime virtually always includes a blizzard, know that their battery needs to piece of work extra hard to turn the engine over.

Cold cranking amps (CCA) is the term for the measure of how well a particular battery does in these weather condition. Iii variables have to be held abiding to make this number mean something when comparison models. The accustomed standard is that CCA represents the number of amps a battery can evangelize at 0 F for 30 seconds while maintaining at to the lowest degree 7.2 volts.

Miatas in snow and cold climates — If this is you lot, opt for a replacement battery with more cold cranking amps.

First and 2d Generation Miatas

The two early generations of the Miata (NA from 1990-98 and NB from 1999-2004) have devoted followers who appreciate the pared-downwards sportiness.

Some of these cars are reaching well into their third decade and will have batteries that need to be replaced for purely practical reasons. Other owners will want to swap in a new MX5 bombardment to add functioning options.

OEM NA and NB Miata Battery Specs

Both of the first ii generation MX5s shipped with a very well-regarded absorbent glass mat (AGM) bombardment, made past Panasonic. The Mazda Miata bombardment group size across all models is 51r.

Manufacturer: Panasonic
Cold cranking amps: 326
Grouping: 51r
Size/dimensions: nine.25″ L x 6.25″ W 10 5″ H (235mm L 10 160mm Due west x 125mm H)
Blazon: Captivated glass mat

Unless they came within a new Miata, y'all'll have trouble finding one of these batteries exterior of Japan. The weight means there's no way to ship them and sell them cheaply enough.

Mazda dealers volition sell y'all a Mazda-branded replacement bombardment that fits your Miata NA or NB, but it won't be made in Nippon.

More to the point, this "mill replacement" will be a standard wet-prison cell type battery and not absorbed glass mat engineering science. (And despite what some online sources claim, the original Miata bombardment was a standard absorbed glass mat one, non a gel cell.)

Some online retailers will sell what they merits are 18-carat OEM Panasonic Miata batteries. Maybe they are. But consider that the last second-gen Miata shipped almost 15 years agone.

Replacing the Battery in a Commencement or 2d Generation Miata

Those of us with an early Miata in the garage, probably would all say the same affair if asked to name one characteristic near its battery: it's in the trunk.

Mazda did this for 3 likely reasons:

By placing the heavy bombardment behind the driver, the car is able to maintain its enviable weight distribution.
The temperature in the trunk is about always lower than under the hood and varies much less drastically.
This means a much longer service life for your Miata battery.

The biggest disadvantage of putting a wet prison cell battery in the trunk is the mess it could make on the very rare chance that it explodes or leaks. The best-case scenario is an expensive carpeting cleaning, while the worst involves replacing valuable items that were in the torso at the time.

Miata Battery in the trunk spill — This torso-mounted bombardment spill hasn't gone well.

This undesirable state of affairs causes some to steer away from wet prison cell replacement batteries. (Including the OEM substitute that Mazda sells.) Nosotros tend to agree. A cheap Miata bombardment is non worth the economy in the long run.

That holds doubly truthful because the Miata designers set a adequately high baseline. Even in its starting time year, 1990, the MX5 came with an absorbed glass mat bombardment as standard.

Best Replacement Bombardment for Your NA or NB Miata

East Penn Manufacturing Co. is the only visitor in the US who makes an AGM bombardment for the first two generations of Mazda Miata. Their product is then relabelled past several national brands and offline retailers (including O'Reilly's).

When choosing between the Marathon, Deka or Westco relabelling information technology comes downwards to price and warranty.

Deka/East Penn 8AMU1R AGM Battery

Manufacturer: East Penn/Deka (or rebadged by Marathon or Westco)
Function number: 8AMU1R
Cold cranking amps: 320
Group: 51r
Size/dimensions: 7.viii"50 10 5.ii"Due west x 7.2"H (198mm 50 x 132mm Westward x 182mm H)
Blazon: Captivated drinking glass mat
Weight: 25 lbs (eleven.3 kg)
Warranty: One year
Check prices: Amazon

This is the leading AGM selection for a replacement Miata battery. It does a good task of comparing to OEM stats with 320 CCA and the 25 lbs weight. Information technology fits neatly into the stock battery holder with the poles on the correct side for piece of cake installation.

It comes in a sealed, maintenance-complimentary housing for worry-free operation.

Sturdy construction (as discussed in a higher place, it's made in the US) helps to reduce the chance of an internal brusque. And the affordable price tag doesn't hurt at all.

At this time, Marathon also sells their rebadged version with a one-twelvemonth warranty. Westco sells theirs with a four-year warranty that offers an exchange inside the first year or a credit after one year.

Odyssey PC925MJT Battery

Manufacturer: Odyssey
Part number: PC925MJT
Cold cranking amps: 330
Group: 51r
Size/dimensions: 11.1″ L 10 10.iii″ Due west x eight.4″ H (169mm 50 ten 179mm W x 148mm H)
Type: Absorbed drinking glass mat
Weight: 26 lbs (11.8 kg)
Warranty: Three and four-twelvemonth full replacement
Check prices: Amazon

This sturdiest option on the list is definitely not a inexpensive Miata battery, but it is a quality unit. The "MJ" in the function number indicates that Odyssey put this in a metal-jacket to ensure information technology's fifty-fifty more than vibration and daze-resistant than other options.

They back up that durability merits with a peculiarly potent warranty.

Some cars may need to add a longer bolt to the mounting subclass to go this Miata replacement battery to fit in their NA or NB MX5.

Third Generation Miatas

From 2005 through 2015, the Mazda MX5 NC held both critical and pop attention. Some stock batteries may well be withal running, while others need replacing.

OEM Specs for NC Miata Batteries

By the tertiary generation, the Miata's battery had moved to the engine bay. That meant better ventilation and so some owners were no longer concerned nigh batteries exploding in the trunk and Mazda could install a moisture cell version.

But it also means hotter running temperatures and a shorter useful life, especially if the fluid levels aren't monitored.

Manufacturer: Panasonic
Role Number: 46B24L(Southward) – MF
Cold cranking amps: 330
Group:124R/24FH
Size/dimensions: 9.2″ 50 x 5″ W ten 8.nine″ H (238mm Fifty x 129mm W 10 204mm H)
Type: Wet jail cell

Upgrading your NC Miata Battery

The silvery lining of a slow battery death is that you lot take the chance to upgrade. Possibly you desire to blast your after-market stereo or like to leave your lights on after parking while you hang out with friends.

Whatever the reason, an upgraded battery tin deliver more cranking amps at startup, a longer-held charge and quicker recharge when you take the grit cover off after a few weeks in the garage.

When replacing the battery on whatsoever adequately recent automobile that is loaded with electronics, we prefer to apply a bombardment tender while making the switch. This will keep your radio code, presets and other settings in place.

Best Replacement Bombardment for Your NC Miata

Seriously upgraded stereos tend to be more popular with later on model Miata owners. While acoustic mods aren't so popular with NA and NB drivers (who often remove these features) many NC Miata drivers beloved to mind to some beats.

For this reason we usually suggest a battery that tin handle the extra duty.

Optima 8073-167 D51R YellowTop Dual Purpose Battery

Optima 8073-167 D51R Replacement NC Miata Battery

Manufacturer: Optima
Part number: 8073-167 D51R
Common cold cranking amps: 450
Grouping: 51r
Size/dimensions: 9.two″ L 10 5″ Due west x eight.nine″ H (234mm 50 x 126mm W x 227mm H)
Blazon: SpiralCell
Weight: 26 lbs (11 kg)
Warranty: Three years
Check prices: Amazon

The dual-purpose in the proper noun means that Optima's yellow tops are designed to be both a starting and deep cycle bombardment. The latter application, based on a greater reserve of power, is more commonly associated with boats (where you need enough juice to go along lights and other loads powered overnight).

Simply it too makes perfect sense for a Mazda Miata with high-load accessories. This is not a inexpensive Miata battery replacement, but it is the battery you should be looking at if yous're frequently blasting the stereo on your MX5 with the engine off. Besides, that added feature comes at a small premium over the ruby-red-top version that is only designed for starting.

This battery will also fit the quaternary generation Miatas.

Fourth Generation Miatas

For 2016, Mazda put out a brand-new MX5 that continued the trend to more ability. It follows the NC'south pb by having the bombardment under the hood.

Ideal Replacement Bombardment for Your ND Miata

Notation that the best Miata battery replacement for an NC (similar the Optima yellow-top) will also work in your ND.

Duralast Gold Battery

Autozone Duralast 51R-DLG ND Miata Battery

Manufacturer: Duralast
Function Number:51R-DLG
Cold cranking amps: 500
Group:51r
Size/dimensions: ix.iv″ L ten 5″ W x eight.75″ H (238mm L x 129mm W x 223mm H)
Type: Wet cell
Weight: 27.8 lbs
Warranty: 5 years

This Duralast entry is one of the best MX5 replacement batteries for extreme weather condition.

At 500 common cold-cranking amps, information technology tops all of the options we've covered. Duralast likewise makes this sturdier than about with impact-resistant technology to protect confronting the hard knocks your MX5's replacement bombardment might meet at the track.

Honestly, for usa the lengthy 5 year warranty seals the deal.

What is the Best Battery for a Mazda Miata?

The battery sweet spot for your MX5 will depend on what you plan to inquire information technology to do for you. Hither are our suggestions for a few probable scenarios.

NA and NB MX5 replacement with great warranty:Odyssey PC925MJT
Inexpensive NA or NB Miata bombardment: Deka/East Penn 8AMU1R
Best for NC drivers with aftermarket stereo: Optima D51 Yellowish Top

Have some insight to add together? Did nosotros not cover your favourite Miata replacement battery? Go out a comment beneath and let usa know.