"...My reaserch resulted in the conclusion, that the strongest battery that will fit in the tray is an Exide Premium Carbon Boost EA640 with 640 CCA. You suggested more - starting by 700 CCA. Will 640 CCA be enough?...
I wouldn't consider anything less than 800cca, for a Pontiac V8.
Just curious, what are the dimensions of the batt tray ? I just bought a 24F Wal Mart batt, for our Tacoma. I think it has 750cca.
I love the 34/78 series batts, which have both side terminals & top posts. I like to add short jumper wires, from the side terms up to the top post connections. That way, if the top post connection should lose all or most of it's contact, you still have good contact thru the side term. I used these type batts on my farm tractor, as well as my last 2 Pontiac drag cars. Both cars had 2 of these type batts, in the trunk.
Here's the batt I bought for my tractor. It was less than $100 from a local battery store, thru a friends commercial account.
Marine batts have posts & threaded studs. So, you could add some jumper wires on these type batts also.
Back in the old days, I had LOTS of hot no-start problems, with my drag Pontiacs. The Summit mini starters ended my start problems. They'll crank a high compression 455 Pontiac engine, even when hot. It was a big relief to know that my 455 would start, for the next round, rather than wonder if it would start. No longer had to leave it running while in the staging lanes.
I, and many others, also recommend using a Ford type starter solenoid, mounted on the firewall. Recently put one in my current '80 bracket Bird project. The main starter cable will have power only when trying to start. A small jumper wire will connect to the start term on the starter. Your main power wire will connect to the hot side term of the firewall solenoid, where the positive batt cable attaches. Quite common set-up on race cars.
This QuickCar brand seems to be popular with drag racers. Back in the old days I used a cheap black plastic one that stuck in the ON position. So, for my last 2 cars I went with metal case ones. Don't know that the metal case ones are any better. The Cole-Hersee solenoids seem to get good reviews, so I went with it. Haven't used it yet.
