For most Mustang owners, the battery isn’t something that gets much attention until it’s time for a replacement. As long as the car starts when you turn the key, there’s usually little reason to think twice about what’s under the hood or tucked away in the trunk.
But what if replacing that old battery could do more than just get your Mustang running again?
XS Power’s Titan8 RSV23 is a 12-volt lithium battery weighing just 10 pounds, combining impressive cranking capability with a fraction of the weight of a conventional automotive battery. Beyond shedding a few pounds, Titan8 technology brings advantages in charging efficiency, voltage stability, and battery lifespan.
We’re putting the RSV23 to use in Mustang Magazine’s latest Fox Body project, Project Black Betty, replacing a traditional 12-volt battery and its large rear-mounted enclosure. The goal is simple: take advantage of modern battery technology while keeping the Mustang’s existing 12-volt electrical system.
More Than Just a Weight Reduction
The first thing that stands out about the XS Power Titan8 RSV23 is its weight. At just 10 pounds, it’s considerably lighter than most conventional automotive batteries, many of which weigh anywhere from 35 to 50 pounds.
But there’s a lot more to this battery than shedding a few pounds.
XS Power designed its Titan8 lineup around lithium titanate technology, allowing the company to pack substantial cranking power into a surprisingly lightweight package. The RSV23 delivers a manufacturer-rated 500 cranking amps, with a 750-amp lead-acid equivalent rating.
For Mustang owners, that cranking capability is particularly interesting. Whether you’re firing up your Fox Body after it’s been sitting in the garage or starting your weekend cruiser for a Saturday drive, having a battery that can deliver strong current to the starter is an important part of dependable starting performance.
Another advantage of Titan8 technology is voltage stability. Conventional batteries can experience a noticeable voltage drop when a heavy electrical load is applied. XS Power’s lithium technology is designed to maintain more consistent voltage under demanding conditions, helping support the starter and other electrical components when they’re drawing power.
And when you combine that performance with a battery weighing just 10 pounds, it’s easy to see why lithium technology is becoming an interesting option for traditional 12-volt vehicles.
Performance That Goes Beyond Starting Your Mustang
While cranking performance gets plenty of attention, there are other characteristics of Titan8 technology that deserve a closer look.
One of those is charging efficiency.
XS Power designed Titan8 batteries to accept charging current efficiently, allowing them to recover their charge more quickly than conventional AGM batteries under comparable charging conditions. For enthusiasts who don’t drive their Mustangs every day, that’s a useful characteristic, especially when a car spends more time in the garage than on the road.
Battery lifespan is another area where lithium titanate technology stands out.
Every time a battery is discharged and recharged, it goes through what’s known as a charge cycle. Over time, those cycles contribute to battery wear and reduced capacity. Lithium titanate chemistry is known for handling a high number of charge cycles, which is one of the reasons XS Power uses it in the Titan8 lineup.
There’s also the construction itself. Titan8 batteries use internal cell balancing to help keep the individual cells operating consistently. Combined with the chemistry’s thermal stability characteristics, it’s a different approach from the conventional lead-acid batteries most Mustang owners are accustomed to.
None of this changes the basic job of a battery. It still needs to start the engine and supply power to the vehicle’s electrical systems. The difference is how Titan8 accomplishes that job, particularly when it comes to weight, current delivery, and charging behavior.
Bringing Titan8 Technology to Project Black Betty
Our latest application for the RSV23 is Project Black Betty, an upcoming Mustang Magazine project built around a Fox Body Mustang.
The car previously had a conventional 12-volt battery relocated to the rear, housed inside a large battery box. It was a functional setup, but there was an opportunity to clean things up while removing a considerable amount of weight.
After pulling the original battery and enclosure, we mounted the Titan8 RSV23 using a compact battery tray and hold-down assembly. The difference between the old and new setups is immediately noticeable, both in the space occupied and the weight of the battery itself.
The nice part about this upgrade is that Black Betty is keeping its existing 12-volt electrical system. There’s no conversion to a different voltage or major electrical overhaul involved.
That’s also part of the appeal of XS Power’s broader 12-volt Titan8 lineup. The company offers Direct Fit batteries in common automotive group sizes, allowing owners of compatible vehicles to replace a conventional battery without redesigning their electrical systems.
It’s a straightforward upgrade that fits right in with the direction of the project, and one that doesn’t require tearing into the rest of the car.
Keeping the Battery Charged With XS Power’s IntelliCharger
Along with the RSV23, another piece of equipment in the Mustang Magazine garage is XS Power’s Performance IntelliCharger.
The charger features selectable 12-, 14-, and 16-volt settings, along with adjustable 5-, 15-, and 25-amp charging rates. Its digital display provides voltage and amperage readings, while indicators show charging progress, float mode, and potential errors.
It’s a convenient setup for a garage with different battery configurations, particularly when maintaining multiple project vehicles.
An Upgrade That Makes Sense Beyond the Spec Sheet
It’s easy to overlook a battery when planning improvements for a Mustang. Most of the attention naturally goes toward the engine, suspension, wheels, and other components you can see or feel while driving.
But the XS Power Titan8 RSV23 brings several improvements together in one package. It’s significantly lighter than a conventional battery, offers strong cranking capability, and uses lithium technology designed around efficient charging and extended cycle-life potential.
For Project Black Betty, the old battery and bulky enclosure are out, the new Titan8 is mounted, and the Mustang retains its existing 12-volt configuration. Once everything is connected, we’ll be able to put the battery to work and see how it performs in the car.
Whether you’re working on a Fox Body, maintaining a weekend cruiser, or simply replacing an aging battery, it’s worth understanding what newer battery technology has to offer.
You can find more information about the Titan8 RSV23 and XS Power’s other 12-volt battery options at XS Power Batteries.
