Best Battery for 87?
02-08-2009, 10:38 AM
#2
no need to put too much thought into this - any quality, name-brand battery will do...
02-08-2009, 12:47 PM
#5
Safety Car
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St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Go with a factory correct Delco from an authorized distributor . I have had many batteries in my '88 over the years, the Delco's have been the best. I also use the correct Delco in my GS and my '71 Cadillac 
02-08-2009, 05:56 PM
#8
Safety Car
The new Optimas don't seem to have the same quality. When I went into Auto Zone for a battery for the 84 they had three returned that day and they didn't recommend spending the extra money.
02-08-2009, 06:05 PM
#9
Racer
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Optima, I cheeped out last year and just got a "good" battery. I don't think it's going to make it through next year. The battery in the Vette is small to save space and weight but the cranking load is the same as a truck.
02-08-2009, 06:06 PM
#10
02-08-2009, 06:06 PM
#11
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I think Optimas are pointless unless you are going to run it dead all the time. They aren't really designed to just have their charge topped off by the alternator. Any battery with 600 CCa will do.
02-08-2009, 06:18 PM
#12
Melting Slicks
02-08-2009, 11:43 PM
#14
What is the difference when the battery says Sears Gold North and Sears Gold South? Thanks guys! Again the forum comes through.
Last edited by Whitecloud; 02-09-2009 at 12:00 AM.
02-09-2009, 07:47 AM
#15
Melting Slicks
02-09-2009, 08:12 AM
#16
way too much thought into this thread... 
02-09-2009, 03:27 PM
#17
Hey, my walmart neverlast that came with my 93 works just fine, granted it was dead after sitting 2 months, but a day on the charger and I was back in business. Besides if you have a manual transmission, just park on the top of a hill.
02-09-2009, 03:41 PM
#18
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Well here is my experience with Optima Red Tops:
In the last 3 years I've gone through two of them...
In the 5 years before that I had a Duralast Gold and that came when I bought the car (not sure how long it had been in there) but worked fine for several years...
I still have a Red Top now though and havent had problems with this one
In the last 3 years I've gone through two of them...
In the 5 years before that I had a Duralast Gold and that came when I bought the car (not sure how long it had been in there) but worked fine for several years...
I still have a Red Top now though and havent had problems with this one
02-09-2009, 08:48 PM
#19
Melting Slicks
02-09-2009, 09:02 PM
#20
Team Owner
The Sears DieHard Gold is a decent battery as is the Interstate. If you want an AC Delco, get the "Professional Grade" version from a reputable shop or parts stoire that sells AC Delco parts . The AC Delco batteries sold at the retail level like chain parts stores are a lower grade.
Stay away from the cheap Shucks, AutoZone, Les Schwab Tire batteries, and shady places like "Fred's car parts and dishwasher repair".
Don't listen to sale pitches that only talk about so many months warranty. Battery warranties are pro-rated and after 2-3 years, they won't give you much of anything on a warranty replacement. The battery for the 87 is a Group 75 and you should get one with a minimum of 600 CCA at 0 degrees.
Stay away from the cheap Shucks, AutoZone, Les Schwab Tire batteries, and shady places like "Fred's car parts and dishwasher repair".
Don't listen to sale pitches that only talk about so many months warranty. Battery warranties are pro-rated and after 2-3 years, they won't give you much of anything on a warranty replacement. The battery for the 87 is a Group 75 and you should get one with a minimum of 600 CCA at 0 degrees.