Replacement Battery
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 355
Likes: 1
From: Ephrata PA
Replacement Battery
I am in the process of rebuilding my engine and since I have everything out of my engine compartment I fell it might be convenient to replace my battery. Any good recommendations on a replacement battery. Not looking to be judged, just want a good long lasting battery.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Gilbert AZ
I highly recommend the Optima (red top) battery. It is long lasting, warns you when it getting weak, and never needs fluid since it is a dry cell. It has lots of cranking power, works well in cold weather and isn't bothered by very hot weather either.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,867
Likes: 195
From: Maryland
If judging is not an issue, I would go with the minimum cold cranking amp battery necessary for your car. There are only a couple of manufactors that make batteries for the country. I use a Costco battery made by Johnson Controls rated at 575 CCA. Been in my C-1 for 5 years and cost at the time $29.95. 
Race Director
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 12,712
Likes: 2,271
Any Group 24, which is the proper size. The Costco, Pep Boys, and Autozone house brands are all made by Johnson Controls and are good for five to eight years if kept charged and not allowed to severely discharge.
Peel off the labels and you have a plain black, unobtrusive looking battery for about 40 bucks.
Duke
Peel off the labels and you have a plain black, unobtrusive looking battery for about 40 bucks.
Duke
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,257
Likes: 6
From: Mission Viejo California
Originally Posted by SWCDuke
The Costco, Pep Boys, and Autozone house brands are all made by Johnson Controls
It must be 10 or 20 years ago when GM closed the Delco battery factory in L.A.
I just bought a new Delco battery from Pep Boys for my daughter's Oldsmobile. It was $69. Works great.
Race Director
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 12,712
Likes: 2,271
AFAIK GM still manufactures Delco batteries in house and only manufactures "Delco" brand batteries, but it's been awhile since I've heard anything new on this front. They've never manufactured batteries for any other brand names.
The only other car battery manufacturers in North Amercia are Johnson Contols and Exide including the Exide-Yuasa joint venture. Johnson Controls does not offer batteries under their corporate name, however, they manufacture Optima batteries, which is a brand they own, and they manufacture most of the brand names you will run across in parts stores for customers who own those brand names.
Exide manufactures under their own name, subbrands, and also for other brands.
The clue as to whether a common lead acid battery was manufactured by Johnson Controls or Exide is the difference in case design details. Within the brands that each manufactures, the only real difference is the stick-on labels. And AFAIK the only difference between different warranty periods - 60, 72, 84 months,...whatever - is the price. A longer warranty period is essentially just a priced in "service contract", and you are usually better off buying the least expensive, lowest warranty period battery in the size group, especially if you understand how to maintain a battery to achieve maximum life.
If you want to "get smart" on automotive batteries, do some surfing on the following two sites.
www.johnsoncontrols.com
www.exide.com
Duke
The only other car battery manufacturers in North Amercia are Johnson Contols and Exide including the Exide-Yuasa joint venture. Johnson Controls does not offer batteries under their corporate name, however, they manufacture Optima batteries, which is a brand they own, and they manufacture most of the brand names you will run across in parts stores for customers who own those brand names.
Exide manufactures under their own name, subbrands, and also for other brands.
The clue as to whether a common lead acid battery was manufactured by Johnson Controls or Exide is the difference in case design details. Within the brands that each manufactures, the only real difference is the stick-on labels. And AFAIK the only difference between different warranty periods - 60, 72, 84 months,...whatever - is the price. A longer warranty period is essentially just a priced in "service contract", and you are usually better off buying the least expensive, lowest warranty period battery in the size group, especially if you understand how to maintain a battery to achieve maximum life.
If you want to "get smart" on automotive batteries, do some surfing on the following two sites.
www.johnsoncontrols.com
www.exide.com
Duke
Last edited by SWCDuke; Dec 31, 2005 at 02:59 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,631
Likes: 11
From: Rocklin California
I have had both of the Optima batteries and prefer the yellow top. They are excellent batteries. But in your Corvette, I think I would want a black battery as the Optima sticks out like a sore thumb. 
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,257
Likes: 6
From: Mission Viejo California
Originally Posted by SWCDuke
AFAIK GM still manufactures Delco batteries in house and only manufactures "Delco" brand batteries, but it's been awhile since I've heard anything new on this front. They've never manufactured batteries for any other brand names.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 8,506
Likes: 3
From: Calhoun, GA_______ Let It Rock
I've heard the advantage with the Optima are the individual cells with smaller plates vs. large plate in a regular battery. Great for high vibration and harsher environments. Not convinced they are worth the extra money for our usage.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,808
Likes: 24
From: Westport CT
I have known for some time about the desireability of a Johnson Controls made battery; when Sears stopped using JC for their Die Hard brand the quality and performance suffered immediately.
I must say, however, that I have had no problem, ever, with an Optima battery - have 2 of them in my boat, 2 of them in my Avalanche, and one in my 65. HAving had the joy of batteries crapping out (who hasn't) in boats and cars, I put good batteries in the same category as tires - don't care if they don't look period correct, I just want them to work well.
I must say, however, that I have had no problem, ever, with an Optima battery - have 2 of them in my boat, 2 of them in my Avalanche, and one in my 65. HAving had the joy of batteries crapping out (who hasn't) in boats and cars, I put good batteries in the same category as tires - don't care if they don't look period correct, I just want them to work well.
