about part number.....
Optima battery Help
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,576
Likes: 32
From: Sarasota Florida
Optima battery Help
Hello
I was enjoying my Corvette when I deiced to stop at the gas station and fill her up. When I went to start it all I heard was a "clicking" noise...Yep the battery is DEAD..
I got a jump start from the friendly HESS gas station lady..I manged to get it home. Then I decided to buy a Red Optima battery..
Well I go to the local Pep Boys and their is NO
book on the battery applications 
go to the counter tell them I drive a 1963 Corvette. The kid at the counter was looking at me funny. He went on the computer and could not find the appilcation for a 1963 Corvette.
After a meeting of the "Pep Boys" minds I was told that I need a RED 34/78 Optima battery.
My question is this...I know its hard to believe but I am "questioning" weather or not I really did get the right battery..These battery arent exactly "cheap"..
I am wondering if I did get the right battery for my Corvette? I was wondering if there is a "trick" to putting the battery in?
Thanks
Pete
I was enjoying my Corvette when I deiced to stop at the gas station and fill her up. When I went to start it all I heard was a "clicking" noise...Yep the battery is DEAD..
I got a jump start from the friendly HESS gas station lady..I manged to get it home. Then I decided to buy a Red Optima battery..
Well I go to the local Pep Boys and their is NO
book on the battery applications go to the counter tell them I drive a 1963 Corvette. The kid at the counter was looking at me funny. He went on the computer and could not find the appilcation for a 1963 Corvette.After a meeting of the "Pep Boys" minds I was told that I need a RED 34/78 Optima battery.
My question is this...I know its hard to believe but I am "questioning" weather or not I really did get the right battery..These battery arent exactly "cheap"..
I am wondering if I did get the right battery for my Corvette? I was wondering if there is a "trick" to putting the battery in?
Thanks
Pete
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 12,470
Likes: 1,548
From: Camp Verde AZ
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
2017 C1 of Year Finalist
As long as it is 12V, the posts are in the right place, and it is about the same external diemnsions, it is the right battery.
Doug
Doug
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,186
Likes: 156
From: Toosoon Arizona
12 jolts is 12 jolts
I always look for the most CCA (cold cranking amps) I can afford! You can never have too many amps for a 10.5:1 engine!!
Nice thing about the Optima when you install them you can turn them upside down and you don't have to worry about spilling acid all over the car, that there is worth every penny you pay for them
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 9,556
Likes: 288
From: Granbury Texas
My Optima battery guide shows that the 34/78 battery is 12V, and has 800 cold cranking amps @ 0 degrees F, and 980Amps @ 32 degrees F.
It's 10"X67/8"X713/16", and the only downside I can see (besides price) is tha it weighs 38.8 lbs. (I have both a 63 and a 2004 Z06 which put a premium on low weight;-) Best of luck with it, and please give us some feedback on your experience with it.
It's 10"X67/8"X713/16", and the only downside I can see (besides price) is tha it weighs 38.8 lbs. (I have both a 63 and a 2004 Z06 which put a premium on low weight;-) Best of luck with it, and please give us some feedback on your experience with it.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,576
Likes: 32
From: Sarasota Florida
My Optima battery guide shows that the 34/78 battery is 12V, and has 800 cold cranking amps @ 0 degrees F, and 980Amps @ 32 degrees F.
It's 10"X67/8"X713/16", and the only downside I can see (besides price) is tha it weighs 38.8 lbs. (I have both a 63 and a 2004 Z06 which put a premium on low weight;-) Best of luck with it, and please give us some feedback on your experience with it.
It's 10"X67/8"X713/16", and the only downside I can see (besides price) is tha it weighs 38.8 lbs. (I have both a 63 and a 2004 Z06 which put a premium on low weight;-) Best of luck with it, and please give us some feedback on your experience with it.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,660
Likes: 7
From: DFW
Edit. the web site is even better than I remember.. try this link:
http://www.optimabatteries.com/daily...d_your_optima/
Last edited by 66since71; Nov 19, 2007 at 09:22 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,934
Likes: 657
From: Norwalk ohio
2019 Corvette of the Year Winner
St. Jude Donor '15
this is what I used in the new battery location in the trunk of my 1960......
no acid spill is a big plus for these batteries....
Battery is located just oustide diameter of spare tire wheel well on LEFT
no acid spill is a big plus for these batteries....
Battery is located just oustide diameter of spare tire wheel well on LEFT
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 17,901
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From: Inverness FL
St. Jude Donor '07
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
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My oldest son has had a red top in his '63 Chevy II show car (with my 'Vette's former 388" sprint car engine in it) for at least 10 years. It gets started at most every 60 days. Fires that stone-cold high-compression mill instantly.
I got my latest one from Costco when they were on special for $105 to put in my old Suburban. Works great and I can jump-start anything. Like radial tires, the cost per mile is probably lower than the cheaper-up-front conventional alternative.
I got my latest one from Costco when they were on special for $105 to put in my old Suburban. Works great and I can jump-start anything. Like radial tires, the cost per mile is probably lower than the cheaper-up-front conventional alternative.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 12,470
Likes: 1,548
From: Camp Verde AZ
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
2017 C1 of Year Finalist
I like your battery location, doesn't take up any existing trunk space. Any issues with stuff under the car, like exhaust?
Love those hi-tech plasma arc battery cables.
Doug
Love those hi-tech plasma arc battery cables.
Doug
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,934
Likes: 657
From: Norwalk ohio
2019 Corvette of the Year Winner
St. Jude Donor '15
Here you can see where he tucked it...
You can see it from underneath
DSE, Detroit Speed and Engineering makes those nifty bulk head fittings for the pass through of the battery leads as well as a kit for battery relocation. They have the cable (tell them how long) as well as the connectors that go on the ends. Worked well!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,097
Likes: 99
From: Boston MA
1. Go to your car's owner's manual. It'll tell you that car car takes a Group 24 battery.
2. The Battery Council International (BCI) assigns group numbers to automotive batteries. Google "BCI" to find the size of a Group 24 battery. Then, on the same chart, find the size of the battery you bought. I believe you'll find that the size you bought is close to the Group 24's width and length. But is slightly shorter. The critical issue here is whether and how well it'll fit into your existing battery tray and hold down. You don't want the battery rattling around when you drive.
3. Easiest of all. Go to "optimabatteries.com" and look up your car.
The Group number only applies to size. The electrical capacity, or "guts" of the thing, is in the other data. Don't bother looking that up. Optimas certainly surpass whatever originally came in your car. I believe just about every battery sold today will do that.
2. The Battery Council International (BCI) assigns group numbers to automotive batteries. Google "BCI" to find the size of a Group 24 battery. Then, on the same chart, find the size of the battery you bought. I believe you'll find that the size you bought is close to the Group 24's width and length. But is slightly shorter. The critical issue here is whether and how well it'll fit into your existing battery tray and hold down. You don't want the battery rattling around when you drive.
3. Easiest of all. Go to "optimabatteries.com" and look up your car.
The Group number only applies to size. The electrical capacity, or "guts" of the thing, is in the other data. Don't bother looking that up. Optimas certainly surpass whatever originally came in your car. I believe just about every battery sold today will do that.
