Need battery advice
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 878
Likes: 60
From: Minneapolis, MN USA
Need battery advice
Hi all,
I have a 1970 small block and need a new battery and would like any advice. I've done some research and hear good things about Costco's Kirkland (Interstate) battery and their great warranty, etc. They say their book has two options, one with 875 CCA and one with 1000 CCA.
Does anyone know which one I really need?
Any comments regarding the Kirkland battery?
Anyone have a good battery trickle charger/battery tender they would recommend that isn't super expensive?
Thanks!
I have a 1970 small block and need a new battery and would like any advice. I've done some research and hear good things about Costco's Kirkland (Interstate) battery and their great warranty, etc. They say their book has two options, one with 875 CCA and one with 1000 CCA.
Does anyone know which one I really need?
Any comments regarding the Kirkland battery?
Anyone have a good battery trickle charger/battery tender they would recommend that isn't super expensive?
Thanks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
I've had success with Interstate and Die Hard (Sears) batteries. I would put the battery with the most CCAs in it. Right now I'm using an Optima Red top. I won't buy another one though. I've had that thing on a charger quite a bit after working on the car with the doors open. It seems to drain down too quickly to suit me.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,180
Likes: 9,474
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
do some research and you will find there is only 3 manufactures in the world who make car batteries. the biggest thing you need to make sure is that it will fit in the battery box and you can use the mounting hard wear. do you drive your car in the cold?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 12
From: Frederick Maryland
Go for a Costco Kirkland brand battery and be happy. If you have a warranty problem they don't argue and want their customers happy.
Walmart's Maxx batteries are good as well but their shop guys suck...have no idea what they're doing. They won't hassle you with a warranty claim though.
Sears Die Hards have been up and down in quality over the years. I understand they have a different vendor now and quality has much improved.
There's a number of battery tenders on the market...dollar for dollar get a Battery Tender Plus.
Walmart's Maxx batteries are good as well but their shop guys suck...have no idea what they're doing. They won't hassle you with a warranty claim though.
Sears Die Hards have been up and down in quality over the years. I understand they have a different vendor now and quality has much improved.
There's a number of battery tenders on the market...dollar for dollar get a Battery Tender Plus.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,593
Likes: 103
From: Southern Indiana
Go to Autozone and pick up an Autozone battery with about 825CCA for $119 and a nifty little warranty and be done with it.
Way better than the deep cycle boat battery that came in my car!
Way better than the deep cycle boat battery that came in my car!
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,304
Likes: 14
From: Lynn MA
I am going to buy the least expensive battery for my car.....I have been through countless Optima's and every other trick battery in various cars... for the Corvette, I will get an Autozone special...
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
Goona say a 1000 cca battery is is 10'' rather than the more more common 8". Big battery, and really can't see why you'd need this. Nothing wrong with an Autozone or Advance Auto Gold battery, as what I use. Usually go Advance, as can order online, for later store pick up for 20% discount. Top warranties on these batteries too. For mantainers, while not the cheapest, have Ctek 3300's, and only thing I use for all 12v batteries. Patented multi step charging, can survive a dunk in the lake, or running over. Don't laugh, it happens.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 7,215
Likes: 1
From: Orlando FL
most of them are the same 
just a different color and label.find the best deal close to you and go with that.
AZ has a good warranty, Wal-Mart is cheaper
in the end get the most CCA that is the correct physical size at the cheapest price
In the end there are no winners in a battery thread.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 7,215
Likes: 1
From: Orlando FL
yes as long as the OP has access to the generic then I agree, as stated several places above they are all pretty much the same.
Last edited by oldschoolvette; Apr 30, 2013 at 10:41 AM. Reason: word tech
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,222
Likes: 93
From: shelbyville West Michigan
IMO, best thing you can do is install a battery cutoff switch and turn it off if you are not going to drive for a week or two. I have a blade type on sidepost for my '95 and one that unscrews with a **** for the '68 top post. Both cars started right up this spring after being stored since October in freezing weather without a tender. If you do use a tender, I prefer a 2amp unit put on a christmas tree light timer and run it once a day for an hour, not all the time. Have seen them overcharge and boil out making a mess...
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
I just get the cheapest at Walmart. You don't need anything robust. They have the best warranty too.
Used to use Kirkland, but switched to WM.
Also use a cutoff switch.
Maintainer is a Yuasa
http://www.yuasabatteries.com/chargers.php
Used to use Kirkland, but switched to WM.
Also use a cutoff switch.
Maintainer is a Yuasa
http://www.yuasabatteries.com/chargers.php
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 12
From: Frederick Maryland
My in-laws live in Arizona. The first time I visited them I commented on the huge number of tire and battery retailers I saw...it seemed every street corner had a battery/tire seller of some name.
My dad-in-law said it's due to the heat there...batteries (and tires) simply don't hold up in that kind of heat. He said that no matter what brand battery you buy and no matter what the cost or quality level, they last two years before replacement is necessary. The environment just bakes them in short order.
Tires wear out more quickly in that heat as well. It's just something they just have to deal with.
My dad-in-law said it's due to the heat there...batteries (and tires) simply don't hold up in that kind of heat. He said that no matter what brand battery you buy and no matter what the cost or quality level, they last two years before replacement is necessary. The environment just bakes them in short order.
Tires wear out more quickly in that heat as well. It's just something they just have to deal with.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
Response to Gungatim:
Disclaimer up front that I do NOT work for these guys--Deltran Battery Tender. I think the name is misleading. It should be "maintainer" because you plug this in and walk away. There is circuitry that shuts the device off when it reaches a full charge. Then as the battery loses charge it will come on again and shut of at full charge. It will continue to do this. Plug and play. Month after month and no timer to set. No danger of boiling over or exploding the battery. I plug my car and motorcycle in all winter, forget about it, and never had a problem. Here's the link:
http://batterytender.com/products/automotive.html
Disclaimer up front that I do NOT work for these guys--Deltran Battery Tender. I think the name is misleading. It should be "maintainer" because you plug this in and walk away. There is circuitry that shuts the device off when it reaches a full charge. Then as the battery loses charge it will come on again and shut of at full charge. It will continue to do this. Plug and play. Month after month and no timer to set. No danger of boiling over or exploding the battery. I plug my car and motorcycle in all winter, forget about it, and never had a problem. Here's the link:
http://batterytender.com/products/automotive.html
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 208
Likes: 6
From: Baltimore MD
i have had nothing but trouble with walmart batteries. they only last 2-3 years then die. the best batteries i ever had were delco but can't find them anymore. they always lasted 5 years without trouble. i just got my first interstate battery. i heard they are great. guess i will see.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 295
Likes: 2
From: Concordia KS
The Del-Tran battery tenders work great. I use them on all my cars and bikes. I like Delco and Interstate batteries. Just because there are only a couple of battery manufactures doesn't mean all batteries are the same. They are made to the specs of the retailer and I am sure some are trying to save a few bucks buy making them cheaper.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 65
From: Wauconda IL
Personally, I wouldn't put in anything than an AGM battery in an application that has the battery in an enclosed space (like the C3).
Also, disconnect the battery anytime the car is going to sit for more than a week at a time.
Just my .02
Also, disconnect the battery anytime the car is going to sit for more than a week at a time.
Just my .02