82 battery choice
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: East TN
82 battery choice
All
I recently bought my second Corvette, a pretty nice 82, but I think the battery may be weak. The manual says to get a F-18 size battery.
Can anyone be more specific? My C2 has the battery in the engine compartment, not in the cabin, so I don't give it much thought. Does having one in the cabin make for special circumstances (like a maintenance free Delco or xxx brand)?
Brand/size recommendations for a C3 please? Thanks, Dave
I recently bought my second Corvette, a pretty nice 82, but I think the battery may be weak. The manual says to get a F-18 size battery.
Can anyone be more specific? My C2 has the battery in the engine compartment, not in the cabin, so I don't give it much thought. Does having one in the cabin make for special circumstances (like a maintenance free Delco or xxx brand)?
Brand/size recommendations for a C3 please? Thanks, Dave
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,419
Likes: 1,555
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
This one works for me.
8 years ago I bought a NAPA #7578 it was still good when I replaced it 2 months ago. I just figured I would replace it before I got stuck somewhere. My car takes about 6 seconds to start if it sits for a week or more and it never failed to start my 74. The vent hoses on the 7578 are oval but the lines will fit with a little persuasion. PG.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
All
....
Can anyone be more specific? My C2 has the battery in the engine compartment, not in the cabin, so I don't give it much thought. Does having one in the cabin make for special circumstances (like a maintenance free Delco or xxx brand)?
Brand/size recommendations for a C3 please? Thanks, Dave
....
Can anyone be more specific? My C2 has the battery in the engine compartment, not in the cabin, so I don't give it much thought. Does having one in the cabin make for special circumstances (like a maintenance free Delco or xxx brand)?
Brand/size recommendations for a C3 please? Thanks, Dave
.
Some of us use the Optima Red batteries.
I prefer dual post batteries esp. for cars that came w/ side posts.
Therefore:
1 Optima Red (expensive)
2 NAPA Select 84 34/78 because Consumer Reports rated it a Best Buy for cold weather climates. "maintenance free"
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 112
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From: Caledon Ont
Personaly I prefer the Delco Maintenance free. I've put them in everything...Fords, dodge, imports and never had a problem. I have with some cheaper batteries so I stick to Delco especialy since I live in a cold weather climate... It's not to say another battery brand won't work.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 24
From: Boston MA
Braille Carbon fiber lightweight battery.
B3121C
21lbs/9.5kg
1380 Pulse Cranking Amps
31 Amp/Hr Reserve
6.6” x 5.2” x 6.8"
Right Side Positive
just get an optima and be done with it...keep your batteries on a tender when not in use and they will last forever.
Lead Acid batteries do not like to be in a state of discharge.
B3121C
21lbs/9.5kg
1380 Pulse Cranking Amps
31 Amp/Hr Reserve
6.6” x 5.2” x 6.8"
Right Side Positive
just get an optima and be done with it...keep your batteries on a tender when not in use and they will last forever.
Lead Acid batteries do not like to be in a state of discharge.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: East TN
For some strange reason, the Optima site doesn't list 82 Corvette as an application. Must be an oversight. They have every other model. I would assume that Corvette is ok, as these are sealed batteries (no gas leak into the cabin). Model 75/25 dual post appears to be the answer.
Correcto?
Correcto?
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2007
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,238
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From: ESCONDIDO CA
2025 C2 of the Year ('63 and '67) Finalist - Unmodified
C2 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Bought an Optima three years ago. At first it was strong and dependable. But you guys know how these cars sit around as we fix this or that. Mine would discharge now and then, sometimes a hard to start car would drain it pretty good.
Within about 12 months, I could not depend upon it. Many sudden decisions to drive the Vette were chucked because the battery did not have enough charge to do the job.
I returned it to Costco for a full refund (on the spot), thank you Costco, bought the biggest, highest amp battery that would fit and I have never once, in the last two years, been denied a ride in the Vette. So there you go.
Within about 12 months, I could not depend upon it. Many sudden decisions to drive the Vette were chucked because the battery did not have enough charge to do the job.
I returned it to Costco for a full refund (on the spot), thank you Costco, bought the biggest, highest amp battery that would fit and I have never once, in the last two years, been denied a ride in the Vette. So there you go.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Model12
Yes, that should work fine for basically stock.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,165
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From: Boston MA
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 952
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Apples and Oranges.
Cars DO come with Steel Belted tires now. They do NOT come with Optimas.
Using your logic of modern improvements being judged upon their usage by automakers, Optimas fail the test.
Plain old lead acid batteries last me 5 years like a clock, then fail, and cost $100 or less.
Optimas bring nothing to the table except added cost.
Cars DO come with Steel Belted tires now. They do NOT come with Optimas.
Using your logic of modern improvements being judged upon their usage by automakers, Optimas fail the test.
Plain old lead acid batteries last me 5 years like a clock, then fail, and cost $100 or less.
Optimas bring nothing to the table except added cost.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
of you got the bucks and no clearence issues with the top post, optima makes a damn fine batt, but dollar per calorie, per mile i would look at interstate. Napa and carquest batts are just exide with another cover on it
Intermediate
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Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 98
From: Ontario
OK, a 34/78 replacement. Some 1,050 cranking amps (CA) and 875 cold cranking amps (CCA). This is a battery sold by Canadian Tire here in Canada. The price is $109CDN or about $90US. It is an Exide product. Really turns the engine. Nine-year warranty pro-rated and three-year direct.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 126
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I'm pretty sure Napa is using Johnson Control batteries now. I was told they gave up on Excide. Johnson Control also makes Interstate.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,238
Likes: 288
From: ESCONDIDO CA
2025 C2 of the Year ('63 and '67) Finalist - Unmodified
C2 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
OK, a 34/78 replacement. Some 1,050 cranking amps (CA) and 875 cold cranking amps (CCA). This is a battery sold by Canadian Tire here in Canada. The price is $109CDN or about $90US. It is an Exide product. Really turns the engine. Nine-year warranty pro-rated and three-year direct.