Optima Battery
02-28-2016, 09:36 AM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
Optima Battery
Guys
Well the time has come to replace the old leaking battery I had in the car, had battery acid all over the place in the well and put baking soda all over to soak it up. Now that the weather is getting warmer and spring is around the corner I was going to clean and prep the battery box and go with the Optima Battery.
I was wondering for those of you that have the Optima are you happy with it, are they reliable, and what size or part number will fit in the space. I see there are a lot of different applications for our Vettes.
Thank you
Well the time has come to replace the old leaking battery I had in the car, had battery acid all over the place in the well and put baking soda all over to soak it up. Now that the weather is getting warmer and spring is around the corner I was going to clean and prep the battery box and go with the Optima Battery.
I was wondering for those of you that have the Optima are you happy with it, are they reliable, and what size or part number will fit in the space. I see there are a lot of different applications for our Vettes.
Thank you
02-28-2016, 09:57 AM
#2
Haven't used one in the vette yet, but I did have one in my boat. Only issue I had was that I needed to buy a new battery charger that has the circuitry for use with Optima style batteries. Please post pics when you're done. It's on my list of projects for my 72.
02-28-2016, 10:15 AM
#3
Team Owner
I use AGM batteries
02-28-2016, 11:47 AM
#4
Burning Brakes
Happy with my Optima Red Top. 1000CA/800CCA, It cranks my 383 crate easily. Some will say yellow over red. My red has worked perfect so far. PN 8004-003
02-28-2016, 11:54 AM
#5
Racer
Member Since: Nov 2006
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I had a red top for a few years after we used it in my dirt track car for a couple of years. It finally died but once I ran it down completely and it was a B---ch to get charged back up. Now I just have a Deka sealed Bat and keep a tender on it,,,much cheaper and works just fine.
02-28-2016, 11:55 AM
#6
Safety Car
Stay away from Optima I can not tell you how many people have been disappointed by them. You would be better of with a the AC/Delco IMOP
02-28-2016, 01:54 PM
#8
Originally Posted by diehrd
Stay away from Optima I can not tell you how many people have been disappointed by them. You would be better of with a the AC/Delco IMOP
read this post from C2 forum. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...3783585&page=1
02-28-2016, 01:55 PM
#9
Team Owner
My polaris quad boiled away my original one year old battery so I switched to AGM and it has been good to go ever since
02-28-2016, 01:57 PM
#10
Race Director
Member Since: Oct 2004
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I've had 2 Optimas and they both died quick deaths. They are the most over rated, overpriced batteries with the highest failure rates right out of the box of any brand in my opinion. Interstate or AC Delco are my favorites.
02-28-2016, 02:23 PM
#12
I run Optima batteries in the truck, boat, corvette, and work vans. they are good batteries.
In my experience, they can be killed dead several times and they come back to life
Its impossible for them to leak acid etc.
In my experience, they can be killed dead several times and they come back to life
Its impossible for them to leak acid etc.
Last edited by Rcdizy; 02-28-2016 at 02:23 PM.
02-28-2016, 02:42 PM
#13
Originally Posted by Rcdizy
In my experience, they can be killed dead several times and they come back.
My Redtop died and never returned. 
Last edited by babbah; 02-28-2016 at 02:45 PM.
02-28-2016, 02:52 PM
#14
02-28-2016, 03:48 PM
#15
Le Mans Master
Costco (Kirkland) batteries are the bomb...I had 2 that lasted 15 years..one in the 78 C3, the other in a 94 Mustang GT Convertible. Save your money and don't buy an overpriced Optima-whatever color.
Last edited by jb78L-82; 02-28-2016 at 03:48 PM.
02-28-2016, 03:56 PM
#16
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Apr 2001
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Cruise-In IX Veteran
I ran the 34 series red top in my 71. I eventually moved it to my z06 and have been running it in that car since 2006.
Last edited by Sigforty; 02-28-2016 at 03:56 PM.
02-28-2016, 04:12 PM
#17
Melting Slicks
ive always had good luck with Orielly auto, agm SuperStart batteries. just another idea.
02-28-2016, 05:36 PM
#18
Le Mans Master
I have had good luck with the Optima batteries. I have the second red in my 2008 and a yellow in my '81. The yellow is a deep cycle battery. I have a high powered stereo which drains the battery down when not running. I keep a trickle charger on it at all times.
I do think the Optima batteries are overpriced though.
I do think the Optima batteries are overpriced though.
Last edited by Street Rat; 02-28-2016 at 05:37 PM.
02-28-2016, 05:46 PM
#19
Drifting
Thread Starter
Well I will at least get the battery box cleaned up and prepped for the new power source but it looks like I will have to do some soul searching on the type of battery I'm gonna use. Thank you for your opinions on this fine Sunday. Hope your all well. 
02-28-2016, 06:49 PM
#20
Burning Brakes
I've tried quite a few brands over the last 50 years. I've finally settled on the top warranty battery that's available at Walmart. The advantage here is that they are open all the time, especially if you have a super center near you. If the battery fails, just return it and get a replacement. They are super accomodating. Good luck.
Duane
Duane