C4 Optima
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
C4 Optima
First of all I'm a rookie and this is a first time posting: Have pitty!!!
I'm thinking of buying an Optima (red/yellow) battery for my '91. There is no listing (fit) for my car. The reason for joining this forum was to get more information on this battery and how it will work with the car. Has anyone tried this combination?
jrscott
I'm thinking of buying an Optima (red/yellow) battery for my '91. There is no listing (fit) for my car. The reason for joining this forum was to get more information on this battery and how it will work with the car. Has anyone tried this combination?
jrscott
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 765
Likes: 1
From: Bowling Green KY
Welcome to the forum....I know there is an Optima battery that will fit the car....it is red and black...I don't know if color makes a diffrence. Just to let you know....this is a question that needs to be in C4 Tech/Perf.
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by vader86
Red top will work, just needs a slight modification to fit
Just need to cut off the top post so it doesn't rub gagainst anything and in the battery tray you will see too little tabs that need to be trimmed off.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,954
Likes: 2
From: Obama=death for America
From what I hear, the Optima is one hell of a battery. The next time mine goes, it is being replaced by an Optima. If cost isn't a factor, you probably can't do much better. It will last much longer than a regular battery, and can withstand the heat that a Vette engine puts outs without losing its strength.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,122
Likes: 1,725
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Originally Posted by jrscott
If I have to make these modifications is it worth the trouble and cost?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 16,950
Likes: 0
From: Stafford, Virginia Kittah, Kittah, Kittah...
Originally Posted by vader86
Yes, you act like its a major modification, its nothing.
I had on in my last 96 and it required either cutting off the top positive post to clear the cruise control bracket, or notching the cruise bracket to clear the positive post...
I did the later on my car so I wouldn't lose the warranty on the battery should it fail...
It also required cutting down the sides of the battery tray so the wider battery would fit... I was pretty much an all day job making it look and fit right...
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,961
Likes: 2
From: Fort Knox
There is a long thread in the car audio / electronics forum, where this post should of been made.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=977609
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=977609
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
I put a redtop Optima in my '96. Lasted 2 weeks then went dead. Wouldn't take a charge so I returned it to the store. They tested it and said it tested like something had happened internally and the side terminals weren't connect inside. They replaced it even tho I had cut off the top terminal for clearence. So far no other problems but am not convinced the Optima is such a great battery now.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 716
Likes: 0
From: Evansville IN
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
I'm convinced that you either get a good battery or a bad one. A lot of it has to do with the way they are handled. I won't buy one if it has sat on metal rollers or shelving. Concrete isn't good for them either.
I have bought a lot of batteries over the years. Had some that weren't any good from the start. Had others that were still going strong long after the warrany had ran out, they were replaced because of old age.
I heard the Optima is a good battery. Also heard they would make them for the C4's if there was enough of a market. So email, write or call them. Let them know we are out here waiting. I'll even buy one if they will make them.
I have bought a lot of batteries over the years. Had some that weren't any good from the start. Had others that were still going strong long after the warrany had ran out, they were replaced because of old age.
I heard the Optima is a good battery. Also heard they would make them for the C4's if there was enough of a market. So email, write or call them. Let them know we are out here waiting. I'll even buy one if they will make them.
Racer
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 366
Likes: 9
From: Austin TX
I thought I heard somewhere that Optima was thinking about releasing one with no top terminals because this issue comes up so much. Don't remember where I heard that though.. I swear, it wasen't just a dream. 
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 14,863
Likes: 0
From: In a pineapple under the sea.
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
CI 8-9-10 Veteran
I dunno guys...nothing against the Optima...I'm sure it's a good battery, but I've had Die Hards in all my cars (including my '94) for the last 25 years and never ever had a problem with them. I know it's all a matter of preference and I'm certainly no cheapskate by any means, but these Optimas are almost double in price.
If you have some exotic power requirements (e.g. a high drain stereo), I can see the need. But personally I'd rather spend the money on other things.
Just my $.02
If you have some exotic power requirements (e.g. a high drain stereo), I can see the need. But personally I'd rather spend the money on other things.
Just my $.02
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,470
Likes: 2
From: levittown pa. usa Even a bad day with my `Vette, is better than a good day at work
St. Jude Donor '10
Originally Posted by Lichen
Just buy an Interstate or Sears battery and it will need no modifications at all and are just as good a battery.
I had one in a Z28. cost was $100.00. It did not last any longer, or start the cat any better than the Delco that I replaced it with. It was prettier however.
