Best Replacement Battery??
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,841
Likes: 19
From: CLT, North Carolina
Best Replacement Battery??
What do you recommend to replace a failing battery; new Delco Remy or one of the gel types? Did the later C5's have a Delco gel type battery?
Thanks, Greg
Thanks, Greg
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
A number of people report failure of the Delco batteries due to separation of the terminal from the battery.
Others have been given the run around by Interstate on honoring the warranty.
Some of the most recent favorable posts have been on Walmart... Great price and no hassle warranty.
Others have been given the run around by Interstate on honoring the warranty.
Some of the most recent favorable posts have been on Walmart... Great price and no hassle warranty.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
Likes: 270
From: Kingman AZ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I recently replaced mine with a NAPA product. Good warranty, exact fit and the price was around $70. This was their heavy-duty model. The only difference between this and the more expensive one was the length of the warranty.
I lked it because it only had the side mount. The last one that the previous owner installed had dual mounts and I was always worried about the top mounts hitting something or something hitting them and arcing. I had those plastic protectors on top of them but still did not like it.
I lked it because it only had the side mount. The last one that the previous owner installed had dual mounts and I was always worried about the top mounts hitting something or something hitting them and arcing. I had those plastic protectors on top of them but still did not like it.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 239
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
As much as I hate to say it Corvettes from my aspect are bad on eating up batteries. All three of Corvettes have had atleast one battery change when in two weeks of me owning them. If you go down to your local parts store ask for a red top battery (optima) I promise you will never want to buy another battery!
Race Director
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 14,924
Likes: 9
From: Merritt Ils Fl
Originally Posted by Aquaman92
I have a interstate battery works fine,The Optima Gel cell does not make a battery as far as I know that fits a C4 without being modified. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,146
Likes: 3
From: The Motor City
Originally Posted by Greg Gore
What do you recommend to replace a failing battery; new Delco Remy or one of the gel types? Did the later C5's have a Delco gel type battery?
Thanks, Greg
Thanks, Greg
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,479
Likes: 0
From: Ponte Vedra
Originally Posted by Muffin
I have seen this stated more than once. I must have done something cause my Optima went right in without a problem. Ignorance is bliss.
Last edited by Aquaman92; May 19, 2005 at 09:09 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 783
Likes: 2
From: Wake Forest, NC
St. Jude Donor '05
I believe I'm probably running the same battery as corvetteronw - Napa with side posts (no tops) with a good warranty and it was around $70. I put it in last year.
Didn't drive the car much over the winter and, in my opinion, it died quickly even with no use... but I hooked a trickle charger to it and it's been fine ever since...
Didn't drive the car much over the winter and, in my opinion, it died quickly even with no use... but I hooked a trickle charger to it and it's been fine ever since...
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 424
Likes: 81
From: France
2022 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
What model Optima Battery fits in a C4? I have a 1996 LT4 and I want to fit a red top or yellow top (have a yellow top in my C5).
Please let me know as I want to buy one this week.
Please let me know as I want to buy one this week.
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
I haven't bought my Optima yet, but someone somewhere was spreading a rumor thatthey were making a sidepost only one soon, si that's the one I'm waiting for.
Currently I have NAPA Gold(which is almost due for replacement)in my '95 and in my '93 I have an Exide/NAPA gel battery that is similar to the Optima. You need to cut the top post off any battery that has both kinds to clear the PCM bracket(or cruise control depending onthe year). Also, you have to trim two itty bitty tabs in the battery tray. That's it.
Just stay away from the AC Delco battery.
Currently I have NAPA Gold(which is almost due for replacement)in my '95 and in my '93 I have an Exide/NAPA gel battery that is similar to the Optima. You need to cut the top post off any battery that has both kinds to clear the PCM bracket(or cruise control depending onthe year). Also, you have to trim two itty bitty tabs in the battery tray. That's it.
Just stay away from the AC Delco battery.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From: Macomb MI
Can't answer about Optima, but run, do not walk, as fast as you can get away from INTERSTATE. Their Johnson Control batteries are likely the same as Die Hard, but INTRESTATE's customer service is horrid. See this CF link.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1031134
Jim
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1031134
Jim
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From: Macomb MI
Anything but INTERSTATE. Horrid Customer Service. See this CF thread.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1031134
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1031134
Racer
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 366
Likes: 9
From: Austin TX
Originally Posted by Mr Mojo
I haven't bought my Optima yet, but someone somewhere was spreading a rumor thatthey were making a sidepost only one soon, si that's the one I'm waiting for.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
All the batteries seem to be relabeled crap.
I buy whatever has the best warranty. Sears is nice, because exchange is so easy there.
I think a deepcycle battery is a poor application for a car.
I buy whatever has the best warranty. Sears is nice, because exchange is so easy there.
I think a deepcycle battery is a poor application for a car.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Originally Posted by Mr Mojo
I haven't bought my Optima yet, but someone somewhere was spreading a rumor thatthey were making a sidepost only one soon, si that's the one I'm waiting for.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,858
Likes: 2
http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/batbrand.htm
The above link is an eye-opener as far as who makes what brand batteries. Lot of the name brands are made by a couple few large manufacturers such as Johnson Controls.
I just replaced a NAPA 75 month battery with a Duralast Gold. Yeah, I know. But The Duralast is made by Johnson Controls and they make a variety of brands including the Diehard, so I figure it's okay.
I only replaced the NAPA due to age (preventative maintenance), no symptoms yet, but it was installed in the car by the prev owner in 2001, and I don't trust batteries past 3 or 4 yrs regardless of purported "warranty".
The above link is an eye-opener as far as who makes what brand batteries. Lot of the name brands are made by a couple few large manufacturers such as Johnson Controls.
I just replaced a NAPA 75 month battery with a Duralast Gold. Yeah, I know. But The Duralast is made by Johnson Controls and they make a variety of brands including the Diehard, so I figure it's okay.
I only replaced the NAPA due to age (preventative maintenance), no symptoms yet, but it was installed in the car by the prev owner in 2001, and I don't trust batteries past 3 or 4 yrs regardless of purported "warranty".
