Best Battery ????
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,472
Likes: 0
From: Toronto ONTARIO
Best Battery ????
I believe it was the Optima?? looking to get the best battery i can. i no longer have an underdrive pulley so i can get full charge at idle.. i do have a sound system in the car.. just wanted to make sure i have an excellent battery for all the extras.. sound system.. dfi.. etc..
Red top yellow top?? any others ??
TIA
Red top yellow top?? any others ??
TIA
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 6,517
Likes: 1,304
From: Windermere FL
I know this will cause a passionate thead, but I have had very good luck with the Optima Red Top. Many people have had horrible luck with them. Perhaps this is one of those rare things that have worked out for me.
I used to go thru a battery every 18 months or so. But this red top optima is about 3 years old - an all time record. Maybe I had good luck because I relocated it from the engine compartment to the storage bin behind the pass seat. It was one of the few batteries that fit in there. I also love it because it is tottally sealed.
I used to go thru a battery every 18 months or so. But this red top optima is about 3 years old - an all time record. Maybe I had good luck because I relocated it from the engine compartment to the storage bin behind the pass seat. It was one of the few batteries that fit in there. I also love it because it is tottally sealed.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Optima
I personally see no advantage to it. Why pay twice the price and get less warranty. I say the best battery is the one that has the best warranty. They will ALL start your car. You don't need it for extra equipment, your alternator will have to take care of that or you will slowly lose charge, then it won't matter how many amp/hours you're packin'.
good luck
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good luck
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by DieL
i no longer have an underdrive pulley so i can get full charge at idle..
Before you invest in any Optima, read *THIS* thread.
A quality lead acid battery with a long warranty is like to give you the longest service. The serviceable (water can be added) batteries tolerate cycling somewhat better than the maintenance free models.
RACE ON!!!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,472
Likes: 0
From: Toronto ONTARIO
ok maybe not 'full' charge at idle .. but at least the stock amount that doesnt make my lights dim when stopping at lights. when i used to stop at lights my interior lights and healdlights and cluster all used to dim.. and when the stereo used to be on... it was like on off on off.. not literally but enough to annoy me big time.
was it hard to relocate the batteru to the compartment? thats a novel idea... think i might try it.
was it hard to relocate the batteru to the compartment? thats a novel idea... think i might try it.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,672
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
Even though I have had one in my Vette for 4 years now, I suggest you don't get an AC Delco Battery as the side posts are very weak and sometimes come loose and spill acid. There are only 3 companies that make all the batteries and one of them is not good. Who ever makes the AC Delco is not a good one, but only because of the side post problem. I don't like the Optima Battery because of the top posts that are too close to the frame. I shouldn't have to modify a $100 battery.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,098
Likes: 0
From: Plantation Fl
I have not had a need to buy a battery for my vette yet (I hope I didn't just jinx myself), but I always have bought the Sears Diehard Gold for my daily drivers and the last few that I had, has lasted me over 5 years. The one I currently have is going on 4 years now.
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,491
Likes: 6
From: Portland Oregon
I've been using Odysseys 925 battery in my car for several months now. No problems so far but we'll see how it works come winter. The batterys CCA is quite a bit lower than what the factory calls for but it does produce 925amps for the first 5 sec. of cranking. I bought this battery for two reasons; 1. It weighs 25lbs (15lbs less than the one I replaced) 2. Eventually I plan on relocating the battery to the rear storage compartment and the Odyssey battery fits perfectly (nearly 7in square). Currently I have the battery mounted in the stock location and it fits quite nicely with just a little trimming of the tray and a custom hold down. They also make larger versions if you need more juice. Only drawback I've found is they are a bit pricey.
Last edited by locobob; Aug 5, 2004 at 12:16 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Best battery
We do this thread at least once a month. Here goes. With so many C-4 owners having so much trouble with the Optima red top I went with
a Diehard Gold. Its cheaper, has a better warrantee and is eight pounds
lighter. The only thing of interest in the Optima is it has a great look.
a Diehard Gold. Its cheaper, has a better warrantee and is eight pounds
lighter. The only thing of interest in the Optima is it has a great look.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 0
From: Mobile AL
St. Jude Donor '05
Almost everyone has a horror story about a battery. Technology (maintenance free or whatever) is the same for all batteries, and, treated properly (posts not overtightened, not over or under charged, kept clean and full), they all last about the same amount of time and put out same voltage/current.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 634
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
Originally Posted by Strick
Even though I have had one in my Vette for 4 years now, I suggest you don't get an AC Delco Battery as the side posts are very weak and sometimes come loose and spill acid. There are only 3 companies that make all the batteries and one of them is not good. Who ever makes the AC Delco is not a good one, but only because of the side post problem. I don't like the Optima Battery because of the top posts that are too close to the frame. I shouldn't have to modify a $100 battery.
I replaced the Delco with a red top Optima. Mine came with caps on the top posts that are pretty thick and do not touch anything.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 276
Likes: 0
From: Springboro OH
Optima Red top for me. When I lived in AZ I found that Optima's seemed to last longer than any other battery. Everyone is different but for me its not about the fact that I can replace it for free its about starting when I need it to. Also if you are thinking about moving the battery to inside the car (similar to C-3's) you should definately go Optima - no acid no trouble.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 670
Likes: 1
From: charlotte nc
Originally Posted by CFI-EFI
You have an unusual alternator and/or pulley set up if you are getting full alternator output at idle.
Before you invest in any Optima, read *THIS* thread.
A quality lead acid battery with a long warranty is like to give you the longest service. The serviceable (water can be added) batteries tolerate cycling somewhat better than the maintenance free models.
RACE ON!!!
Before you invest in any Optima, read *THIS* thread.
A quality lead acid battery with a long warranty is like to give you the longest service. The serviceable (water can be added) batteries tolerate cycling somewhat better than the maintenance free models.
RACE ON!!!
