Side post Optima
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,247
Likes: 1
From: SHREVEPORT LA
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,304
Likes: 7
From: Kennewick,WA., USA
It was in place when I bought the car from Matt.
He did nothing to the bracket. It was too close to the positive term. for me. I removed the bracket and ground a very small u shape in it to clear the + term better. real simple. nothing done to the box or holder.
As far as a better battery.... Thats up to you. The Optima red top works for me. It sits from October till May. No charger on it, just the neg term pulled. Hook up in May and it fires up the Z for the last 6 + years and no cleaning of any acids. I'm sure the $300 and up batteries are nice but my cheap old Opty works.
He did nothing to the bracket. It was too close to the positive term. for me. I removed the bracket and ground a very small u shape in it to clear the + term better. real simple. nothing done to the box or holder.
As far as a better battery.... Thats up to you. The Optima red top works for me. It sits from October till May. No charger on it, just the neg term pulled. Hook up in May and it fires up the Z for the last 6 + years and no cleaning of any acids. I'm sure the $300 and up batteries are nice but my cheap old Opty works.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,413
Likes: 9
From: The Old Dominion
Has Optima introduced a new product?
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,247
Likes: 1
From: SHREVEPORT LA
The 'vette uses a group 75 battery. The only side-only Optima I've seen is a group 78. That is about an inch wider. For me, just the ridge on the edge of the AC replacement battery was enough to hit the gill panel. I don't think I could fit an extra inch of battery in there.
Has Optima introduced a new product?
Has Optima introduced a new product?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 16,291
Likes: 104
From: Sun city CA
This will be the 7th year for my reliable Optima... I have killed it a few times when leaving the V1 on or some other small miscue. I simply charged it back up and have never missed a start. Still using the original alternator to.
As far as the braket goes, I notched it. Then cut a piece of tubing lenth wise and zip tied it to the bracket as a precaution. I also left the protective cap on the battery to further create ground out protection just in case. To bad they weight 40 lbs a piece vs 34 for most other batteries... not that it really matters all that much.
As far as the braket goes, I notched it. Then cut a piece of tubing lenth wise and zip tied it to the bracket as a precaution. I also left the protective cap on the battery to further create ground out protection just in case. To bad they weight 40 lbs a piece vs 34 for most other batteries... not that it really matters all that much.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 14
From: Vacaville, CA
I have had two Optima batteries go south on me in as few as 6-months. I replaced them with the Ever Ready batteries that they sell at Sam's Club. One Ever Ready lasted only 10-months. I took it back to Sam's without the receipt and they were able to see both batteries on my account and gave me a new one no questions asked! I have had the second one for 4-months now with no issues. I feel that the Optima's are not worth the extra cost and they don't look so cool after they fail, won't take a charge and you have to pay to get rid of them! 
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Sedalia MO
I have tried the dual post and the side post and neither one would work without modifications to something... So took them both back and went with a standard battery!
Let me know if you find one that works!
Let me know if you find one that works!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 9,933
Likes: 103
From: Peoria Arizona.. Resident Gold Cylon
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,314
Likes: 508
From: South-central Missouri
What am I missing? The batteries in my cars are never a problem as long as they remain charged - the least of my worries. Oh, a couple times I accidentally drain one completely, and they never like that, but for $80 I'm good to go for another 5+ years.
I have those little 800mA Battery Tenders on them which keep them at 100% even thru the winter, and hooking them up - there is nothing to it.
Of all the things that come to mind as items that I would like to improve upon or modify, the battery isn't one of them. So, I gotz ta axe...What drove y'all to spending $300 to solve a problem that (for me) doesn't exist? (I may be sorry I "axed" dis...
)
P.
I have those little 800mA Battery Tenders on them which keep them at 100% even thru the winter, and hooking them up - there is nothing to it.
Of all the things that come to mind as items that I would like to improve upon or modify, the battery isn't one of them. So, I gotz ta axe...What drove y'all to spending $300 to solve a problem that (for me) doesn't exist? (I may be sorry I "axed" dis...
) P.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,497
Likes: 197
From: Mullica Hill New Jersey
What am I missing? The batteries in my cars are never a problem as long as they remain charged - the least of my worries. Oh, a couple times I accidentally drain one completely, and they never like that, but for $80 I'm good to go for another 5+ years.
I have those little 800mA Battery Tenders on them which keep them at 100% even thru the winter, and hooking them up - there is nothing to it.
Of all the things that come to mind as items that I would like to improve upon or modify, the battery isn't one of them. So, I gotz ta axe...What drove y'all to spending $300 to solve a problem that (for me) doesn't exist? (I may be sorry I "axed" dis...)
P.
I have those little 800mA Battery Tenders on them which keep them at 100% even thru the winter, and hooking them up - there is nothing to it.
Of all the things that come to mind as items that I would like to improve upon or modify, the battery isn't one of them. So, I gotz ta axe...What drove y'all to spending $300 to solve a problem that (for me) doesn't exist? (I may be sorry I "axed" dis...
) P.
100%!!!
Marty
1FUNZR1
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,413
Likes: 9
From: The Old Dominion
What am I missing? The batteries in my cars are never a problem as long as they remain charged - the least of my worries. Oh, a couple times I accidentally drain one completely, and they never like that, but for $80 I'm good to go for another 5+ years.
I have those little 800mA Battery Tenders on them which keep them at 100% even thru the winter, and hooking them up - there is nothing to it.
Of all the things that come to mind as items that I would like to improve upon or modify, the battery isn't one of them. So, I gotz ta axe...What drove y'all to spending $300 to solve a problem that (for me) doesn't exist? (I may be sorry I "axed" dis...)
P.
I have those little 800mA Battery Tenders on them which keep them at 100% even thru the winter, and hooking them up - there is nothing to it.
Of all the things that come to mind as items that I would like to improve upon or modify, the battery isn't one of them. So, I gotz ta axe...What drove y'all to spending $300 to solve a problem that (for me) doesn't exist? (I may be sorry I "axed" dis...
) P.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
Optima batteries in C4's
Hi,
I love my Optima batteries. Got one in my 87 and just put one in my wife's 90 ZR1. My 87 Vette Optima is 5 years old and has survived the 20 to 25 below of Northern VT winters without any issues. The only 2 small mods I had to make were the CC bracket slight notching and the removal of the 2 small plastic vertical strips in the battery tray. No big deal for not having to deal with leakage. The ZR1 has a critical area under the battery tray with the impact sensor for the drivers airbag as corrosion can cause problems with the ground connection at the sensor mounting point.
One more vote for Optima.
An aside, Our Volvo XC has an Optima and something shorted and totally drained the battery in 20 below weather. The batter was dead, dead, dead. I called Optima customer service and they were great as they talked me through bringing it back to life. It lived and is still working just fine.
I paid $ 89.95 for the Vette and Volvo Optimas at Costco 5 years age. My last Optima cost $ 129,95 just 2 weeks ago.
I cast my vote for the no leak Optimas
Don in VT
I love my Optima batteries. Got one in my 87 and just put one in my wife's 90 ZR1. My 87 Vette Optima is 5 years old and has survived the 20 to 25 below of Northern VT winters without any issues. The only 2 small mods I had to make were the CC bracket slight notching and the removal of the 2 small plastic vertical strips in the battery tray. No big deal for not having to deal with leakage. The ZR1 has a critical area under the battery tray with the impact sensor for the drivers airbag as corrosion can cause problems with the ground connection at the sensor mounting point.
One more vote for Optima.
An aside, Our Volvo XC has an Optima and something shorted and totally drained the battery in 20 below weather. The batter was dead, dead, dead. I called Optima customer service and they were great as they talked me through bringing it back to life. It lived and is still working just fine.
I paid $ 89.95 for the Vette and Volvo Optimas at Costco 5 years age. My last Optima cost $ 129,95 just 2 weeks ago.
I cast my vote for the no leak Optimas
Don in VT
