Dude, your nose is growing 
Optima Battery - $148!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,417
Likes: 2
From: Annapolis MD
After an entire day's worth of research, the Exide Orbital (ORB78DT-84) is the best battery to go with. I tried finding the stock replacement AC Delco 75P-7YR for the Z06 but GM has discontinued this model. It was lighter weight and absorbant glass mat (AGM)=no leaks.
People often assume the Optimas are a gel cell type battery. They are, in fact, a lead-acid with a spiral core which CAN leak. With a PCM and vaccuum lines directly under the battery tray, I would definitely not cut corners on the battery.
The Exide Orbital is a combination AGM/lead acid with 770 CCA, only 3 lbs. heavier than my stock Z06 battery, and is completely leak-proof. It's also cheaper than a Red Top.
People often assume the Optimas are a gel cell type battery. They are, in fact, a lead-acid with a spiral core which CAN leak. With a PCM and vaccuum lines directly under the battery tray, I would definitely not cut corners on the battery.
The Exide Orbital is a combination AGM/lead acid with 770 CCA, only 3 lbs. heavier than my stock Z06 battery, and is completely leak-proof. It's also cheaper than a Red Top.
We have a winner!! My research yielded the same result. If you call NAPA, mostly they haven't heard of "Exide." They know it as just an Orbital battery. All their other batteries are some other brand (can't remember which). The NAPA guy was suprised when I showed him that Exide was the manufacturer listed on the back of the Orbital. In fact, if I hadn't called Exide first to find out who carries them, I would have believed the 3 NAPAs I called when they said they don't carry Exide batteries.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 55,394
Likes: 1
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 46,766
Likes: 5
From: Boynton Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '07-'12, '20
My Optima is going on 3 years now.
It sits for weeks 3-4 on average, I use the battery tender once a week (only when i'm home to watch it) Knock wood man, never a problem 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,279
Likes: 3
From: Fallbrook Califronia
Exide used to make really poor batteries. Many years ago, I can't rember when, Orbital Science bought Exide. Orbital Science makes satalite and space componets and greatly improved the quality of the Exide batteries. They are now first rate.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 55,394
Likes: 1
Norris had it 2 years ago for like 4 weeks 
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 838
Likes: 0
From: Illinois/Ca
As soon as I bought my car I replaced the Delco with a new red top and never regretted it. Car sits for winter storage 4 1/2 months and starts in April on the first try. Bought mine at Sears for $129
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 295
Likes: 0
From: Kennesaw Ga.
I don't know why anyone ever asks a question here? it seems alot of people just jump in and tear it up, bitch, moan, and complain. Sure different strokes for different fokes, but lets be nice and most of all be helpful.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,369
Likes: 24,790
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
If that is for the Red Top, wow. I paid $109 for mine but that was five and a half years ago.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 55,394
Likes: 1
Ya, I paid about the same price in late 2001 when I had my car down at the Lingenfelter sister shop, 21stcenturymusclecars, in Carrolton Texas.
So I figured it may have gone up a few bucks but $148 dropped me
Mine lasted 5.75 years. Not bad. But others have done alot of complaining about them. A local buddy of mine who has a blue Z06 and who has made it into a roadcourse track car got rid of the optim because it would never start after the car sat for a couple of weeks. He didnt drive her much because it was a track car
(they were out of the red tops)
Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 648
Likes: 0
From: Covina CA
I've used Optima Batteries for years. I haven't found them to be any better or worse than any other battery. Like everything else in this world, prices have gone up. I just bought a yellow top D34/78 and it was $172 the Red top 34/78 runs about $155.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8,222
Likes: 0
From: Norfolk VA
yes, when I left the US for Europe in 03, I paid right at $100 for one. AAFES had them for $110 in Germany. When I got back in December, i went to buy one in the Tahoe I had just picked up and they were $140-$150 everywhere I looked 
so i didn't buy one. The next day I went out and the POS delco that came with the Tahoe was dead so I ended up borrowing my mom's car to go to the store and buy one anyways.
Optima has started my car every time. Delco has left me stranded in every car I've had with one.
so i didn't buy one. The next day I went out and the POS delco that came with the Tahoe was dead so I ended up borrowing my mom's car to go to the store and buy one anyways.Optima has started my car every time. Delco has left me stranded in every car I've had with one.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
yes, when I left the US for Europe in 03, I paid right at $100 for one. AAFES had them for $110 in Germany. When I got back in December, i went to buy one in the Tahoe I had just picked up and they were $140-$150 everywhere I looked so i didn't buy one. The next day I went out and the POS delco that came with the Tahoe was dead so I ended up borrowing my mom's car to go to the store and buy one anyways.
Optima has started my car every time. Delco has left me stranded in every car I've had with one.
so i didn't buy one. The next day I went out and the POS delco that came with the Tahoe was dead so I ended up borrowing my mom's car to go to the store and buy one anyways.Optima has started my car every time. Delco has left me stranded in every car I've had with one.
Hope you're not missing the Autobahn too much
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5,761
Likes: 1
From: Irvine CA
Im on my third optima on my other turbo car. When it gets discharged, there is really no way I could revive the battery. To me it's weird.
Im exchanging mine in Costco and will get a lesser but more reliable brand.
I used to love Optima but it let me down a few times.
Im exchanging mine in Costco and will get a lesser but more reliable brand.
I used to love Optima but it let me down a few times.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 3,452
Likes: 3
From: Spring, TX
My first Red Top lasted only a few months. The replacement lasted a little less than 4 years. My car is currently sitting dead in the garage with the offending Red Top pulled. Will be buying a new battery, not Optima, this weekend.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 3,452
Likes: 3
From: Spring, TX
Yeah mine was the same way it worked fine then the car sat long enough for the battery to discharge. Now it will not hold a charge at all.