battery difference 2003 to 2004? help needed
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 750
Likes: 0
From: Orlando FL
battery difference 2003 to 2004? help needed
So, it's time for a new battery. I'm a bit perplexed, though, and hopeful others may have an idea here. Right now I'm leaning towards a red optima, and I found it surprising that the battery models for a 2004 vette (what I have) is different than what a 2003 would have. I wouldn't have honestly noticed, except when I was searching online inventory of the local auto parts store, they didn't show any optimas for the 2004, but when I checked for a 2003, they did.
Here's from the optima site on the 2004, indicating the model number and details (2 models, note that both say "top terminal"):
Now here's the optima website details on what is right for the 2003 year (four models, note they all say "dual terminal"):
So... my question is, is it worth and/or necessary to order the specific model called out on the site for my 2004 vette, or will the models for the 2003 year work? Did they by chance change the battery connections between the 2003 and 2004 model years such that the dual terminal ones wouldn't attach to the car cables properly?
-adrian
Here's from the optima site on the 2004, indicating the model number and details (2 models, note that both say "top terminal"):
25 (9025-160) RedTop®; Battery; Group 25; Cold Crank Amps 720; Crank Amps 910; Reserve Capacity 90; Ampere Hour 44; Top Terminal; L-9 5/16 in.; W-6 13/16 in.; H-7 5/8 in.; BOXED;
25 (8025-160) RedTop®; Battery; Group 25; Cold Crank Amps 720; Crank Amps 910; Reserve Capacity 90; Ampere Hour 44; Top Terminal; L-9 5/16 in.; W-6 13/16 in.; H-7 5/8 in.; UNBOXED;
25 (8025-160) RedTop®; Battery; Group 25; Cold Crank Amps 720; Crank Amps 910; Reserve Capacity 90; Ampere Hour 44; Top Terminal; L-9 5/16 in.; W-6 13/16 in.; H-7 5/8 in.; UNBOXED;
Now here's the optima website details on what is right for the 2003 year (four models, note they all say "dual terminal"):
75/25 (9022-091) RedTop®; Battery; Group 75/25; Cold Crank Amps 720; Crank Amps 910; Reserve Capacity 90; Ampere Hour 44; Dual Terminal; L-9 5/16 in.; W-6 13/16 in.; H-7 5/8 in.; BOXED;
75/25 (8022-091) RedTop®; Battery; Group 75/25; Cold Crank Amps 720; Crank Amps 910; Reserve Capacity 90; Ampere Hour 44; Dual Terminal; L-9 5/16 in.; W-6 13/16 in.; H-7 5/8 in.; UNBOXED;
D75/25 (9042-218) YellowTop®; Deep Cycle Battery; Grp. D75/25; Cold Crank Amp 650; Crank Amp 810; Reserve Capacity 98; Amp Hour 48; Dual Terminal; L-9 5/16 in.; W-6 13/16 in.; H-7 5/8 in.; BOXED;
D75/25 (8042-218) YellowTop®; Deep Cycle Battery; Grp. D75/25; Cold Crank Amp 650; Crank Amp 810; Reserve Capacity 98; Amp Hour 48; Dual Terminal; L-9 5/16 in.; W-6 13/16 in.; H-7 5/8 in.; UNBOXED;
75/25 (8022-091) RedTop®; Battery; Group 75/25; Cold Crank Amps 720; Crank Amps 910; Reserve Capacity 90; Ampere Hour 44; Dual Terminal; L-9 5/16 in.; W-6 13/16 in.; H-7 5/8 in.; UNBOXED;
D75/25 (9042-218) YellowTop®; Deep Cycle Battery; Grp. D75/25; Cold Crank Amp 650; Crank Amp 810; Reserve Capacity 98; Amp Hour 48; Dual Terminal; L-9 5/16 in.; W-6 13/16 in.; H-7 5/8 in.; BOXED;
D75/25 (8042-218) YellowTop®; Deep Cycle Battery; Grp. D75/25; Cold Crank Amp 650; Crank Amp 810; Reserve Capacity 98; Amp Hour 48; Dual Terminal; L-9 5/16 in.; W-6 13/16 in.; H-7 5/8 in.; UNBOXED;
-adrian
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
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In '03 - Corvette was still using the AGM (Absorbed Gas Mat) battery with side terminals. In '04, the battery was a top terminal conventional battery. The 75/35 will work because it has both side and top terminals. For an '04, you can simply straighten the cable ends and make it work on the 75/35....because the top terminals are a little further into the body of the battery and not right on the edge like the OEM battery.
This will restart the whole discussion about which battery is best.....and I won't even discuss it, personally. The 75/35 is 720 cold cranking amps, and will work find on your car.
This will restart the whole discussion about which battery is best.....and I won't even discuss it, personally. The 75/35 is 720 cold cranking amps, and will work find on your car.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 710
Likes: 1
From: Fremont (Livin' On The Fault Line!) CA
amen brother 
As blacksedan87 mentioned, the 75/35 will work just fine.
If you don't feel like bending the battery terminals, you can attach them at a 30 degree angle. I've had no issues in the two years that I've had my Redtop:
Larry
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but please research before you buy a battery. I've been perusing and posting on these forums for 7 years now and there has been an alarming trend of premature failures with Optima Redtops. Hopefully, their quality control has improved, but the current AGM king of all batteries is the Sears Platinum AGM - rated #1 byConsumer reports and being a brand new design, probably the most advanced of them all. At $180, though, it should be the best.
If you are not the type of person who HAS to have runflat tires, you might consider the latest AC Delco Professional battery. Its case has been significantly strengthened and I have not seen ANY posts describing leaks of any kind for the last three years. It carries the best free replacement warranty in the world at 50 months. The Sears Platinum is not far behind at 48 months. You can't go wrong with either one, but you WILL save $80 if you go with the AC Delco.
Good luck!
If you are not the type of person who HAS to have runflat tires, you might consider the latest AC Delco Professional battery. Its case has been significantly strengthened and I have not seen ANY posts describing leaks of any kind for the last three years. It carries the best free replacement warranty in the world at 50 months. The Sears Platinum is not far behind at 48 months. You can't go wrong with either one, but you WILL save $80 if you go with the AC Delco.
Good luck!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Dave 68 has the scoop on this subject!!!! 
My next batttery is the AC Delco Professional
My next batttery is the AC Delco Professional I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but please research before you buy a battery. I've been perusing and posting on these forums for 7 years now and there has been an alarming trend of premature failures with Optima Redtops. Hopefully, their quality control has improved, but the current AGM king of all batteries is the Sears Platinum AGM - rated #1 byConsumer reports and being a brand new design, probably the most advanced of them all. At $180, though, it should be the best.
If you are not the type of person who HAS to have runflat tires, you might consider the latest AC Delco Professional battery. Its case has been significantly strengthened and I have not seen ANY posts describing leaks of any kind for the last three years. It carries the best free replacement warranty in the world at 50 months. The Sears Platinum is not far behind at 48 months. You can't go wrong with either one, but you WILL save $80 if you go with the AC Delco.
Good luck!
If you are not the type of person who HAS to have runflat tires, you might consider the latest AC Delco Professional battery. Its case has been significantly strengthened and I have not seen ANY posts describing leaks of any kind for the last three years. It carries the best free replacement warranty in the world at 50 months. The Sears Platinum is not far behind at 48 months. You can't go wrong with either one, but you WILL save $80 if you go with the AC Delco.
Good luck!
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 102
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From: Delray Beach FL
All good info. I agree with Dave68. The battery on my '03 Z06 dropped dead on its second anniversary. Replaced under warranty with an AC Delco Pro 50 month 3 years ago and it is still going strong.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 750
Likes: 0
From: Orlando FL
Thanks everyone for the info. Considering the cost difference and similar warranty, I picked up an AC Delco Professional for $134. The red top was coming in at $149 if I went for the dual-post type the local stores had.
-adrian
-adrian
Last edited by Adrian-S; Dec 28, 2007 at 08:29 AM.
