changed to the red optima but?????????
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 176
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From: machesney park IL
changed to the red optima but?????????
its to small of course to be bolted down with the rubber wedge gm has in there. What are the best options for mounting it? Not really into the billet plate and not much of a chrome guy. What are my options?
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I had the same problem with the Exide 60 I replaced my OE with. I recently added an acid absorption mat and that brought the battery up enough for the stock hold down clamp work as it should. I know you don't need the mat but for around four bucks it worked for me. 
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Not on either liberal coast.
Check with OPTIMA directly or one of their local distributors. I have a red top from COSTCO with the combination top and side terminals. It fits my '04 Z16 oem battery tray w/o any issues.
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...r011808010.jpg
There are some available optional brackets available that you might need if you purchased the incorrect battery for your application. They shown in this PDF file.
http://www.optimabatteries.com/_medi...s/adapters.pdf
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...r011808010.jpg
There are some available optional brackets available that you might need if you purchased the incorrect battery for your application. They shown in this PDF file.
http://www.optimabatteries.com/_medi...s/adapters.pdf
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 176
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From: machesney park IL
looks like it doesnt matter which red top you have the dimensions are the same according to optima. Mine has side mount terminals and the top mount but the car is side mount (does that make any sense) The second link by hotwheels looks like it might work for what i need
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Mine came with a adapter type of piece that snaps into the bottom so the wedge hold down works.
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I have a yellow top in my 03 and I asked for the adapter when I purchased it, go back to the shop you purchased it from and request one. I bought mine from a Batteries Plus retailer, they had plenty of adapters but I had to ask for it. 
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From: Holland Landing Ontario
I have a yellow top in mine that appears to be about the size of OEM. However yesterday at a car show, I saw a red top that is significantly smaller. I also think I read somewhere on the forum that there is a new smaller version of the Optima. Not sure.
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My red top bolted down just fine with the stock wedge. But then again, it is a 6+ year old battery and I believe they have changed the shape a bit since then. Try contacting Optima and see if they can send you a new wedge that will work.
Team Owner
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From: Lake Elsinore, CA
I have both versions - one in each of my C5's and both work with the stock hold-down although I have the Optima block for each of them. The first I requested from Optima and the second came with the battery when I bought it.
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Make sure you're getting the flange on the battery tucked in under the lip on the battery tray. I thought I had that problem at first with my old Red Top. I used the Optima Tray and never got a really tight fit. Once I realized how to fit it properly I found I could use the stock hold down without any trouble.
