Finally time to change....
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,363
Likes: 1
From: Virginia Beach VA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Finally time to change....
the battery. The original battery in my 01 has finally given out, it is still alive but does not have enough juice to turn the car over.
Any suggestions in a new battery. I was thinking Optima, but I have read several posts about the red top compared to the yellow top.
But just any suggestions in battery in general.
Any suggestions in a new battery. I was thinking Optima, but I have read several posts about the red top compared to the yellow top.
But just any suggestions in battery in general.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 11,123
Likes: 673
From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
I went with the 'Optima Red Top' cause it's a gel battery and i was worried about the leak problem with AC Delco batteries which leak down onto the ECm right below the battery tray.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,363
Likes: 1
From: Virginia Beach VA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 855
Likes: 40
From: Liverpool NY
I went with a Sears Die Hard Platnium AGM deep cell because I let it sit sometimes for a few weeks between starts and I don't trust a battery tender. I also don't want another acid leak. It was expensive ~$190 but I have had great luck with Die Hards in all my other vehicles. One the few things besides tools that I still buy from Sears.
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
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,346
Likes: 5
From: Mustang OK
Optima Specs & Tech
AGM vs Gel Cell sealed lead acid batteries
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
This is one topic that always generates heated debate and I'm as bad as anyone
It depends on how you use the car.
All the latest batteries will be good. It was the old AC delcos that leaked but the latest ones have a redesigned case. I'd say if your car is a daily driver you can choose any battery and it'll be fine. The AGM batteries (Optimas) are good designs and will not leak (unless they are seriously abused) but are not tolearant if you let them discharge. This car has a tendency to do that. The Yellow Top will take more abuse than the Red Top as its a deep cycle battery. The downside is the Optimas are more expensive than standard lead acid types.
I've had both Red and Yellow Top and I have a Yellow Top in at present.
In any event, if the car is not used daily invest in a Battery Tender and you'll get many years out of whatever you choose.
Heres my thoughts on betteries. If you check the link I posted the spec for a replacement and the torque settings for tightening the battery leads.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...Battery+Thread
It depends on how you use the car.
All the latest batteries will be good. It was the old AC delcos that leaked but the latest ones have a redesigned case. I'd say if your car is a daily driver you can choose any battery and it'll be fine. The AGM batteries (Optimas) are good designs and will not leak (unless they are seriously abused) but are not tolearant if you let them discharge. This car has a tendency to do that. The Yellow Top will take more abuse than the Red Top as its a deep cycle battery. The downside is the Optimas are more expensive than standard lead acid types.
I've had both Red and Yellow Top and I have a Yellow Top in at present.
In any event, if the car is not used daily invest in a Battery Tender and you'll get many years out of whatever you choose.
Heres my thoughts on betteries. If you check the link I posted the spec for a replacement and the torque settings for tightening the battery leads.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...Battery+Thread
Last edited by DeeGee; Jul 9, 2008 at 01:29 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 27,567
Likes: 99
From: San Diego
My redtop has been in this C5 for quite a few years already and never let the owners down.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 15,324
Likes: 2,080
From: Guelph, Ontario
For those trying to decide between the Optima yellow top or red top, I checked their specs and the red top is almost 5 pounds lighter. So if weight savings is important to you, go with the red. The red also has better cold cranking amps too, if you drive in cold weather (like I do) then that might just be the difference between getting started on an extremely cold morning, or walking to work 
They sell the Optima red top at Walmart here but it's $190!
They do have a $25 mail in rebate right now though. But that's still a lot higher price than the Energizer car battery they sell there (which I currently have and am happy with so far) which is only about $70.
They sell the Optima red top at Walmart here but it's $190!
They do have a $25 mail in rebate right now though. But that's still a lot higher price than the Energizer car battery they sell there (which I currently have and am happy with so far) which is only about $70.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 19,724
Likes: 523
From: Ideals are peaceful...History is violent...St.Charles, MO.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'12 thru'22
Very happy with the Duralast battery from Autozone.Had an Optima
for awhile,I don't think it's worth the money IMO.
for awhile,I don't think it's worth the money IMO.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 34
From: King George Virginia
I went with a Sears Die Hard Platinum and I don't trust a battery tenders. It was expensive at $190 but I have had great luck with Die Hards and its guaranteed to not loose a charge for 2 + years just sitting. So if its not a DD and sits for a while you don't need a tender.
