hi folks, happy 4th to all . In need of new battery for my 2000 6sp coupe. Have the orig. A/C Delco. Have been told that the RED TOP Optima is a good choice. . Anyone out there in corvette land had any dealings with this battery and what are the details. thanks plunkman.

 

You just opened a can of worms....lol
There are a lot of great batterys out there. I myself use an Optima Red Top with no issues at all. The only thing about an Optima battery is if you don't drive your car daily you would be smart to buy a CTEK 3300 battery tender, Why you ask..... Because the C5 is known to be a battery draining son of a gun, The Optima's don't like to be drained and then recharged, If you do by chance lose your charge in your Optima there is a certain way it has to be charged.
If I was to lose my battery tomorrow I would buy another Optima.
Mr.Bill

 

I am using a Delco 78-7yr, no to low maintenance battery thats very stable.

 

I currently have an Optima Redtop. Previously I had a Autozone Duralast.
IF I were to do it again.... I would go to Walmart.... Their prices are low and their warranty one of the best.

 

I'd go to Walmart or Costco and buy the cheapest batttery made.

 

I ran my original Delco for 6 years on my 2004 vert with no problems. Living in Florida, I thought I better not test another hot summer, so I bought/installed a new Delco Professional 86, 7 year warranty battery. My thoughts was why go with an unknown when I know how well the AC Delco performs.

 

I have done this and it has worked out very well for me, but I do keep a float charger hooked up if the car is going to sit for ten days or more. Like in the winter or if I'm away on business. But I went with a Red Top cause I was afraid of AC Delco, leaking terminals problem, which I believe is done away with, but for the sake of the wiring harness and the PCM sitting directly under the battery, I'll stick with an Optima Red top. And I'm sure this thread will attact a lot of attention. All good Information for you to decide on a replacement battery with. Good luck !

 

For the C5, I like my Sears Die Hard Platinum battery ... it has plenty of power and a warranty that I understand and feel confident about.

As far as the Delco 7 year battery, I have no confidence in this one as I just replaced one on my dd Pontiac that went dead without any warning and was bulging at the sides after only 33m miles/4 years in Jersey. When I took it back to a Chevrolet dealer they looked at me like I had 3 heads when I asked about the 7 year warranty....can someone explain
how this warranty works, is it suppossed to be pro-rated or what. As usual, I got pissed at the dealer and wound up back at Sears for it's replacement.

Well, I'll answer my own question. GM really makes things complicated...If you buy a new GM car, which I did, that 7 year warranty sticker on your battery means @!#$. Your battery is covered under your bumper to bumper warranty, 3 or 4 years depending on the make of your car. On the other hand, if you buy a GM battery, replacement is n/c up to 50 months, and then it's pro-rated. Of course, breaking down in my own driveway with the Pontiac which was blocking the vette, turning the vette around in my garage, not easy, and trying to jump start, could not do with the lousy side posts, I had to call AAA for a jump. Riding across the street to the Chevy dealer with the motor running, I was not in the mood to give GM any more of my money that day for their 7 year battery.

 

Has higher CCA than the OEM Delco and hasn't given me trouble in 4 years. Get it yourself. Remove old battery and base, Mix up baking soda and water and thoroughly soak everywhere under the battery tray and the tray too. Wash with clear water from a garden hose.
Had the dreaded acid eaten vacuum lines from the old Delco. You might have an acid situation under your current battery.

 

I had a Red Top in my 98 coupe when I got rid of it and I had no trouble at all. I have the Delco in my 04 and it's been great.

 

 

Just get another Delco and a battery tender and call it a day - the Optima's are also heavier than stockers

Thanks,Matt

 

I don't use anything but AC Delco. Always had good service from them. I have gotten as many as 10 years on them.

 

I agree with RWS go to walmart get there best battery and keep a tender on it when your not driving it daily good luck

 

I've had a Red Top for 5+ years and it's still going strong. We do travel extensively in our RV so when the Vet sits for more than a week or so, I do utilize a battery tender. I'll buy another Red Top in the future.

 

What's wrong with going with the same one that just worked fine for 10 years?
Or go to Walmart.

 

dont forget to do the idle relearn otherwise your gas mileage will suck.

 

what?

 

With you having a 6 speed car, you might want to watch this video. Talks about batteries and how they affect the dreaded Column Lock issue.

Part 1

http://vettetube.com/view_video.php?...25f49408d959ca

Part 2

http://vettetube.com/view_video.php?...3c1a84ce5276e9

I put a DieHard in mine a year ago...I'm going to change mine out for the AC/Delco Professional 78-7. Just my .02

 

Unless Im missing something ? The relearn (after you disconnect the battery) will occurr absent any action on your part. if I remember correctly (only a 50/50 chance on that happening ) but the "not wot" table cant remember what its called (LMBT or something, I know it has Lean in the full name) is constantly updated by the car according to how you drive it to keep you within certain lean/rich parameters. Ive heard it takes about 40 miles or so, but dont recall anything you have to do other than drive the car.