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Old May 1, 2011 | 07:50 PM
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Default Need a new battery

i need too buy a new battery for my car, should i go to the dealership? Do i need a specific battery? any idea how much it will cost? thanks
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Old May 1, 2011 | 07:58 PM
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Why would you go to a dealership? Go to an auto parts store!
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Old May 1, 2011 | 08:26 PM
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I replaced my factory DELCO with a new one a few months ago. The CHEAPEST price I could find was at a GM dealership! Wow, couldn't believe it.

Anyway, paid about $96 for a new AC DELCO.

The factory installed DELCO lasted about 7 years.

..rickko..
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Old May 1, 2011 | 08:28 PM
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Costco Kirkland: about $63 - best bang for the buck!
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Old May 1, 2011 | 08:41 PM
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Originally Posted by rickko
I replaced my factory DELCO with a new one a few months ago. The CHEAPEST price I could find was at a GM dealership! Wow, couldn't believe it.

Anyway, paid about $96 for a new AC DELCO.

The factory installed DELCO lasted about 7 years.

..rickko..
I agree, I always go with the AC Delco replacement battery. I paid $88 for my 2004 last year.
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Old May 1, 2011 | 08:48 PM
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I just bought an Autocraft battery 1000 CA, 800 CCA, 115 RM from Advance Auto Parts for $66.99 with a $40 off online coupon. Their batteries are made by Johnson Controls who makes the batteries for Sears, Auto Zone, Walmart, Interstate, Kirkland and others.
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Old May 1, 2011 | 09:50 PM
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GM is suggesting AGM batteries now due to the acid issues of the lead/acid batteries
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Old May 1, 2011 | 10:51 PM
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There has not been any leaking issues since the lead acid battery cases were redesigned in 2004. I'd say leaks are essentially a dead issue.
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Old May 3, 2011 | 11:34 AM
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Default Sams Eveready 7 year guarantee 3 year free replacement

Still using the Sams battery which replaced the leaky Delco. Had to replace all the vacuum hoses and check valve and wash with baking soda from the Delco. No problems with the Sams club battery.
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Old May 3, 2011 | 11:55 AM
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Originally Posted by Dave68
There has not been any leaking issues since the lead acid battery cases were redesigned in 2004. I'd say leaks are essentially a dead issue.
I don't believe that's always the case... I picked up my FRC from a friend last fall and he had installed a new Bosch Premium battery (exclussively sold at Pep Boys) and I just had to replace it because it had leaked and made a mess of my battery tray, frame, PCM and other stuff in that area. I stepped up to an Optima Red Top.
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Old May 3, 2011 | 12:21 PM
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Here are two good links about batteries.

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

http://vettetube.com/view_video.php?...3c1a84ce5276e9
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Old May 3, 2011 | 12:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Dave68
There has not been any leaking issues since the lead acid battery cases were redesigned in 2004. I'd say leaks are essentially a dead issue.
They still leak.
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Old May 3, 2011 | 12:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Dave68
Costco Kirkland: about $63 - best bang for the buck!

That's what I did..
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Old May 3, 2011 | 01:19 PM
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Now the worries of "leakers" is over just get a battery that fits the spec
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Old May 3, 2011 | 01:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Dave68
There has not been any leaking issues since the lead acid battery cases were redesigned in 2004. I'd say leaks are essentially a dead issue.
Dave, we agree
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Old May 3, 2011 | 01:24 PM
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Yep go to costco or if that is not a optiopn use a Advance Auto Parts coupon
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Old May 4, 2011 | 08:45 AM
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Originally Posted by DeeGee


Now the worries of "leakers" is over just get a battery that fits the spec
what is the spec. for the battery

thanks
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Old May 4, 2011 | 08:59 AM
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Originally Posted by mre1974
I don't believe that's always the case... I picked up my FRC from a friend last fall and he had installed a new Bosch Premium battery (exclussively sold at Pep Boys) and I just had to replace it because it had leaked and made a mess of my battery tray, frame, PCM and other stuff in that area. I stepped up to an Optima Red Top.
Everyone has a battery story. Some from their fathers, uncles, friends or whatever. I bought my 2003 and when I read about leaking positive terminals, leaking or not, I called County Corvette and we installed a Optima Red Top and I've never had a problem since . I'm sure everyone insists on this type or that type just like the endless Motor oil treads here. I wanted a AGM battery and the Optima was just the ticket for me. But I must say I'm kinda neurotic when it comes to battery care. The car is always on a float charger like a Ctek or Voc Battery-minder when it's not in use. I'm not looking for an argument, it's just my way of taking care of a battery in a C5.
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Old May 4, 2011 | 09:38 AM
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I'm yet another fan of the Optima Red Top
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Old May 4, 2011 | 10:01 AM
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Originally Posted by killain
Everyone has a battery story. Some from their fathers, uncles, friends or whatever. I bought my 2003 and when I read about leaking positive terminals, leaking or not, I called County Corvette and we installed a Optima Red Top and I've never had a problem since . I'm sure everyone insists on this type or that type just like the endless Motor oil treads here. I wanted a AGM battery and the Optima was just the ticket for me. But I must say I'm kinda neurotic when it comes to battery care. The car is always on a float charger like a Ctek or Voc Battery-minder when it's not in use. I'm not looking for an argument, it's just my way of taking care of a battery in a C5.
The funny thing is that your 2003 came with an AGM battery from the factory! Many folks mistakenly swapped out their AC Delco AGM battery for an Optima during 2001-2003. Luckily, I noticed the AGM designation on my battery. It lasted more than 7 years.
Sometime before 2004 AC Delco switched to Johnson Controls to make their non-AGM batteries. Since then, I have seen more leaky Optima posts in this forum than I have leaky AC Delcos (2004 and newer). And the few other battery manufacturers who make non-AGM batteries have stregnthened their battery cases so that leaky terminals, while rare before, are now almost non-existant.
Guys, the leaky battery scare is long gone. Don't let an old ghost make you spend far more for a battery than you have to.
$63 for a Johnson Controls battery (Kirkland) is all you need to go 5+ years. Now if you are off-roading in a rail or dune buggy, an AGM battery is a no-brainer. Also, if you like run-flats, an AGM may make you feel good as well.

Dave, we agree
Dee Gee, I never thought I'd see the day!

Last edited by Dave68; May 4, 2011 at 10:05 AM.
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