Same for me. 34/78DT FTW 
Battery Recommendations
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,422
Likes: 118
From: San Gabriel Valley California
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
There are several good batteries you will find guys advocating for.
Just know that C5 is famously hard on batteries, and needs a big, powerful battery! C5 will not 'like' a weak battery, at all !!!
Lots of CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) and reserve.
Buying a battery, for C5, is no place to try to scrimp on dollars, in my opinion.
Don
Pro
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 701
Likes: 32
You're gonna get 50 different answers , one battery can have a thousand positive reviews but there will always be 10 other people that say it's the biggest piece of **** ever made. I've got an Optima red top and it does great
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,522
Likes: 24,823
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Have had mixed results with the Optima Red Top: one lasted 7+ years and was still going strong when I sold the car. The last one lasted just slightly past the three year mark and left me stranded.
Replaced the last one with a Sears DieHard Platinum battery and it has been in there for five years with zero problems.
Replaced the last one with a Sears DieHard Platinum battery and it has been in there for five years with zero problems.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Service or warranty at any Sears nationwide
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Oxford NC
I had a red top in mine that lasted 11 years, just recently changed it out(worried about the age of it) and went back to an AC/Delco. I always hated the sight of opening up the hood and the first thing I saw was that 'red' top battery.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
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
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,051
Likes: 54
From: Raleigh NC
It really depends on what you want. On the one hand for me weight savings is more important then having a big battery. So I opted for the 16ish lbs Oddessy pc680 battery. It fits my needs perfectly and helped get my cars weight down to 3k lbs. But you cant have the car playing music while off very long and you cant let any lights stay on to long. I never do anyway.
On the other hand if you listen to a lot of music and are playing with your car while the motors not running a lot with all the doors open then you may need one of the bigger batteries. If that's the case Id go with some sort of deep cycle.
On the other hand if you listen to a lot of music and are playing with your car while the motors not running a lot with all the doors open then you may need one of the bigger batteries. If that's the case Id go with some sort of deep cycle.
Advanced
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 58
Likes: 2
FYI to everyone, in the recent years, Optima production has moved to Mexico. Take that as you will.
It seems most people are buying Optima for the reputation they had, however, it doesn't seem to be the case anymore.
I personally liked to purchase Costco batteries, which are made by Johnson Controls. Good warranty, great power ratings, and the best prices. However, these Kirkland batteries have now been discontinued and replaced by Interstate. No matter, Johnson Controls makes those as well. Only downside I see is a higher price.
It seems most people are buying Optima for the reputation they had, however, it doesn't seem to be the case anymore.
I personally liked to purchase Costco batteries, which are made by Johnson Controls. Good warranty, great power ratings, and the best prices. However, these Kirkland batteries have now been discontinued and replaced by Interstate. No matter, Johnson Controls makes those as well. Only downside I see is a higher price.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 159
Likes: 32
From: FL
I did a similar post today looking for battery suggestions. I just posted the below to my thread so I'll post it here too. Thanks, as always for the great comments...Bob/Bradenton, FL
-------
Just a final update on the battery selection. I just bought an Optima Yellow Top, D34-78 at Autozone for $227.99.
I did some quick spec reviewing and the Red Top is more of what's called a "Starting Battery". Thinner plates/windings to release the power very fast.
The Yellow Top batteries are more like Deep Cycle batteries, slow release but will withstand deeper discharges, which in my case, would be from some sort of parasitic load in the electrical system that over a two to four week period, will draw the battery down. Less chance of this hurting this particular battery than the Red Top.
Also, I went with the higher capacity D34-78 instead of the slightly less Cold Cranking Amps of the similar Yellow Top, D75-25.
So I'll be checking for that Para load very soon but will keep an eye on the battery voltage and keep a small charger on it from time to time.
Thanks for the good comments, and especially the links over to Battery Selection and Parasitic Load checking.
Bob/Bradenton, FL
-------
Just a final update on the battery selection. I just bought an Optima Yellow Top, D34-78 at Autozone for $227.99.
I did some quick spec reviewing and the Red Top is more of what's called a "Starting Battery". Thinner plates/windings to release the power very fast.
The Yellow Top batteries are more like Deep Cycle batteries, slow release but will withstand deeper discharges, which in my case, would be from some sort of parasitic load in the electrical system that over a two to four week period, will draw the battery down. Less chance of this hurting this particular battery than the Red Top.
Also, I went with the higher capacity D34-78 instead of the slightly less Cold Cranking Amps of the similar Yellow Top, D75-25.
So I'll be checking for that Para load very soon but will keep an eye on the battery voltage and keep a small charger on it from time to time.
Thanks for the good comments, and especially the links over to Battery Selection and Parasitic Load checking.
Bob/Bradenton, FL
