I've been wanting to replace the battery in my FRC for most of the summer. I have an Optima redtop that is over 6 years old. I occasionally have a service traction control and active handling warnings on start up. I can shut the car off and restart and no codes. Since I'm not home much anymore it can be 2 weeks plus between startups. I have a 95 Impala SS that needs a battery and doesn't have the constant draw needs of the Vette so my old redtop will get to serve a little while longer.

I looked around locally and it seemed everything was very pricey, even store brand off brand AGM batteries were not enticing to me. I won't even consider a wet lead acid battery after having one leak all over my Titan truck. I decided on a Optima yellow top due to its 120RC rating and my satisfaction with the redtop. Locally they wanted $239.99 plue tax and a $22.00 core charge. I checked RockAuto but if they sell batteries I couldn't find them on the site. So I went to Amazon and one of their vendors had the yellowtop I needed for $188.00 and no shipping or core requirement.

The kicker was they were offering a $50.00 credit if you signed up for their Visa card. I don't like screwing around with my credit but the carrot they dangled was too good to pass up so I will be getting my new Yellowtop for $138.00 to my door. I think I will be a happy camper.

 

Sounds like a good deal to me.

 

Can anybody suggest other good brands that are the gel (rather than the ones where the acid can leak) in the $100-$125 range? I want to replace my AC Delco...I'm paranoid it's going to leak and cause expensive damage.

 

My yellow top lasted 12 years. I always hook up a Battery Tender if it's going to be more than a few days before I plan to drive my 2000 FRC.

 

When my Optima Red Top went south after about 37 months, I opted to go with a Sears DieHard Platinum - that was over six years ago and it has not given me any problems. I do keep it on a Battery Tender Plus when the car is in the garage. From what I can tell, Sears quit selling that particular battery but they do have a DieHard Gold that I would think is pretty good. Not sure what the price is on that one though - the DieHard Platinum was a bit over $200.

OP - Good luck with your Yellow Top - hope it lasts at least as long as your Red Top did.

 

This just opinion. Most any AGM battery is a better choice that a regular lead acid battery. Based on my local search you are going to be hard pressed to find anyones AGM battery in the $100-125.00 price range unless there is a big sale or major rebates in play. I saw a craiglist ad for a redtop for $100.00 but who are you going to go to if you have a problem, not for me.

 

Thanks for the information. So the AGM batteries are the "gel" batteries that don't leak? What should I expect to pay (just an estimate) and what are some good brands? I remember somebody on here talking about some battery sold at Costco that is really good...?

 

I like the yellow tops, I have one in both of my cars... I had a redtop in my daily and it took a crap after a year and a half... I also bought it through amazon and they just refunded me and said to keep it instead of having to go through the return process since it had a 3 year replacement warranty... amazon has great customer service so you should have nothing to worry about

 

Never heard of yellow top batteries (I always just bought Sears Diehard my entire life), but I looked and it says an adaptor may be needed. What is this battery "adaptor"? I definitely want to get a new battery to replace my AC Delco ASAP so there is no chance of it leaking. Is there a specific model of yellow top that is good for Corvettes? Or a good Sears Diehard that is even better? I'm open to any suggestions.

 

Same here, I've been running a Sears DieHard Platinum for a while now. AND, I tested the warrantee...got a brand new one and only paid the tax.

 

Before you install the Redtop in your Impala, have it load tested. A battery that is going south will make your alternator work harder. You'll think you're saving money on the battery but in reality, you could be looking at an alternator and a battery in the future. Better to replace a battery than the alternator, especially with new cars and their electronics. The electronics get to "know" the other components and don't like change.

 

Trouble is, Sears don't sell them any more - I have one, it's about 8 years old and still going fine. Sears sells a 'Gold" AGM battery, which I think I read is manufactured by Deka.

The Platinum was made by Odyssey, and you can buy the equivalent from them, but it's like a $300 battery. And their web site does not seem to include any warranty info.

 

OPTIMA REDTOP-

 

Some people will laugh but I recently picked up a group 78 at Walmart for $107 plus $5 core charge for my '03. They are made by Johnson Controls. A 5 year warranty can't be beat and there are stores everywhere if you need a replacement. I peeled the Max Start stickers off the battery so nobody knows.

 

I went with the Advance Platinum AGM 78 size.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ment-time.html

 

The price is great and I have a couple of them in other vehicles but I won't laugh. Neither will you if it takes a dump on your wiring harness below the battery position.

 

If you need the 78, which I do, even from them it's $270 and change.

 

My battery shorted itself a few months ago. I know from the stack of receipts from the previous owner, it was around 4 years old. 2 summers in 110 degree heat probably cooked it. I ended up buying another AC Delco Professional Silver. With the core, it was like $117 from the dealer. All of the local auto parts stores wanted the same or more for a generic brand, with less reserve capacity. I haven't heard any recent stores of them leaking. Although it was a well known issue with some of the factory supplied batteries. Of course if you have the money, AGM is best. I use them in my motorcycle.

 

What is a "78" and why do you need it rather than that battery?

 

78 is a size designation.