battery
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,704
Likes: 239
From: Redondo Beach CA
Actually, 78's are the side mounts, 34's are the top mounts. They are typically sold with both sets of terminals as 78/34's. The first couple of years, they had 78's out of the factory. A couple years later, they changed to a 75 (a bit smaller) and finally a top mount version, I think only for '04.
The battery acid problem afflicted a number of OEM Delco's - my '98 Delco literally spilt its case and dumped its acid while driving along. All kinds of strange voltage readings and relay noises! Luckily I was about a mile from the dealer I had bought it from, so just rolled it on in there, being careful not to let it drop to an idle, otherwise no way to restart. It was replaced under warranty, but when I replaced the "replacement", I went AGM - Sears platinum, aka Odyssey Extreme, back when they first came out ('07 I think) which is still in there. Given that the PCM is under the battery area, I would not be enthusiastic about using an old style battery, having had one do its thing in the past, though both our other vehicles have had Walmart's Maax batteries, with no life issues at all.
The battery acid problem afflicted a number of OEM Delco's - my '98 Delco literally spilt its case and dumped its acid while driving along. All kinds of strange voltage readings and relay noises! Luckily I was about a mile from the dealer I had bought it from, so just rolled it on in there, being careful not to let it drop to an idle, otherwise no way to restart. It was replaced under warranty, but when I replaced the "replacement", I went AGM - Sears platinum, aka Odyssey Extreme, back when they first came out ('07 I think) which is still in there. Given that the PCM is under the battery area, I would not be enthusiastic about using an old style battery, having had one do its thing in the past, though both our other vehicles have had Walmart's Maax batteries, with no life issues at all.
I think you just killed my option of considering a conventional wet cell, to replace the one I have. The story of hearing the unusual relay noises as they said bye bye, and gauges going crazy is a situation I don't want to untangle or experience.
I was considering the Sears/Odyssey until I discovered it is now replaced by a gold version , which doesn't look odyssey sourced, but might still work out. . Ac delco has an agm for sale on the web, with some corvette user reviews, but the specs are a little off. Walmart is in play also.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 7,634
Likes: 326
From: Greenville SC
I have been buying Advance Gold/Titanium batteries for many years. They last 4-5 yrs or longer usually. Can usually get 20% off or more with the on-line coupons, and are normally in stock. I need to get a new one soon for the Z, and just got one for the 95. About $110 after core. Can usually go 5-6 weeks and still start.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 477
Likes: 48
I have been buying Advance Gold/Titanium batteries for many years. They last 4-5 yrs or longer usually. Can usually get 20% off or more with the on-line coupons, and are normally in stock. I need to get a new one soon for the Z, and just got one for the 95. About $110 after core. Can usually go 5-6 weeks and still start.
Their website states a group size 75 for a Corvette but I put a group size 78 in my 2002 and it fit fine. Has 800 cold cranking amps & 110 reserve capacity. I only drive mine on weekends so it does stay on a CTEK battery tender. A lot of electrical issues went away once I installed this battery.
Last edited by lonerider2002; Jul 22, 2017 at 09:39 PM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 14,137
Likes: 2,984
From: Iowa
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Their website states a group size 75 for a Corvette but I put a group size 78 in my 2002 and it fit fine. Has 800 cold cranking amps & 110 reserve capacity. I only drive mine on weekends so it does stay on a CTEK battery tender. A lot of electrical issues went away once I installed this battery.
).I needed top and side posts
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 691
From: West Virginia
Their website states a group size 75 for a Corvette but I put a group size 78 in my 2002 and it fit fine. Has 800 cold cranking amps & 110 reserve capacity. I only drive mine on weekends so it does stay on a CTEK battery tender. A lot of electrical issues went away once I installed this battery.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 691
From: West Virginia
I was considering the Sears/Odyssey until I discovered it is now replaced by a gold version , which doesn't look odyssey sourced, but might still work out. . Ac delco has an agm for sale on the web, with some corvette user reviews, but the specs are a little off. Walmart is in play also.
Interstate also does an AGM in the right size.
You can buy an Odyssey Extreme, but they are pricier and with less warranty coverage than Sears provided when they marketed than as Platinums.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,432
Likes: 74
From: KcMo.
2018 C5 of Year Winner
Diehard Platinum IS Odessey.
You need a maintainer whatever you get but I'd go with the Diehard platinum. Had a problem with one 6 years after owning and they replaced it for free.
You need a maintainer whatever you get but I'd go with the Diehard platinum. Had a problem with one 6 years after owning and they replaced it for free.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 249
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
My last Optima red top lasted 15 years. Actually lasted through a couple of Vettes. I bought another one when the time to replace came up, its working perfectly for two years so far.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 691
From: West Virginia
And maintainers are only needed if you plan to go long periods without use. My C5 is now 20 years old and I have never owned or needed a maintainer.
Last edited by jackthelad; Jul 24, 2017 at 09:41 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 904
Likes: 296
From: Sacramento, California
Steve
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Ive had two Optima red tops in my C5 in 18 years of ownership. The original Delco for two years, then added the first red top... the first one never gave me any issues in 8 years, but replaced it. I turned in an old lead battery and got a second red top for my C5, its been in there 7 years with no signs of an issue. I have an Optima red top in my wife's car 4 years , no issues. My original red top which is 16 years old still works as a bench battery for testing 12V circuits.