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As one of the C5 owners who had their OEM Delco split and dump its acid everywhere, I admit to being biased against them - and non AGM batteries in general.
Thx for your insight everyone. I’m probably just gonna go with the Optima RedTop AGM. 75 size. And throw it on the battery tender when I know it’s gonna sit for a week or so.
A week? My 12 year old Platinum starts my C5 quite happily after it's sat for a month or so. I think I have charged it 3 times in total since Thanksgiving. Unusual for me, as I usually drive it through the winter, but our new "other" car is so much nicer in cold weather - heated steering wheel, heated seats and AWD. What's not to like?
Last edited by jackthelad; Mar 20, 2019 at 07:48 PM.
I went to a C5 seminar at Carlisle last year by Paul Koerner(The Corvette Mechanic) where he discussed all the quirks the C5 can have due to low voltage at startup (pull key/10 seconds, ect..). He highly recommended the AC Delco 78PSHR due to its higher reserve capacity. I had to order it at a Chevy dealership. No one had ever heard of it. I checked its numbers against the battery that the dealership usually suggested for C5's and the 78PSHR numbers were higher. Interstate didn't even make a comparable battery. I haven't had it in long enough to comment one way or another but Paul Koerner is a Corvette genius so I expect favorable results.
Another recommendation for the AutoCraft Platinum AGM Battery. I have had this one in my C5 for about 3.5 years now. When ever I am not using my C5, the battery is on my Battery Tender.
Last edited by Mike98SilVert; Mar 23, 2019 at 09:36 PM.
So... For a new battery I go to the Chevy dealer in my area that employs two techs with Corvette specific training, so the dealer says, ... I don't specify a particular brand of battery, I ask for the best battery for the C5 Corvette... The dealer installs the standard Corvette C5 AC Delco side terminal unit... The price was fair I felt... under 200 bucks.. Question?... It wasn't a Optima, Duralast, Diehard, Interstate, just a plain ol AC Delco from the Chevy dealer... Did I screw up?
I've used a few AC Delcos from the dealer. I haven't read any accounts of newer models leaking. My issue with them, is they just don't seem to last. One died 2 years after purchase, and the replacement died a year later. Luckily still under warranty.
I've stuck with the AC Delco 86PG Gold Battery for my last 3 batteries. I live in FL and swap them every 3.5 years regardless of performance as FL batteries tend to die overnight. I also have aftermarket audio and HID lighting kits. I looked at the Red Top series but feel as though if it's not broke, no need to fix it. Original owner of 2004 vert.
I got the Optima red top AGM coming today. I would have replaced it with just a regular battery. But being that the pcm and main wire harness is right under the battery. AGM battery is a must in my opinion. Got it for a good deal too. Advanced Auto Parts. $232.99 original price. 20% off online code. Took $50 bux off right away !!! Free 2 day shipping. Then I’ll get another $5 bux back when I return my old battery to the store near me. So total is $199. With taxes and everything. Waiting on the UPS truck now.
Last edited by OUTAKTRL; Mar 23, 2019 at 12:33 PM.
Reason: Mistake
Just changed out the battery in my '03 Coupe that mostly sat under a carport for the two and a half years and 4600 miles before I bought it. Last new battery of record was Jan 2014 at 125 dollar at a Goodyear place in Fort Worth, Tx at 99,465 miles on the car.
I all of a sudden started getting false readout on the DIC at 133K miles plus on the ometer so the car didn't sit as had been before me in Mar of 3017. Plus I kept it on a Battery Tender when not used for a week or so of bad weather or maintenance.
So getting home that afternoon, I'm thinking I'll check out the problem in the morning. Checking codes and showed at code on the TC but no numbers. Went to start the car and zero. Dead. Charged it up with my big charger to get the car started to check voltage output and it was good in the 14V area.
So , check for replacement local via internet for C5 Corvette. Closest was a place I use often for maintenance items for all my STUFF.
New Durolast battery from Auto Zone for 172 bucks solved all issues.
