Just wanted to drop a note on my experience with installing two (2) Optima Red Top batteries today. Before doing so, I read all the threads I could on battery problems, etc. on here. Very informative. In doing so, I learned there is a major problem with the AC Delco batteries leaking so I took many of you forum members' advice and put a new Optima Red Top in my 2003 ZO6. What prompted the whole thing was my 2001 Coupe battery died because I haven't driven it in a while (understandable since the ZO6 has been my new toy the past2 months). Nonetheless, the battery went completely dead and wouldn't charge so I just pulled it.

One thing to mention, I never saw anyone mention possible downsides with disconnecting the battery and what it does to programming or memory modules in the C5. My dad warned me about this based on his experiences with a 2000 convertible and a 2003 convertible. So, I recommend anyone replacing a battery to purchase a "Computer Memory Saver." I found one at Autozone for $10. All it does is plug into the cigarette lighter of your vette then it has two red/black small ends to attach to a 12 volt battery. It then saves your stored memory items in the vette otherwise I am told they will be gone the second you disconnect the battery. I was afraid that might extend to dyno computer tune modifications as well so I didn't risk it. On the completely dead battery....it worked perfectly. Even though it was completely dead using the memory saver my radio presets were still there (the clock was already wrong so I don't know how it was affected). On the ZO6 it worked like a charm...nothing was lost.

Just my 2 cents...for you to make a nickel with if you desire. Hope this helps and thanks to each of you for the Optima info.

JDrew

 

I had my tuner install an Optima Red top when he was doing my headers and LS1-edit dynotune and I asked him if, in the future, the battery dies, will the LS1-edit settings disappear. He told me that the settings are flashed into the PCM and even if you disconnect the battery, they won't change. On the other hand, you have to be careful if your dealer ever updates your PCM since that can have a negative effect. In fact, when my battery was switched, I didn't lose any of my preset radio settings, memory seat settings, trip odometer readings, Dic settings , the only thing that happened was that the time on the radio was off. Maybe they used a memory saver like the one you suggested, yet the time was off by about an hour.

 

You won't loose any PCM programming by disconnecting your battery. I've had mine disconnected a number of times with no problems. The PCM is flashed and has a nonvolatile memory. In fact, I sent my PCM to pcmforless for reprogramming and sent back to me. Obviously, there was no power to it during the transition You may loose your memory and radio settings, but thats about it.

 

When I was installing my cold air intake mod, I had to disconnect the AGM battery, since I kept bumping into the hood, causing the light to come on. I left the battery disconnected overnight and was happy to discover that all the stereo memory settings were still there after reconnecting the battery.

Now this may not be the case with older C5s, but my 01 definitely did NOT require the memory saver device to keep the station settings intact.

 

JDrew,

Did you need special mountings? I remember reading that the battery is smaller than stock.

Thnks. Ed.

 

Optimas are very good batteries. I switched mine out about three years ago because I wanted to avoid the leaky battery problem. I think when I installed mine all I had to do was reset the radio.

 

Vettenvoice:

There are actually 2 different red tops I was surprised to learn. On is (going by memory) 990 CCA and slightly bigger and the other is something like 709 CCA and slightly smaller. I put the smaller one in my 2001 since I was planning on selling it and saved a whopping $20. Interestingly, the smaller one came with a red plastic crate shipping protector that sits on top of the post mounts. I used it to set my battery cover over making it all flush -- this was a pleasant remedy to the inconvenience of having top post mounts (some people cut off -- why i dont know) if you opt to use the side mounts. I put the larger batter (seriously it is just barely bigger) in my 2003 Z06. To answer you question, both came with a special mounting bracket to screw into the bottom that has a curved cutout that fits the contours of the round gray sell battery shape attaching it to the bottom of the battery compartment. Both fit nicely without any problems whatsoever. Neither move or shake so in my opinion, either the smaller red top of larger one will work depending on your preference of CCA output.

Hope that helps.

P.S. Most places throw away that red plastic shipping top so you have to ask for it. They didn't have any left for the larger battery so I am stuck not being able to use my current top battery cover until I can locate one. Also, make sure your battery has the little plastic bag attached to it -- it has the GM and FORD plastic mounts you need to make this battery stay snug and tightly mounted even though I am sure the GM one in the vette would work too without problems.