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Oct 10, 2005 | 12:17 PM

EHGVETTE

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 112

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From: ST. PETE FL.

New Battery Time

it's time to replace the battery 2000 C5. delco or optima???
ant suggestions.delco78p-7yr or optima 34/78
thanks

Last edited by EHGVETTE; Oct 10, 2005 at 12:18 PM. Reason: additional question

Oct 10, 2005 | 12:21 PM

landl

Racer

Joined: Jun 2003

Posts: 303

Likes: 1

From: Portland, Oregon . To err is human, to forgive is NOT company policy

optima red top

Oct 10, 2005 | 01:25 PM

Mitch C

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jun 2001

Posts: 2,743

Likes: 3

From: Davie Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by landl

optima red top

Oct 10, 2005 | 03:31 PM

ebubman

Melting Slicks

Joined: May 2005

Posts: 2,549

Likes: 0

From: MDT

many, many, many folks here recommend the optima red top. i'll likely go that route when we need one. bub

Oct 10, 2005 | 04:35 PM

BiggieBoy

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jun 2001

Posts: 3,123

Likes: 3

From: Orland Park Illinois

St. Jude Donor '06-'07

Go w/ the Delco.

I wouldn't have an Optima if you gave it to me.

Oct 10, 2005 | 05:25 PM

GUSTO14

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 8,812

Likes: 2,029

From: eastern NC

Quote:

Originally Posted by EHGVETTE

it's time to replace the battery 2000 C5. delco or optima???
any suggestions.delco78p-7yr or optima 34/78
thanks

Another option is the Orbital, by Exide. It's a pretty conventional looking battery and costs about the same as an Optima.

GUSTO

Oct 10, 2005 | 06:29 PM

ZO6vettepilot

Pro

Joined: Mar 2002

Posts: 632

Likes: 0

From: Enterprise AL

Quote:

Originally Posted by EHGVETTE

it's time to replace the battery 2000 C5. delco or optima???
ant suggestions.delco78p-7yr or optima 34/78
thanks

I just replaced my Delco with another Delco, my bad for letting it sit all summer connected while we traveled from April until September, and not on a trickle charger. The cost was prorated, so I didn't have to pay full price. Many will say the Optima is a much better battery, and it could very well be. I just like the Delco brand, and the warranty helps prorate the cost for a replacement.

The Sears DieHard has an impressive warranty, and those are also good batteries.

zo6vettepilot

Oct 10, 2005 | 08:40 PM

LB04CE

Race Director

Joined: Apr 2005

Posts: 10,187

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From: Western KY.

Red Top

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Oct 11, 2005 | 10:26 AM

Dave68

Race Director

Joined: Dec 2000

Posts: 19,304

Likes: 85

From: San Diego CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by GUSTO14

Another option is the Orbital, by Exide. It's a pretty conventional looking battery and costs about the same as an Optima.

GUSTO

AC Delco is generally a solid performer (my OEM is now 4.5 years old and still running strong). Optimas have been failing more often than I'd like to see (here on the forum), so I'd tend to shy away from them for now.

Oct 11, 2005 | 10:34 AM

#10

'95 JWG

Intermediate

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 27

Likes: 0

From: Bloomfield IN

I've had 2 red tops. One blew up-one won't take a charge. No more for me. Jess

Oct 11, 2005 | 10:46 AM

#11

jrose7004

Team Owner

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 58,489

Likes: 1,810

From: Oklahoma City OK

C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019

Get a Red Top and be done with it!

Oct 11, 2005 | 11:06 AM

#12

SGT. PYLE

Burning Brakes

Joined: Apr 2005

Posts: 753

Likes: 1

From: Oceanside CA

I have heard very good things about the Optima Red Top and I have also heard horror stories about it. I dont know what to believe.

Oct 11, 2005 | 11:09 AM

#13

RainJ

Safety Car

Joined: Apr 2003

Posts: 3,968

Likes: 0

From: Biloxi MS Theres something happenin' here, What it is ain't exactly clear.....

Another vote for the Red Top -

(and for those who would not have an Optima battery.... )
Why not?

Oct 11, 2005 | 09:39 PM

#14

LoneStarFRC

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

Optima Red Top 34/78. Almost two years and no problems at all (including no leaks).

Oct 11, 2005 | 09:44 PM

#15

masterchiefbt

Intermediate

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 36

Likes: 0

From: Tyler Texas

Just bought a NAPA Legend Professional Gold with 775 cca. My old delco was either a 500 or 550 cca. Not sure if the Delco is really undersized for the Vette. So far so good with the NAPA...Was about $65 out the door.

Oct 11, 2005 | 10:50 PM

#16

az57chevy

Pro

Joined: May 2005

Posts: 592

Likes: 17

From: Tempe AZ

Red top at Costco for under $100 and the first two years tehy replace outright and then prorate for follwoing three years

Oct 18, 2005 | 08:27 PM

#17

ILM-Express

MFIC

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 1,997

Likes: 14

From: Charlotte, North Carolina

Orbital

I have the Orbital on my 99 with no problems, I replaced a DELCO that was giving me a lot of problems.

The best price for the Orbital is SAMS, I bought mine at NAPA and paid the high price of $126

Oz

Quote:

Originally Posted by GUSTO14

Another option is the Orbital, by Exide. It's a pretty conventional looking battery and costs about the same as an Optima.

GUSTO

Oct 18, 2005 | 09:14 PM

#18

RonJ

Burning Brakes

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 1,106

Likes: 1

From: Foresters Falls(near Ottawa) Ont

The original battery in my 01 just gave up, no warning at all, seems something may have gone open circuit in the battery. Wouldn't even budge the gauges!!! This is after stopping and starting a few times in town. 30,000 miles on it.

Replaced it with an Optima Red Top, 35/75, CCA 720

Paid $160CDN with taxes at my local Walmart.

RonJ ...

Oct 18, 2005 | 09:45 PM

#19

rws.1

Race Director

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 16,795

Likes: 62

From: Lake Havasu City, AZ

I went to Sam's today and they claim they don't carry and can't order the Orbital. they do have the gel mat marine version (Stowaway) for $129.

Oct 18, 2005 | 11:20 PM

#20

EHS

Race Director

Joined: May 2000

Posts: 14,542

Likes: 5

I have had an Optima Red Top for about two years without any problems.

But too many scare stories out there; I'd buy on of the other "no-leak" brands next time.

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