Battery Replacement

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Apr 17, 2006 | 10:10 PM

First Vette 03C5

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 134

Likes: 0

From: Washington DC Metro Area

Battery Replacement

Hi,

Forgive the novice questions:

1. I am about to pull my original GM AGM ... is the Optima Red Top still the best choice?
2. What is the wrench size for the terminals and bracket the holds the battery down?
3. Occasioanlly the AGM batery would have small spots of acid (from charging?) Will the red top do that?

Thanks

Apr 18, 2006 | 12:12 AM

rws.1

Race Director

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 16,795

Likes: 62

From: Lake Havasu City, AZ

Also consider the Exide Orbital. $95 at Sam's Club.

The posts are 5/16th
The hold down is 13 mm

Apr 18, 2006 | 01:18 AM

GrayC5

Race Director

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 12,346

Likes: 5

From: Mustang OK

Quote:

Originally Posted by First Vette 03C5

3. Occasioanlly the AGM batery would have small spots of acid (from charging?) Will the red top do that?

Thanks

I've haven't noticed my AC-Delco AGM battery doing this. But, according to their respective web sites, the Optima Red Top and Yellow Top and the Exide Select Orbital® and Exide Select Orbital® XCD batteries are all absorbent glass mat (AGM) batteries as well.

I too have seen a number of excellent reviews on the Exide Select Orbital series of batteries. Sam's Club markets the Exide Select Orbital batteries under their NASCAR XLT line of batteries (XDT34 and XDT35).

Last edited by GrayC5; Apr 18, 2006 at 01:40 AM.

Apr 18, 2006 | 04:17 PM

Oldvetter

Le Mans Master

Joined: Feb 2002

Posts: 6,937

Likes: 21

From: Waldorf MD

I put in an Exide Select Orbital over 2 years ago, no problems. I have seen NO ACID. I thought battery terminals were 8 mm, probably same size as 5/16.

Apr 18, 2006 | 05:07 PM

Umrswimr

Team Owner

Joined: Apr 2001

Posts: 36,453

Likes: 2

From: Overwhelmed as one would be, placed in my position.... DFW, TX

St. Jude Donor '05

Both my cars now have Red Tops in them.

They cost more, but I'm sick of GD'ed POS GM batteries taking a crap on me.

Apr 18, 2006 | 06:15 PM

Dirty Howie

Team Owner

Joined: May 2004

Posts: 26,345

Likes: 232

From: SoCal

Quote:

Originally Posted by Umrswimr

Both my cars now have Red Tops in them.

They cost more, but I'm sick of GD'ed POS GM batteries taking a crap on me.

I have my original battery. 2004 (bought in 12/2003) with 65K miles on it.

I actually had a dream about it going dead......

But it seems to be working great

Apr 18, 2006 | 10:50 PM

Torqued84

Racer

Joined: May 2000

Posts: 415

Likes: 0

From: Fairfax, VA 22032

I'm no fan of Red Top. Mine died within 5 months, gave me all kinds of problems (headlights would turn on using twilight, but wouldn't pop up; everything on my radio would light up, HUD wouldn't remember last setting, etc.). I'm sure others have had great experiences with Red Top, just sharing mine.

Apr 18, 2006 | 11:38 PM

ricoZg

Burning Brakes

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 878

Likes: 1

From: Anaheim CA

When I got my Z a few weeks ago, the previous owner had installed an Optima Red Top. I'm satisfied with it, and it matches my frc's!

Mike G.

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Apr 18, 2006 | 11:39 PM

badbreg

Advanced

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 98

Likes: 0

From: Milan Michigan

I just purchased a red top and it comes with 3 year full replacement gaurantee.

Apr 19, 2006 | 07:17 AM

#10

BiggieBoy

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jun 2001

Posts: 3,123

Likes: 3

From: Orland Park Illinois

St. Jude Donor '06-'07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torqued84

I've had 3 of them (Red Tops) die in 4.5 years. I wouldn't have another one if ya gave it to me for free.

Apr 19, 2006 | 08:14 AM

#11

mrm1149

Le Mans Master

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 9,369

Likes: 4

From: Zephyrhills, Florida

St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13

I have a red top and it's been good to me. I keep a trickle charger on it when I'm not using the vette for a few days. From what I've read on here in the recent past, if I were to get another battery it probably would be an exide............

Apr 19, 2006 | 09:42 AM

#12

Bills03Coupe

Drifting

Joined: Apr 2004

Posts: 1,888

Likes: 21

From: Olathe, Kansas

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirty Howie

I have my original battery. 2004 (bought in 12/2003) with 65K miles on it.

I actually had a dream about it going dead......

But it seems to be working great

Howie, Don't trust it!! Mine went without ANY warning! I Drove it all morning, starting and stopping several times without incident. Then, after sitting in the garage for a few hours, it was COMPLETELY dead! I replaced it with an Exide Orbital, and all is well!

Apr 19, 2006 | 10:59 AM

#13

jrose7004

Team Owner

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 58,501

Likes: 1,827

From: Oklahoma City OK

C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019

I've had my Red Top for a year with no problems.

Apr 19, 2006 | 09:17 PM

#14

914eener

Pro

Joined: Mar 2002

Posts: 610

Likes: 1

From: Bluffton SC

I've used Optima red tops in my Vettes and Porsches since they came on the market...never had a problem out of any of them.

Apr 19, 2006 | 10:07 PM

#15

Torqued84

Racer

Joined: May 2000

Posts: 415

Likes: 0

From: Fairfax, VA 22032

If I could only find my receipt....

I'd take the 5 month Red Top back and buy and an Interstate or Exide.

Apr 19, 2006 | 10:44 PM

#16

phils C5 vette

Le Mans Master

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 8,004

Likes: 250

From: Tampa Fl

St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14

6 years and 2 month on my OEM. its a weekend car

I should replace it soom

Apr 19, 2006 | 11:06 PM

#17

Dave68

Race Director

Joined: Dec 2000

Posts: 19,304

Likes: 85

From: San Diego CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirty Howie

I have my original battery. 2004 (bought in 12/2003) with 65K miles on it.

I actually had a dream about it going dead......

But it seems to be working great

My 2001 battery is original as well (and still going strong). When it dies, I will probably go with the Exide Orbital; it has a much "beefier" case when compared to the Optimas.

Apr 19, 2006 | 11:14 PM

#18

CliffB-99

Melting Slicks

Joined: Aug 2000

Posts: 2,304

Likes: 154

From: Green Bay WI

I've had great results with the Yellow Top Optima - Deep Cycle battery.

Apr 20, 2006 | 08:01 AM

#19

BiggieBoy

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jun 2001

Posts: 3,123

Likes: 3

From: Orland Park Illinois

St. Jude Donor '06-'07

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrose7004

I've had my Red Top for a year with no problems.

Wait, give it some time. My 3 Optimas all lasted over a year before they "died." Good luck, nevertheless.

Apr 20, 2006 | 08:48 AM

#20

Dave1998

Safety Car

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 4,806

Likes: 70

From: Rochester MN

Sams has Exide Nascar batteries with 3 year replacement for $47. After
3 years, then prorated 4 more years. If it fails after3 years, get a new one at this price.

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