Best battery for C5
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: Nashua NH
Best battery for C5
What is you opinion on the best battery for my C5. Orig battery in my 2000 must be close to passing away so I wanted to replace it. I've heard Optima's were starting to fail. What do you think I should get?.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,096
Likes: 153
From: "Atlanta" Ga.
Any Batery can fail, even if your optima failed it would not leak all over you PCM. That is a major plus to me 
I just put a yellow top 35/75 into my 2004. I choose yellow because it is not a daily driver. It has worked lilke a champ. (Yellow are deep cycle batterys)
I have had a red top in my wifes car for several years, its still running strong. And that car sits outside in the heat all summer.
Last suggestion a Battery Tender Plus, great little charger and will keep any battery healthy.
I had a hard time finding the smaller Yellow top, but did for 109.95
Costco Sell the Red tops and yellow top 479/75 (?). The red top is 100.00 and the bigger yellow is 149.99. I did not want the bigger yellow because it wieghs more and I don't have any major electrical mods i.e stero with amps etc.
Cheers, Gonzo
I just put a yellow top 35/75 into my 2004. I choose yellow because it is not a daily driver. It has worked lilke a champ. (Yellow are deep cycle batterys)
I have had a red top in my wifes car for several years, its still running strong. And that car sits outside in the heat all summer.
Last suggestion a Battery Tender Plus, great little charger and will keep any battery healthy.
I had a hard time finding the smaller Yellow top, but did for 109.95
Costco Sell the Red tops and yellow top 479/75 (?). The red top is 100.00 and the bigger yellow is 149.99. I did not want the bigger yellow because it wieghs more and I don't have any major electrical mods i.e stero with amps etc.
Cheers, Gonzo
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,917
Likes: 3
From: Southern NH
Originally Posted by BELVIN20
I have a Exide Orbital in my 2000 Vert, and very happy with it. I also have 4 Exide Orbital Marine in my boat and they have done well with no problems.
My 5 year old Delco AGM was starting to have problems gettting above 50% charge, so when I did some research for a replacement I decided on the Exide Orbital. This is a solidly built AGM battery and several places that carry them commented on how they've never had a problem with it. I had considered an Optima, but the Exide seemed to have a better reputation.
I got mine at NTB for $129.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
The Exide orbital is very likely to be the best AGM battery out there, but the Exide Marathon may be the best lead-acid. It is designed so that traditional weak points (areas that may leak) have been reinforced, making it extremely robust. Either way, you'll have a great battery.
That being said, I must also mention that my OEM battery, an AC Delco AGM is still cranking like a champ at over 5 years old.
That being said, I must also mention that my OEM battery, an AC Delco AGM is still cranking like a champ at over 5 years old.
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Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 647
Likes: 2
From: Keystone, I.T.
Any battery can go bad if the car isn't driven. As to the leaking battery question. Every time I fuel the car I pop the hood and check things like oil, belts, hoses and I look the battery over for leakage. I don't drive mine every day but I will end up checking under the hood every 7 to 10 days.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,118
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by phils C5 vette
Last week I bought a AC delco 7 year battery from the dealer for $88.00
Same here...I went through a series of red and yellow top Optimas...... when fully discharged they tend to sulphate rapidly and loose part of their full power when recharged...... even after one full discharge.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 9
From: Jackson Tn
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Why would you NOT put an AC/Delco battery back in the car? The late model original batteries seem to be just fine and last a long time. Mine is an '02 with the original battery and still going strong. Getting over 4 yrs old now, I'm going to keep a close eye on it though. Batteries usually don't last much over 5 yrs.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
See my post, above. You have the same type of battery I do, an AGM (vibration and leakproof). However, AC Delco doesn't make this type any more. The reason why GM went to AGMs in the first place is that front terminal lead acid batteries tended to leak. The 04 C5s have top terminal lead acid bats - no more leaking. This is why 97-03 C5 owners tend to buy AGM-type batteries. They are far less likely to leak in this configuration.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 222
Likes: 1
From: Rapid City SD
Originally Posted by my 00 vette
What is you opinion on the best battery for my C5. Orig battery in my 2000 must be close to passing away so I wanted to replace it. I've heard Optima's were starting to fail. What do you think I should get?.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 9
From: Jackson Tn
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Originally Posted by Dave68
See my post, above. You have the same type of battery I do, an AGM (vibration and leakproof). However, AC Delco doesn't make this type any more. The reason why GM went to AGMs in the first place is that front terminal lead acid batteries tended to leak. The 04 C5s have top terminal lead acid bats - no more leaking. This is why 97-03 C5 owners tend to buy AGM-type batteries. They are far less likely to leak in this configuration.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,190
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville AR
I research the GM AMG (Glass Mat) battery earlier this year and they are discontinued. So I called the local GM dealer to see if they had a old one in stock and they said no and they had a few problems with them. I still have my old battery but am afraid it will go out or leak in the near future. I was looking for a AMG battery that was some what light and the same size as stock but could not find any good ones that were $150 or less. I have seen a few racing batteries around but some are very small or very expensive. I don’t race but I figure if I can shave a few pound off that would be great (after all GM when to a lot of trouble shaving weight were ever they could). Plus the weight saves could help off set the Frost King/Dynomat mod.
If anyone finds a good AMG battery that is as light (or lighter) that factory and cost under $150.00 then let me know!
If anyone finds a good AMG battery that is as light (or lighter) that factory and cost under $150.00 then let me know!
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,407
Likes: 46
From: Tampa FL
Optima Red Top. These batteries are indestructable!
Here is my story. I once recharged an Optima red top for 2 days straight! I forgot to unplug the charger when I left town. When I got back home the whole house smelled like sulfur and I ran into the garage. The Optima was bubbling inside and it smelled horrible. NO LEAKS AT ALL! I took it in to the battery shop and they replaced it for free!
So for warranty and no leakage I'd recommend the Optima. Plus they are built very well. Regular batteries tend to have soft side walls. You ca actually flex the wall by pushing on it. Scarey.
Here is my story. I once recharged an Optima red top for 2 days straight! I forgot to unplug the charger when I left town. When I got back home the whole house smelled like sulfur and I ran into the garage. The Optima was bubbling inside and it smelled horrible. NO LEAKS AT ALL! I took it in to the battery shop and they replaced it for free!
So for warranty and no leakage I'd recommend the Optima. Plus they are built very well. Regular batteries tend to have soft side walls. You ca actually flex the wall by pushing on it. Scarey.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Take a look at this thread
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1469503
There are way too many AC Delco failures for my liking
There have beena few members reported Optima failures recently but the poll doesn't reflect that
I've had Red Tops in the Camaro and the Vert for 2 years and both going strong even in the heat of Vegas.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1469503
There are way too many AC Delco failures for my liking
There have beena few members reported Optima failures recently but the poll doesn't reflect that
I've had Red Tops in the Camaro and the Vert for 2 years and both going strong even in the heat of Vegas.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Originally Posted by vintage driver
You are right in that mine is an AGM but are you saying I can't buy the same AC/Delco battery anymore?
