Battery Install
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,655
Likes: 15
From: Jeffersonville In
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
Take it back and either get your money back, or pay the difference and get a yellow top. Sears Gold and they will install it for $12.99 and it is a better battery. Voice of experience speaking. Red Top sucks for the money they cost.!!!! Sorry to be so blunt!!!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 495
Likes: 5
From: CA
My buddy works for a shop and I got the battery for $75. Some people swear by them and others not so impressed. What gives? Anyways, the car is sitting in my garage and isn't moving till I put a new battery in it.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
From: West Jordan Utah
I have the red top and no problems. It is a simple job. Just remove the old battery using a 12mm I think on the battery hold down bolt. A 5/16 wrench on the wires. Remove old battery. Take all extras off new battery bottom tray handle etc... Slip the back edge in the slot in towards the rear of the car. Then replace bolt through hold down make sure to keep the hold down on top of the lip of the battery. Replace power wire first then ground. PS MAKE SURE CABLES HAVE NO CORRSION ON THE WIRES OR THE SURFACE AREA.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,655
Likes: 15
From: Jeffersonville In
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
Hey You got it for a great price. I hope you have good luck with yours. Mine was a dud from two years old on. Nursed it for two years and Monday said to hell with this and bought the Sears Gold. I doubt you will have any warranty at that price?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,945
Likes: 1,115
From: Hereford AZ
If I were you I would look for some other problem. I simply use a Diehard maintenance free (60 mo I think) and it works fine. I only drive the car on weekends. Also, my car is not stock, big cam, big bore, perf heads, other stuff. No problems with the battery. Maybe you have loose cables, alternator problem or some sort of constant drain on the system.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,484
Likes: 20
From: FLORIDA
I have the red top and no problems. It is a simple job. Just remove the old battery using a 12mm I think on the battery hold down bolt. A 5/16 wrench on the wires. Remove old battery. Take all extras off new battery bottom tray handle etc... Slip the back edge in the slot in towards the rear of the car. Then replace bolt through hold down make sure to keep the hold down on top of the lip of the battery. Replace power wire first then ground. PS MAKE SURE CABLES HAVE NO CORRSION ON THE WIRES OR THE SURFACE AREA.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,945
Likes: 1,115
From: Hereford AZ
You already have the short answer from folks. Batteries are important, but the color of your 'battery top' is not relative to your car's performance. I am sure some of these folks know which battery color is better; for whatever reason, but not for performance. So changing your battery will not increase power. I use a Die hard (only because it was relatively inexpensive) and it works fine. If you want to know how to install a battery, you must be very new to performance cars. I suggest you get a good set of tools (go to Sears, Lowes, Home Depot); get a combination metric set. Then remove the battery connection and the hold down. Take the battery out. Clean the connections with a wire brush. Then put in the new battery, tighten the bolts; not too much. Ok now, regardless of the battery you are good. If after this, your battery dies its: You do not drive the car enough to keep it charged (need a battery 'tender), you have a bad wire or two, you have a bad alternator. Fix those regardless of battery.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,945
Likes: 1,115
From: Hereford AZ
You already have the short answer from folks. Batteries are important, but the color of your 'battery top' is not relative to your car's performance. I am sure some of these folks know which battery color is better; for whatever reason, but not for performance. So changing your battery will not increase power. I use a Die hard (only because it was relatively inexpensive) and it works fine. If you want to know how to install a battery, you must be very new to performance cars. I suggest you get a good set of tools (go to Sears, Lowes, Home Depot); get a combination metric set. Then remove the battery connections and the hold down. Take the battery out. Clean the connections with a wire brush. Then put in the new battery, tighten the bolts; not too much. Ok now, regardless of the battery you are good. If after this, your battery dies' its: You do not drive the car enough to keep it charged (need a battery 'tender), you have a bad wire or two, you have a bad alternator. Fix those regardless of battery.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 1
From: Kingsport TN
I agree w/ VJ in considering a battery tender. If your car will be sitting for more than 2 weeks at a time, it's a great investment to keep your battery happy and fresh and to avoid a dead one that can't be recharged.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 874
Likes: 0
From: Bonita CA
If I were you I would look for some other problem. I simply use a Diehard maintenance free (60 mo I think) and it works fine. I only drive the car on weekends. Also, my car is not stock, big cam, big bore, perf heads, other stuff. No problems with the battery. Maybe you have loose cables, alternator problem or some sort of constant drain on the system.
When I change to Platinum Diehard on all of my cars, I have not had anymore problems. Those Yellow tops just quit holding a charge.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: Flowery Branch Georgia
Stay with the red top. I put one in a 99 coupe 3 years ago and no problems. You may have t reset your radio stations, but that is it.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,993
Likes: 7
From: LaPine Oregon
Three are better ...............
I have three Optima red top 34/78 batteries, one 2000 FRC , one 2001 Z06, and one '87 Grand National. These are driven infrequently so I keep them on battery tenders ( as I do my lawn tractor , Suburban w/ two batteries, Trans Am, and diesel motorcoach which has 6 house batteries and two starting batteries). Point being , use a battery tender if you vehicles are used on infrequently i.e. once a month. I have a fortune in batteries and they last for years with no problem when I follow some simple guidelines.
The C5 owners manuals will tell you to either disconnect or put a battery tender on your battery if it is not used for three or four weeks at a time.
Yellow top Optima batteries are deep cycle which are designed to be discharged and recharged i.e. RV house batteries. This may be a good choice for those that let their battery die often. But the yellow top 34/78 weighs in at 44 pounds , as the high performance red top only weighs 39 pounds. Wow wee.
I used the Optima in applications where there might be a possibility of acid spill or crack battery case from harsh ride conditions. Well worth the 'extra' money to me.
I thank you.
The C5 owners manuals will tell you to either disconnect or put a battery tender on your battery if it is not used for three or four weeks at a time.
Yellow top Optima batteries are deep cycle which are designed to be discharged and recharged i.e. RV house batteries. This may be a good choice for those that let their battery die often. But the yellow top 34/78 weighs in at 44 pounds , as the high performance red top only weighs 39 pounds. Wow wee.
I used the Optima in applications where there might be a possibility of acid spill or crack battery case from harsh ride conditions. Well worth the 'extra' money to me.
I thank you.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
If I did not have a 2004, I would seriously consider changing the battery cables to convert to a top post battery. Then just stay with the best AC Delco battery you can get. Their 7yr Professional model now has a 50 month, free replacement, warranty. 
I just got a free battery after having a cell go bad on a battery with over 3 years of service.
I just got a free battery after having a cell go bad on a battery with over 3 years of service.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,167
Likes: 11
From: Powell TN
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,889
Likes: 262
From: Hillsboro OR
I am also in need of a new battery. I have heard great things about the Optima batteries. Some posters in this thread seems to be unimpressed with them. Having read the entire thread, it seems to me that the people who have problems with these batteries are weekend drivers or own "garage queens". Does anyone who really uses their car as a DD have trouble with the Red Tops?