, I've been using them for at least 15 years. Just changed one out last week, been in service since 
New battery recommendations?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
In the meantime I replaced the 3rd Delco in my '85 with a new Delco in 2004. Last summer I discovered that the positive side terminal was leaking acid. While the battery doesn't sit on top of the computer, it still made a mess. I replaced it with an Exide Orbital as well.
Both the C4 and C3 see only a few hundred miles a year, but I rotate a battery maintainer on all of them for about a week every month. The Orbitals are not inexpensive, but I am done buying Delcos until the quality of the product improves. In the past with little care they would always last 5 years or more.
I almost forgot, the dealer just replaced the original (2 1/2 year old) Delco in my sons C6, ZO-6 because it wouldn't hold a charge.
If that had been a Redtop or Exide Orbital, I have no doubt that whatever drained the OEM so quickly would have done even faster to the AGMs. The C6s are notorious for having electrical issues - most of them not the fault of the battery.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Jim,
You can obtain a part number by visiting this page:
http://parts-catalog.acdelco.com/b2c/catalog_search.php
You can obtain a part number by visiting this page:
http://parts-catalog.acdelco.com/b2c/catalog_search.php
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 7,767
Likes: 19
From: East Texas
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 16,513
Likes: 4
From: Official Dirty Dozen Member
Optima batteries are no better than any other battery.
I would go with the ACDelco Professional grade battery which has a 50 month full replacement warranty. If you are concerned about side post batteries leaking, change the battery cables to a top post design as used in 2004.
I would go with the ACDelco Professional grade battery which has a 50 month full replacement warranty. If you are concerned about side post batteries leaking, change the battery cables to a top post design as used in 2004.
conventional batteries sweat, leak corrode. whatever you call it, it sucks
I would not use anything that could leak
my optima has zero issues in this regard
not one bit of corrsion anywhere
and my last one lasted 7+ years and was clean all around
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 7,767
Likes: 19
From: East Texas
I don't care about the battery 1/1000th as much as the wiring below it
conventional batteries sweat, leak corrode. whatever you call it, it sucks
I would not use anything that could leak
my optima has zero issues in this regard
not one bit of corrsion anywhere
and my last one lasted 7+ years and was clean all around
conventional batteries sweat, leak corrode. whatever you call it, it sucks
I would not use anything that could leak
my optima has zero issues in this regard
not one bit of corrsion anywhere
and my last one lasted 7+ years and was clean all around
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
I don't care about the battery 1/1000th as much as the wiring below it
conventional batteries sweat, leak corrode. whatever you call it, it sucks
I would not use anything that could leak
my optima has zero issues in this regard
not one bit of corrsion anywhere
and my last one lasted 7+ years and was clean all around
conventional batteries sweat, leak corrode. whatever you call it, it sucks
I would not use anything that could leak
my optima has zero issues in this regard
not one bit of corrsion anywhere
and my last one lasted 7+ years and was clean all around
I HAVE read of AGM batteries that leaked, so I guess no one should buy them as well?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,188
Likes: 4,178
From: Kannapolis NC
The AC Delco sold for the Vette now is not AGM, it has dual terminals (top and side) and requires filling when necessary. When my over 5 year old original Delco started getting a little weak, I went to the Chevy dealer and got that info, and the price was $140. I went to Autozone and bought a Duralast with 7 year warranty (3 years free replacement) for $84 and it is doing very well, even after sitting for a couple of weeks in low teens temperature. The starter spins quickly and the HUD and DIC remember where they were last used. That is one of the first indications that your battery is dropping in voltage when those settings default to factory settings when the car sits for a while. So far so good with the Duralast.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 149
Likes: 1
From: Houston Texas
Wow -- lots of great info (and opinions 
). Is the Optima 75/25 red top a direct drop-in replacement? I want to use the factory hold down clamp and I don't want any surprises when my car arrives and I have to replace the battery on the transporter. Thanks for everyone's input.
). Is the Optima 75/25 red top a direct drop-in replacement? I want to use the factory hold down clamp and I don't want any surprises when my car arrives and I have to replace the battery on the transporter. Thanks for everyone's input.
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 11
From: Newport, RI
Batteries will steadily lose charge as they sit. Cold weather exacerbates this loss. The battery in your new (to you) Corvette may simply need a good charge. So, my first attempt would be to give it a thorough charging and see what happens. I would also start the car and check battery voltage at the terminals with engine running and lights on. You should see about 14 volts at idle.
I have always had muscle cars and more recently, a Corvette. In winter, I don't drive them, and I have always had to regularly charge the batteries on these cars. Many guys use battery tenders (small trickle chargers) if car is being stored. Bottom line - all batteries steadily lose voltage as they sit. Therefore, "dead battery" does not always mean "bad battery".
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I have always had muscle cars and more recently, a Corvette. In winter, I don't drive them, and I have always had to regularly charge the batteries on these cars. Many guys use battery tenders (small trickle chargers) if car is being stored. Bottom line - all batteries steadily lose voltage as they sit. Therefore, "dead battery" does not always mean "bad battery".
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Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 17,337
Likes: 39
From: Birmingham, AL www.hinsonsupercars.com 205-909-9402
Wow -- lots of great info (and opinions ). Is the Optima 75/25 red top a direct drop-in replacement? I want to use the factory hold down clamp and I don't want any surprises when my car arrives and I have to replace the battery on the transporter. Thanks for everyone's input.
). Is the Optima 75/25 red top a direct drop-in replacement? I want to use the factory hold down clamp and I don't want any surprises when my car arrives and I have to replace the battery on the transporter. Thanks for everyone's input.