I have a 2002 coupe with 12K miles on it headed my way from PA thanks to a "Buy It Now" on eBay The transporter picked it up today and apparently the battery was dead due to the single-digit temps they've had recently. I'm leaning toward putting an OEM AC/Delco battery in it for originality's sake, but does anyone have a better idea? Optima? Some other specialty battery? Proper fit and appearance matter to me FWIW - thanks!

 

OEM is fine...

 

I think you'll find that there are as many opinions on this forum as there are different batteries on the market. There is an advantage to going with the gel type battery which won't leak acid down onto your PCM (which GM in their infinite wisdom placed directly underneath your battery). However, they are a little expensive for me (but not as expensive as a new PCM). I use the Duralast from AutoZone, mainly because it's convenient (pass the store twice a day) and the store employees are friendly, will test your electrical system for free and will even actually put the new battery in for you free.

 

I've used die hard's with very good luck.

 

Bill Curlee uses Wall Mart batteries , I've been using them for at least 15 years. Just changed one out last week, been in service since
2001.

BH

 

We have a great special on Optima batteries right now. As of today I'm currently sold out but I've got another shipment coming in.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-p...ops-110-a.html

Seth

 

The AC Delco 7 YR Professional battery is an excellent battery that features a much beefier case (compared to those installed in 97-00 C5s), a perfect fit (slides under the hold-down ledge as it should), and a 50-month free-replacement warranty - best in the world. I bought one last year and it should last me another 7 years. The Walmart battery is another good one, although no one will ever say it looks OEM.

 

I would not use anything that could leak.

I had great luck with Optima but there are others that work good.

 

I've used Optimas for the past 12 years with no problems at all.

 

Correct. My origional GM leaked on the frame and brain box.

Fortunately I was watching for potential issues and was able to remove the battery and bat. box. Then neutralized all the leaked acid, brushed clean the damage and repainted all the damaged areas with no real structural damage other than my pride. I went back with optima. The first one lasted just about 14 months then failed. I got a even exchange and the 2nd one is still going. . Perhaps they have gotten better. If you decide to use other than optima use a AGM battery to help the leak issue. YOU DON'T WANT ACID LEAKING

 

I wouldn't be that concerned about originality right now. You'll end up paying more for an AC Delco replacement.

I've always had good luck with the store brand batterys from Costco, Sears, and WalMart.

FYI, Your '02 came factory equipped with a group 75 size battery.
A larger size group 78 battery will fit in the same battery tray, and provide more cranking power and reserve capacity.

I installed a group 78 size battery from Costco, in my '01, when I needed a replacement.

 

we carry interstate and them seem pretty good, however i picked one up for a customer and brought it to the other store and it leaked acid on my floor and put a hole in the carpet on the passanger side.. needless to say I was pretty pissed... the delco only seem to last 3 years for I am on my second 1 and it just died the other day.

 

Let's squash this rumor once and for all....

The leaking battery panic is centered around batteries installed from 1997-2000. Those batteries tended to leak around the positive side-post terminal, primarily from stress caused from overtorqueing the clamp and inherent cantilever forces exerted by the cable.

The 01-03 batteries were AGM batteries and the 04s went back to non-AGM and top-post style. During the 04 era, the battery manufacturer changed to Johnson Controls (I believe) who created a much beefier battery case, especially around the terminals.
I've been on this forum since 00 and I have never seen a post about a 2004- present AC Delco battery leaking.

Saying no one should buy a non-AGM because those batteries may leak as they did in the late 90s is like saying you won't buy a Corvette because GM had some body cracking issues in the 50s. The sky is not falling, folks. It IS safe to go back to non-AGMs and save yourself a nice chunk of change!

 

I agree but would like to add that an acid absorber mat should be placed under the battery.

 

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.

 

Never thought about that. ? Good idea anyone have part numbers?

 

Something like this will convert a top post to take side post cables.

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/Pro...egoryCode=3019

 

I used an Exide Orbital. Will probbly go with Die Hard Platinum next time.

 

I have always been partial to and had excellent service from Delco batteries in my Corvettes. Then I bought a C5 and discovered the battery leaking out of the side terminal. I replaced it with an Exide Orbital AGM battery and it has been in there for at least 4 years.

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.

A few months later the 4 year old Delco in my '73 would no longer hold a charge. I replaced it with another Exide Orbital.

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.

There was a time when you could pick up Delco batteries as well as Motorcraft batteries from K-Mart for half the price the dealers charged. Regardless, they always lasted at least 5 years. Now it seems they're only available from dealers and even with a discount, they're not an inexpensive battery.

Good luck with your decision... GUSTO

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.

 

I vote AGM. I have used Exide Orbital and now have an Optima Red Top (and a battery maintainer).

It's only money and better safe than sorry!