2004 battery - top mount costco ?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 124,167
Likes: 278
From: .... NJ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '19
2004 battery - top mount costco ?
The OEM battery on my 2004 started to go, so i went to costco, traded in my core and what i thought was the right one, a group 35 top mount. After i got home i noticed the polarity was reversed, the + and - terminals are on the wrong side. 
Does anyone know the correct costco battery to get for a 2004?
Does anyone know the correct costco battery to get for a 2004?
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Did Costco recommend the Group 35 battery? I think the correct battery is a Group 86.
An Optima Red Top would be a better choice than a Costco (Kirkland) battery Look for an Optima 25 (9025-160). Or try an Interstate Mega-Tron Plus 86. Either battery will have more cranking amps and reserve power than the Kirkland battery.
An Optima Red Top would be a better choice than a Costco (Kirkland) battery Look for an Optima 25 (9025-160). Or try an Interstate Mega-Tron Plus 86. Either battery will have more cranking amps and reserve power than the Kirkland battery.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 124,167
Likes: 278
From: .... NJ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '19
No, I just took it off the shelf as that is the size I thought I had for the top mount in2004, and I never thought to look at the polarity orientation. The OEM Delco led acid/wet battery that was there lasted 7 years and 33k miles. So after getting my core credit the Costco battery only cost me $64.19 including tax for it, and i get 1% back on the amex and 2% back on the executive membership. I know the Optima is more money, not sure what that will really buy me in the long run. Although I need one that lines up with the + and - terminals correctly.
I will bring it back tonight after work and see if the group 86 works, if they have nothing that works I will look into another battery.
I will bring it back tonight after work and see if the group 86 works, if they have nothing that works I will look into another battery.
Did Costco recommend the Group 35 battery? I think the correct battery is a Group 86.
An Optima Red Top would be a better choice than a Costco (Kirkland) battery Look for an Optima 25 (9025-160). Or try an Interstate Mega-Tron Plus 86. Either battery will have more cranking amps and reserve power than the Kirkland battery.
An Optima Red Top would be a better choice than a Costco (Kirkland) battery Look for an Optima 25 (9025-160). Or try an Interstate Mega-Tron Plus 86. Either battery will have more cranking amps and reserve power than the Kirkland battery.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
The old AC Delco battery should have had some part number that would indicate the group size. For my '02, it's something like 75Y-6YR where 75Y is the group size and 6YR is the number of years for the warranty.
I didn't think the battery cables were long enough to be able to connect at the opposite ends of the battery case.
The Kirkland battery should have information on it that shows the cranking power in "CCA" and also the reserve power also in CCA. Optima and Interstate are the same company and either battery is IMHO, a much better battery in terms of performance and warranty. Do a search on "battery" or "Optima" and you will get lots of information and comments about both.
Our shop sells both Interstate and AC-Delco batteries and we see all sorts of batteries get replaced that have retail store names like Wal-Mart, Kirkland, DuraLast and others. While these batteries work, they really aren't ones that provide more than 3 years worth of life. Sometimes not even that.
I didn't think the battery cables were long enough to be able to connect at the opposite ends of the battery case.
The Kirkland battery should have information on it that shows the cranking power in "CCA" and also the reserve power also in CCA. Optima and Interstate are the same company and either battery is IMHO, a much better battery in terms of performance and warranty. Do a search on "battery" or "Optima" and you will get lots of information and comments about both.
Our shop sells both Interstate and AC-Delco batteries and we see all sorts of batteries get replaced that have retail store names like Wal-Mart, Kirkland, DuraLast and others. While these batteries work, they really aren't ones that provide more than 3 years worth of life. Sometimes not even that.
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Carrollton Texas
I too have a 2004 with what I believe is an original battery. I have not had problems yet, but time to get it checked.
One question, "c4cruiser" and others have recommended the Optima Red Top. However, on the Optima website, 'deep cycle' operation is not recommended. My Corvette is our second car and as such might get used everyday or might sit for 10 days without use. With all the electronics in the C5's, would not 10 days non-use constitute 'deep cycle useage?'
I ask this because all I know about electronics is to plug a socket into its holder and if it works, great, if not, now what?
!
One question, "c4cruiser" and others have recommended the Optima Red Top. However, on the Optima website, 'deep cycle' operation is not recommended. My Corvette is our second car and as such might get used everyday or might sit for 10 days without use. With all the electronics in the C5's, would not 10 days non-use constitute 'deep cycle useage?'
I ask this because all I know about electronics is to plug a socket into its holder and if it works, great, if not, now what?
!
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 124,167
Likes: 278
From: .... NJ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '19
Just got back from Costco, it was the group 25 battery, there was no group 86 there. The battery is rated at 660 CCA I believe.
3 year 100% replacement warranty and after that the pro-rated warranty is up to 100 months (8 years & 4 months)
3 year 100% replacement warranty and after that the pro-rated warranty is up to 100 months (8 years & 4 months)
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
7 Bolt-On Upgrades From Extreme Online Store to Level Up Your C6 Corvette
Pouria Savadkouei
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,451
Likes: 1,036
From: Chester County Pennsylvania
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 1
From: Niagara Falls ON
For those asking about the Optima battery it is especially benefitial to a C5 because it doesn't leak. If and when a lead acid battery leaks in a C5 it leaks onto the computer which is directly below the battery tray. This is why some choose to use the Optima battery or other "glasmat" batteries that are available.
Lead acide was put in from the factory and it works fine. If you see any evidence of leaking, get it out of there fast.
Lead acide was put in from the factory and it works fine. If you see any evidence of leaking, get it out of there fast.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 31
From: Silver Spring MD
Also eats vacuum lines and air out of all vents syndrone
For those asking about the Optima battery it is especially benefitial to a C5 because it doesn't leak. If and when a lead acid battery leaks in a C5 it leaks onto the computer which is directly below the battery tray. This is why some choose to use the Optima battery or other "glasmat" batteries that are available.
Lead acide was put in from the factory and it works fine. If you see any evidence of leaking, get it out of there fast.
Lead acide was put in from the factory and it works fine. If you see any evidence of leaking, get it out of there fast.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 889
From: South Western Ontario
According to this thread;
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...r-my-99-a.html
Delco, Costco, Optima and Interstate batteries are all made by Johnson Controls.
I seem to read complaints about all batteries equally so I don't put much faith in the expensive ones really being any better.
Peter
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...r-my-99-a.html
Delco, Costco, Optima and Interstate batteries are all made by Johnson Controls.
I seem to read complaints about all batteries equally so I don't put much faith in the expensive ones really being any better.
Peter
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 124,167
Likes: 278
From: .... NJ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '19
According to this thread;
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...r-my-99-a.html
Delco, Costco, Optima and Interstate batteries are all made by Johnson Controls.
I seem to read complaints about all batteries equally so I don't put much faith in the expensive ones really being any better.
Peter
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...r-my-99-a.html
Delco, Costco, Optima and Interstate batteries are all made by Johnson Controls.
I seem to read complaints about all batteries equally so I don't put much faith in the expensive ones really being any better.
Peter
and with the costco battery if i was inclined to i could just take it back every three years for a new one.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 651
Likes: 33
From: North Port Florida
Optima Red Top
I too have a 2004 with what I believe is an original battery. I have not had problems yet, but time to get it checked.
One question, "c4cruiser" and others have recommended the Optima Red Top. However, on the Optima website, 'deep cycle' operation is not recommended. My Corvette is our second car and as such might get used everyday or might sit for 10 days without use. With all the electronics in the C5's, would not 10 days non-use constitute 'deep cycle useage?'
I ask this because all I know about electronics is to plug a socket into its holder and if it works, great, if not, now what?!
One question, "c4cruiser" and others have recommended the Optima Red Top. However, on the Optima website, 'deep cycle' operation is not recommended. My Corvette is our second car and as such might get used everyday or might sit for 10 days without use. With all the electronics in the C5's, would not 10 days non-use constitute 'deep cycle useage?'
I ask this because all I know about electronics is to plug a socket into its holder and if it works, great, if not, now what?
!
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
The Costco Kirkland battery is probably the best bang-for-the-buck battery out there. My son had a 6.5 year old one in his car and replaced it just because of its age. It would've lasted longer. I have the Costco Kirkland in my C5 and it is doing great.
And leaking batteries are extremely rare (since 2004), so don't feel that you have to get an AGM battery. If you are worried about leakage, just get a $5.00 absorbant mat.
And leaking batteries are extremely rare (since 2004), so don't feel that you have to get an AGM battery. If you are worried about leakage, just get a $5.00 absorbant mat.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,983
Likes: 391
From: Stoney Creek Ontario
According to this thread;
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...r-my-99-a.html
Delco, Costco, Optima and Interstate batteries are all made by Johnson Controls.
I seem to read complaints about all batteries equally so I don't put much faith in the expensive ones really being any better.
Peter
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...r-my-99-a.html
Delco, Costco, Optima and Interstate batteries are all made by Johnson Controls.
I seem to read complaints about all batteries equally so I don't put much faith in the expensive ones really being any better.
Peter
