Best Battery?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 528
Likes: 4
From: Burlington WA
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15-'16
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Best Battery?
After doing a great amount of reading, I think I have more questions than answers. What is the best battery for the Corvette? I have a 97 coupe and I saw in the long Weights and Measures Post, that you should use a gell type battery and it suggested a Red Top battery. I didn't think the Red Tops were gell batteries, but whether it is or not, what battery or batteries do you feel work best in the Corvette and why? Thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 831
Likes: 2
From: Houston Texas
For our C5's - the best battery is one that won't leak acid! The electronic guts of the car reside directly under the battery tray.
I had 3 ( yes count 3) Costco batteries leak acid over 2 years . Stuck with it because of the free warranty replacement - and not believing the quality could be so consistently poor.
I finally went with a Red Top Optima - which is not supposed to leak. Time will tell.
I had 3 ( yes count 3) Costco batteries leak acid over 2 years . Stuck with it because of the free warranty replacement - and not believing the quality could be so consistently poor.
I finally went with a Red Top Optima - which is not supposed to leak. Time will tell.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,774
Likes: 66
From: SoCal
With all the reported problems as well as the problems my friend has had with the Optima Red Top battery I wouldn't touch one. As mentioned above a gel battery is a good choice because the PCM is located under the battery (good going GM).
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 25,061
Likes: 1,265
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
After doing a great amount of reading, I think I have more questions than answers. What is the best battery for the Corvette? I have a 97 coupe and I saw in the long Weights and Measures Post, that you should use a gell type battery and it suggested a Red Top battery. I didn't think the Red Tops were gell batteries, but whether it is or not, what battery or batteries do you feel work best in the Corvette and why? Thanks
Last edited by Yello95; Jun 8, 2011 at 04:10 PM.
Tech Contributor
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From: Dyer, IN
Race Director
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From: South Western Ontario
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,490
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From: Lake Tapps WA.
Get one that does not have top caps (to check fluid) Those leak no matter the brand, even if it is just seepage from venting. The AGM's are the best for preventing leakage although more costly and somewhat harder to get. I am using AC Delco group 78 60 series now since the Professonal series changed to the stupid top caps. Have never had a problem with the AC Delco batteries or the Optima's and they have all consistently out lived their life rating. 
I use the Red Tops in my offroad rigs and Camper, while the Delco's are in my 65 K10, Silverado, Corvette, and RedLine Vue. 30+ years of satisfaction for me.
I use the Red Tops in my offroad rigs and Camper, while the Delco's are in my 65 K10, Silverado, Corvette, and RedLine Vue. 30+ years of satisfaction for me.
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Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: perryville md
You are gonna get a ton of diff. answers and i ran into this same question when buying a battery in march. I ended up going with the deka intimidator,it is gel cell and wont leak and has the 120 rc the z06 needs,good luck on picking your battery
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 131
Likes: 3
From: NC
For our C5's - the best battery is one that won't leak acid! The electronic guts of the car reside directly under the battery tray.
I had 3 ( yes count 3) Costco batteries leak acid over 2 years . Stuck with it because of the free warranty replacement - and not believing the quality could be so consistently poor.
I finally went with a Red Top Optima - which is not supposed to leak. Time will tell.
I had 3 ( yes count 3) Costco batteries leak acid over 2 years . Stuck with it because of the free warranty replacement - and not believing the quality could be so consistently poor.
I finally went with a Red Top Optima - which is not supposed to leak. Time will tell.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
That said,, My 98 had the OEM Delco in the slot for almost 5 years and it NEVER leaked!
I purchased a RED TOP for my 02 ZO6 because it was the BATTERY TO HAVE! In 04 it cost $120.
FOR WHAT?? It died DEAD AS A DOOR NAIL with in months of being installed. Replacement warranty red top lasted 5 year but,,,,, what did $130 get me that a standard battery that cost $50 provided. The standard batteries in All my other cars last at least,, 5 years with out any issues. Some 6-8 years! The OEM FMCO heavy duty lead acid battery in my 97 F-150 survived 11 yrs (almost 12 years) and was in the truck when i sold it in late 08. DON'T DRINK THE COOL AID~~~ I purchased a standard walmart battery for my 06 coupe after the AGM battery died. Works excellent!
You DO NOT need any thing special to power your C5/C6 that a standard lead acid battery will provide and NO THEY DON'T LEAK unless your careless and damage them.
BC
