Replacement Battery
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,100
Likes: 17
From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I've posted this before but am so extremely satisfied that I thought I'd post it again. I purchased this battery from Advance Auto in May 2012. http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...15000|L3*15597 It has both side and top terminals, has 800 CCA and 1000 cranking amps. Fits perfectly. Works perfectly.
Now for the good stuff. Online price on this battery is $125.99 with a core charge of $15. Order the battery online but choose instore pickup. When checking out, use this coupon to get $40 off http://www.offers.com/exit/offer/offerid/954746/ which will bring the price down to $85.99. Pickup your battery at the store and either install yourself or have them do it while you wait. I had them do it for me, but supervised every moment. An extremely good battery for a very good price. The core charge of $15 will be immediately taken off if you have them install while you're there. They also used a 9v battery device plugged into the cig lighter to maintain the radio presets, etc while the battery was being changed. Highly recommended. Last May, when I bought mine, the cost of the battery was $107.99 so I got mine installed for $67.99 using the same $40 off coupon. A perfect experience for me without emptying my pocket very much.
Now for the good stuff. Online price on this battery is $125.99 with a core charge of $15. Order the battery online but choose instore pickup. When checking out, use this coupon to get $40 off http://www.offers.com/exit/offer/offerid/954746/ which will bring the price down to $85.99. Pickup your battery at the store and either install yourself or have them do it while you wait. I had them do it for me, but supervised every moment. An extremely good battery for a very good price. The core charge of $15 will be immediately taken off if you have them install while you're there. They also used a 9v battery device plugged into the cig lighter to maintain the radio presets, etc while the battery was being changed. Highly recommended. Last May, when I bought mine, the cost of the battery was $107.99 so I got mine installed for $67.99 using the same $40 off coupon. A perfect experience for me without emptying my pocket very much.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 254
From: Lake Tapps WA.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,100
Likes: 17
From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Pro
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 527
Likes: 163
From: Central East Florida
Thanks for the heads up. I was unaware of that option, or would have jumped up to the 78. It was not not recommended by Interstate when I inquired. In fact, it was a PITA to get the "MTP" they were pushing the "MT". I will jump up next time. Hopefully that will be a while.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,422
Likes: 118
From: San Gabriel Valley California
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
What's your budget? Although it's true many times that more expensive is not always better, sometimes there are exceptions to that old saw, especially with automotive batteries.
Oh, and forget trying to buy by "year, make and model". All C5 Corvettes share the exact same battery tray so many different brands will "fit", but just because they "fit" the battery tray doesn't mean they're necessarily superior or the best choice. Get the battery with the highest CCA (not "CC") and reserve cranking capacity minutes you can afford.
Regardless of brand, I recommend a Group 34/78. That means it has both top and side terminals and a 34/78 group size will usually offer the most CCAs and highest RCs over all. If you don't want/need the added convenience of having top terminals in addition to side terminals, then just look for a Group size 78. That is a side terminal-only battery.
Having said that, I personally would recommend:
Sears Die-Hard Platinum P4 with 880 CCA and RC of 135 mins.
or
Delco Professional series (group78) with the highest CCA/RC you can find.
Oh, and forget trying to buy by "year, make and model". All C5 Corvettes share the exact same battery tray so many different brands will "fit", but just because they "fit" the battery tray doesn't mean they're necessarily superior or the best choice. Get the battery with the highest CCA (not "CC") and reserve cranking capacity minutes you can afford.
Regardless of brand, I recommend a Group 34/78. That means it has both top and side terminals and a 34/78 group size will usually offer the most CCAs and highest RCs over all. If you don't want/need the added convenience of having top terminals in addition to side terminals, then just look for a Group size 78. That is a side terminal-only battery.
Having said that, I personally would recommend:
Sears Die-Hard Platinum P4 with 880 CCA and RC of 135 mins.
or
Delco Professional series (group78) with the highest CCA/RC you can find.
for the C5 Corvette. Ask for the exact battery noted here (above), by previous post. Don't just ask for a battery for a C5. Their computer will show a smaller version, too small for the battery tray. I was made aware of this, by another CF member (thanks!!!). I had to take back the first battery I got, for re-replacement. To Sears credit, they made the swap, to the bigger battery, with no hasstle, and no charge (even though the correct battery was a few bucks more). I got the biggest capacity Die hard battery, with lots of Cold Cranking Amps, and am very happy with it, so far. (PS; the Die Hard Platinum was on sale, at Sears.Com, but not in the store. They gave me the on-line, on sale price; at the store. Check on line, for price first, before going into store if you decide to go with Die Hard)
I've had good luck with Die Hard batteries, for many years. And, I like the replacement (4 years full replacement) on this battery, and that any Sears store, anywhere, will handle warranty if you happen to be travelling away from home, and have a problem.
Lots of good batteries now days, but C5 needs a 'big' battery, with lots of CCA's.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,055
Likes: 864
From: So Cal
This is the most recommended C5 battery by the most recognized GM Corvette battery experts.
AC Delco Professional Series, 78-6yr, 700 CCA, 120 RC, PART No. 19001632.
The warranty for this battery is:
72 mo's duration
30 mo's free replacement
pro-rated replacement 31st thru 72nd month.
There are of course other batteries at lower prices and the Optima type of batteries if battery leakage issues are a concern of yours. Optimas are also good for very cold weather ops and prolonged periods of no operation.
Don't let any GM or Chevy parts guy tell you that there is a better or cheaper AC Delco battery recommended for a C5. He is wrong and some of the GM parts manuals are also wrong. If the battery has a carrying handle built into it, it's the wrong battery, definitely not the Professional Series.
Either way, the most important issue is to get a battery with at least 700 CCA and 120 RC ratings. There is no debating this criteria.
A different battery is recommended for 2004 C5's
I would only caution that considering all of the potential electrical complications and malfunctions that can erupt on a C5, going cheap on a battery is not a good idea. With a little bad luck, that decision could wind up costing you far, far more than the extra $40 or $50 bucks you might spend to get the right battery.
AC Delco Professional Series, 78-6yr, 700 CCA, 120 RC, PART No. 19001632.
The warranty for this battery is:
72 mo's duration
30 mo's free replacement
pro-rated replacement 31st thru 72nd month.
There are of course other batteries at lower prices and the Optima type of batteries if battery leakage issues are a concern of yours. Optimas are also good for very cold weather ops and prolonged periods of no operation.
Don't let any GM or Chevy parts guy tell you that there is a better or cheaper AC Delco battery recommended for a C5. He is wrong and some of the GM parts manuals are also wrong. If the battery has a carrying handle built into it, it's the wrong battery, definitely not the Professional Series.
Either way, the most important issue is to get a battery with at least 700 CCA and 120 RC ratings. There is no debating this criteria.
A different battery is recommended for 2004 C5's
I would only caution that considering all of the potential electrical complications and malfunctions that can erupt on a C5, going cheap on a battery is not a good idea. With a little bad luck, that decision could wind up costing you far, far more than the extra $40 or $50 bucks you might spend to get the right battery.
Last edited by B747VET; Feb 22, 2013 at 03:30 PM.
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