Replacement Battery
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 7
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Replacement Battery
Forgive me if this is in the wrong forum. I am looking for recommendations for a replacement battery for my 98 vette. I looked online at autozone and saw batteries ranging for 90 dollars to 220 dollars. I know more expensive does not mean better always. Does anyone have any recommendations for batteries?
I did do searches on the forums and did not really come up with anything, to many posts unrelated.
Thanks for any help.
Rick
I did do searches on the forums and did not really come up with anything, to many posts unrelated.
Thanks for any help.
Rick
Pro
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 580
Likes: 1
From: Chicago Suburb
St. Jude Donor '13
First and foremost, you need to establish the right battery for your VIN. If the OEM batter is still in the car, simply check the number. Most C5's use a french made battery by Valeo.
One source of info is GMpartsoutlet.net, or your local Chevy stealership. I personally like Optima Red Tops. Expensive, with an excellent replacement warranty.
-t-
One source of info is GMpartsoutlet.net, or your local Chevy stealership. I personally like Optima Red Tops. Expensive, with an excellent replacement warranty.
-t-
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
One of the best buys for a top rated battery is the Kirkland battery from Costco.
Their Group 78 size has one of the highest CCA and reserve capacity ratings on the market, and it comes with one of the best replacement guarantees........3 years full replacement, and 84 months of pro-rated replacement.
I have been using them in my cars and trucks for many years, and without ever having a problem. The Kirkland battery in my old truck, which I gave to my son, will be 10 years old this year!
Their Group 78 size has one of the highest CCA and reserve capacity ratings on the market, and it comes with one of the best replacement guarantees........3 years full replacement, and 84 months of pro-rated replacement.
I have been using them in my cars and trucks for many years, and without ever having a problem. The Kirkland battery in my old truck, which I gave to my son, will be 10 years old this year!
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 178
Likes: 9
From: Tempe Arizona
One of the best buys for a top rated battery is the Kirkland battery from Costco.
Their Group 78 size has one of the highest CCA and reserve capacity ratings on the market, and it comes with one of the best replacement guarantees........3 years full replacement, and 84 months of pro-rated replacement.
I have been using them in my cars and trucks for many years, and without ever having a problem. The Kirkland battery in my old truck, which I gave to my son, will be 10 years old this year!
Their Group 78 size has one of the highest CCA and reserve capacity ratings on the market, and it comes with one of the best replacement guarantees........3 years full replacement, and 84 months of pro-rated replacement.
I have been using them in my cars and trucks for many years, and without ever having a problem. The Kirkland battery in my old truck, which I gave to my son, will be 10 years old this year!
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 243
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Forgive me if this is in the wrong forum. I am looking for recommendations for a replacement battery for my 98 vette. I looked online at autozone and saw batteries ranging for 90 dollars to 220 dollars. I know more expensive does not mean better always. Does anyone have any recommendations for batteries?
I did do searches on the forums and did not really come up with anything, to many posts unrelated.
Thanks for any help.
Rick
I did do searches on the forums and did not really come up with anything, to many posts unrelated.
Thanks for any help.
Rick
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.
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 just went to Costco last weekend here in Phoenix and all that was on the shelf is Interstate, Kirkland is gone, according to the tech behind the counter, and with it is the warranty! I agree with you, but times are changing I guess. They probably got tired of giving out new batteries?
As of this past Monday our local Costco, located on the CT/MA border, had plenty of Kirkland batteries on the shelf.
The Group 78 Kirkland battery has the exact same CCA and reserve capacity ratings of the Delco Professional Series Group 78. It is my understanding that they are both manufactured by Johnson Controls.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 831
Likes: 2
From: Houston Texas
I had to return 2 of the aforementioned batteries within 6 months
because they leaked. Big headache, luckily I was able to clean up and replace HVAC vacuum lines.
Went with a Red Top and no more acid leaks. Suggest not saving on batteries, the C5 PCM and lots of wires and vacuum lines sit directly beneath the battery tray.
because they leaked. Big headache, luckily I was able to clean up and replace HVAC vacuum lines.
Went with a Red Top and no more acid leaks. Suggest not saving on batteries, the C5 PCM and lots of wires and vacuum lines sit directly beneath the battery tray.
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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
The factory recommended side terminal torque values are rather low, especially for the positive side. The torque values listed below are taken directly from the FSM's.
Reattach the positive cable and torque to 15 N-m (11 lb ft)
Reattach the negative cable and torque to 16 N-m (12 lb ft)
Reinsert the battery hold down retainer bolt and torque to 18 N-m (13 lb ft)
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
I hope that it was just a regional area brand decision, and not storewide.
As of this past Monday our local Costco, located on the CT/MA border, had plenty of Kirkland batteries on the shelf.
The Group 78 Kirkland battery has the exact same CCA and reserve capacity ratings of the Delco Professional Series Group 78. It is my understanding that they are both manufactured by Johnson Controls.
As of this past Monday our local Costco, located on the CT/MA border, had plenty of Kirkland batteries on the shelf.
The Group 78 Kirkland battery has the exact same CCA and reserve capacity ratings of the Delco Professional Series Group 78. It is my understanding that they are both manufactured by Johnson Controls.
My Kirkland has been (and still is) great for the last few years. Another good bang-for-the-buck battery is the Walmart MAXX battery for $80 or so.The Sears Platinum, while a very good battery, cost more than a Kitchen Aid mixer and weighs as much as a boat anchor.
Last edited by Dave68; Feb 19, 2013 at 11:19 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,482
Likes: 253
From: Lake Tapps WA.
I had to return 2 of the aforementioned batteries within 6 months
because they leaked. Big headache, luckily I was able to clean up and replace HVAC vacuum lines.
Went with a Red Top and no more acid leaks. Suggest not saving on batteries, the C5 PCM and lots of wires and vacuum lines sit directly beneath the battery tray.
because they leaked. Big headache, luckily I was able to clean up and replace HVAC vacuum lines.
Went with a Red Top and no more acid leaks. Suggest not saving on batteries, the C5 PCM and lots of wires and vacuum lines sit directly beneath the battery tray.
If you don't want acid fumes / leakage stay away from batteries with removable caps. Optima, Diehard Platinum or AC Delco 60 series are all good choices. I have used the AC Delco and Optima's with excellent results in all kinds of applications from sunny day drivers to off road and daily drivers. They have always exceeded their life expectancy rating as well.
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
If you don't want acid fumes / leakage stay away from batteries with removable caps. Optima, Diehard Platinum or AC Delco 60 series are all good choices. I have used the AC Delco and Optima's with excellent results in all kinds of applications from sunny day drivers to off road and daily drivers. They have always exceeded their life expectancy rating as well.
I had a RED TOP and other than a LIGHTER wallet, it didn't perform better than the WALMART battery in any of my other vehicles.. I just replaced the RED TOP in my 02 ZO6 with a AutoZone Premium battery and have had ZERO issues with it.
Unless you have to mount the battery in a very weird position,,,,, there are more affordable batteries that perform as well or better.
BC
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,482
Likes: 253
From: Lake Tapps WA.
BS
I had a RED TOP and other than a LIGHTER wallet, it didn't perform better than the WALMART battery in any of my other vehicles.. I just replaced the RED TOP in my 02 ZO6 with a AutoZone Premium battery and have had ZERO issues with it.
Unless you have to mount the battery in a very weird position,,,,, there are more affordable batteries that perform as well or better.
BC
I had a RED TOP and other than a LIGHTER wallet, it didn't perform better than the WALMART battery in any of my other vehicles.. I just replaced the RED TOP in my 02 ZO6 with a AutoZone Premium battery and have had ZERO issues with it.
Unless you have to mount the battery in a very weird position,,,,, there are more affordable batteries that perform as well or better.
BC
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
From: Scottsdale AZ
I just went to Costco last weekend here in Phoenix and all that was on the shelf is Interstate, Kirkland is gone, according to the tech behind the counter, and with it is the warranty! I agree with you, but times are changing I guess. They probably got tired of giving out new batteries?
Pro
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 580
Likes: 1
From: Chicago Suburb
St. Jude Donor '13
Interstate batteries are highly rated by Consumer Reports magazine. It could be my senior memory, but I seem to recall that they also make Die Hards.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 178
Likes: 9
From: Tempe Arizona
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,922
Likes: 219
From: West Branch, MI
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.