Those with an optima battery
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 319
Likes: 13
From: Macomb Michigan
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
Replaced all 3 OEM Delco's in my 3 cars with Red Top Optima's. My 99, ordered and purchased 8/99 with 149,000 miles is on it's 3rd RED Top.
So please don't tell me that they are not a great battery.
So please don't tell me that they are not a great battery.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
I've been using Optima Batteries for 15 years. I have them in both of my cars, and one I use as a 12V DC battery supply in the garage , its 9 years old and still does the job.
I bought a red top for my C5 in 2004, it never gave me any grief, I replaced it in 2011, not because it died, but because it was 7 years old. during that time I never once put a trickle ( float )charger on it or had to use a charger. A charger can be the kiss of death for an Optima Gel type battery. Chargers with a gel or agm switch are not good for an optima battery, their charge demand is very low and even a float charger with a switch can ruin one. I never had to use a charger in the winter on either of my cars, and never had a start problem. People here sometime want to do what they think is the best thing for their car. unfortunately, much like your portfolio, its much better leaving it alone , than it is to keep messing with it.
I know hundreds of people who use a Red top without issue. you will see lots of them here in photos, which have nothing to do with their battery, just a shot of their engine.
I bought a red top for my C5 in 2004, it never gave me any grief, I replaced it in 2011, not because it died, but because it was 7 years old. during that time I never once put a trickle ( float )charger on it or had to use a charger. A charger can be the kiss of death for an Optima Gel type battery. Chargers with a gel or agm switch are not good for an optima battery, their charge demand is very low and even a float charger with a switch can ruin one. I never had to use a charger in the winter on either of my cars, and never had a start problem. People here sometime want to do what they think is the best thing for their car. unfortunately, much like your portfolio, its much better leaving it alone , than it is to keep messing with it.
I know hundreds of people who use a Red top without issue. you will see lots of them here in photos, which have nothing to do with their battery, just a shot of their engine.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
It's too funny reading all the posts about how long an Optima can last as if spending the premium is required to have a long lasting battery. I'll likely be replacing the 7 year old Walmart battery in my Vette this year because I loaned it to my Uncle and he left it sitting dead for weeks so it's now not holding a charge very well. It'd still be fine otherwise.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
I find it sad that even after all of the problems with lead acid batteries found on this forum over the last 12 years. Considering the PCM is directly below it and GM even recommends a Gel or a Matt battery. Bill Curlee has seen hundreds of post from people who lost their PCM and all the vacuum lines located directly below the Battery. After all the issues on lead acid batteries for our C5, Its insane that someone would actually recommend a lead acid battery after all the problems a C5 has seen because of the heat generated by and LSX engine., and its effect on a lead acid battery.
Personally Ill pay for the correct battery type and chemistry for my C5
When someone brags about something being cheap, its usually the purchaser who is cheap.
I can not afford to buy anything that is cheap.
Bill aka ET
Personally Ill pay for the correct battery type and chemistry for my C5
When someone brags about something being cheap, its usually the purchaser who is cheap.
I can not afford to buy anything that is cheap.
Bill aka ET
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
164.00 dollars, free shipping and no tax, at Amazon and 10 + other places.
RedTop Starting Battery, Group Size 34/78, 800 CCA
Optima Batteries RedTop Starting Battery, Group Size 34/78, 800 CCA
Part No: 34/78-980
Warranty: 3 YR FREE REPLACEMENT Exact Fit for your 1999 Chevrolet Corvette
Ship to Home
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$164.99
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RedTop Starting Battery, Group Size 34/78, 800 CCA
Optima Batteries RedTop Starting Battery, Group Size 34/78, 800 CCA
Part No: 34/78-980
Warranty: 3 YR FREE REPLACEMENT Exact Fit for your 1999 Chevrolet Corvette
Ship to Home
Select a delivery
option on the
left to see
arrival times
$164.99
Product Subtotal:
$164.99
Shipping Options
Standard Expedited (Faster) Urgent (Fastest)
Estimated Shipping Charges:
Free
Total:
$164.99
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Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: Alpine TX
I went to the optima website, and according to them, I need the 75/25 battery. Looked for it on my Amazon prime account, and it was $152.97. Doesn't get any better than that IMO. AZ has that size in a lead acid for $145. No brainer, I ordered it.
Thank you all for your help.
Thank you all for your help.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
Good choice. You'll be fine with that battery. I dont know why there are some who bash optimas on this forum. They are probably the most popular battery for enthusiasts of any make/model.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
There are lots of people on this forum that give very poor advice as if its something anyone should actually follow. Lots of legends in their own minds here that would not know the difference between open loop and closed loop engine managment. As far as those Walmart batteries with the snap on caps. ( you know the ones that always leak from the snap cap area ). That has to be about the worse idea anyone would use for the placements sensitive C5 Battery. But then there are all kinds of people here. Some that know what they are talking about, and some that think they know something about this car. Buying a cheap lead acid battery for a C5 and justifying it because it's cheap has to be one of the dumbest things I've heard in my 13 years here.
Last edited by Evil-Twin; May 16, 2014 at 11:35 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
I guess the GM engineers sucked at their jobs since the car came from the factory with a flooded lead-acid battery. The opinions from certain people are hilarious when you realize how strongly they believe certain things must remain the way they came from GM because that was how the car was engineered, yet then for certain parts they believe it must be changed since the factory way isn't acceptable.
What does a battery have to do with open loop vs closed loop engine management? It takes a special kind of "legend in his own mind" to post a big rant going on about something that has absolutely nothing to do with the topic of the thread. The forum is just better off when these legends just respond to their millions of PM's instead of posting on the public forums.
Now the off-topic crap in this thread has caused me to post insulting comments not directed at anyone to circumvent the forum rules. Wonder who I learned that practice from?
What does a battery have to do with open loop vs closed loop engine management? It takes a special kind of "legend in his own mind" to post a big rant going on about something that has absolutely nothing to do with the topic of the thread. The forum is just better off when these legends just respond to their millions of PM's instead of posting on the public forums.
Now the off-topic crap in this thread has caused me to post insulting comments not directed at anyone to circumvent the forum rules. Wonder who I learned that practice from?
Last edited by lionelhutz; May 16, 2014 at 12:47 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 25,050
Likes: 1,265
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
So who are you actually talking about???get it out in the open
I guess the GM engineers sucked at their jobs since the car came from the factory with a flooded lead-acid battery. The opinions from certain people are hilarious when you realize how strongly they believe certain things must remain the way they came from GM because that was how the car was engineered, yet then for certain parts they believe it must be changed since the factory way isn't acceptable.
What does a battery have to do with open loop vs closed loop engine management? It takes a special kind of "legend in his own mind" to post a big rant going on about something that has absolutely nothing to do with the topic of the thread. The forum is just better off when these legends just respond to their millions of PM's instead of posting on the public forums.
Now the off-topic crap in this thread has caused me to post insulting comments not directed at anyone to circumvent the forum rules. Wonder who I learned that practice from?
What does a battery have to do with open loop vs closed loop engine management? It takes a special kind of "legend in his own mind" to post a big rant going on about something that has absolutely nothing to do with the topic of the thread. The forum is just better off when these legends just respond to their millions of PM's instead of posting on the public forums.
Now the off-topic crap in this thread has caused me to post insulting comments not directed at anyone to circumvent the forum rules. Wonder who I learned that practice from?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: Alpine TX
It is good to see there are passionate Vette owners on here. I to am strongly opinionated when it comes to maintenance on such a beautiful work of art.
I believe the GM engineers no doubt used a lead acid battery because of cost restraints. Also, they would want to use a genuine AC Delco part vs. sourcing another manufacturers product where possible. That would be like telling the world; GM batteries aren't as good as... you get the point.
At any rate, technology always wins out in the end. For those that want to use a L.A. battery, surely they know the risks. It may be a lesser risk of spillage than it was when are cars were built, but nonetheless no one can deny it still exists. A sealed battery is the way to go when you are in the vicinity of sensitive electronics, for obvious reasons. Now, in the event of a case breach, a glass mat battery or a gel battery would be preferable again for obvious reasons. But hey. If you don't have the funds, well then you are in the same boat as those GM engineers...
Peace out!
I believe the GM engineers no doubt used a lead acid battery because of cost restraints. Also, they would want to use a genuine AC Delco part vs. sourcing another manufacturers product where possible. That would be like telling the world; GM batteries aren't as good as... you get the point.
At any rate, technology always wins out in the end. For those that want to use a L.A. battery, surely they know the risks. It may be a lesser risk of spillage than it was when are cars were built, but nonetheless no one can deny it still exists. A sealed battery is the way to go when you are in the vicinity of sensitive electronics, for obvious reasons. Now, in the event of a case breach, a glass mat battery or a gel battery would be preferable again for obvious reasons. But hey. If you don't have the funds, well then you are in the same boat as those GM engineers...
Peace out!
Last edited by Biotex; May 17, 2014 at 08:10 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,337
Likes: 1,590
From: Western NY
It is good to see there are passionate Vette owners on here. I to am strongly opinionated when it comes to maintenance on such a beautiful work of art.
I believe the GM engineers no doubt used a lead acid battery because of cost restraints. Also, they would want to use a genuine AC Delco part vs. sourcing another manufacturers product where possible. That would be like telling the world; GM batteries aren't as good as... you get the point.
At any rate, technology always wins out in the end. For those that want to use a L.A. battery, surely they know the risks. It may be a lesser risk of spillage than it was when are cars were built, but nonetheless no one can deny it still exists. A sealed battery is the way to go when you are in the vicinity of sensitive electronics, for obvious reasons. Now, in the event of a case breach, a glass mat battery or a gel battery would be preferable again for obvious reasons. But hey. If you don't have the funds, well then you are in the same boat as those GM engineers...
Peace out!
I believe the GM engineers no doubt used a lead acid battery because of cost restraints. Also, they would want to use a genuine AC Delco part vs. sourcing another manufacturers product where possible. That would be like telling the world; GM batteries aren't as good as... you get the point.
At any rate, technology always wins out in the end. For those that want to use a L.A. battery, surely they know the risks. It may be a lesser risk of spillage than it was when are cars were built, but nonetheless no one can deny it still exists. A sealed battery is the way to go when you are in the vicinity of sensitive electronics, for obvious reasons. Now, in the event of a case breach, a glass mat battery or a gel battery would be preferable again for obvious reasons. But hey. If you don't have the funds, well then you are in the same boat as those GM engineers...
Peace out!
Let's add to that thought.....the GM engineers used a lead acid battery because THE ACCOUNTANTS told them it would save $5 per car....