Those with an optima battery
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: Alpine TX
Those with an optima battery
I'm getting ready to replace my battery, and when looking at the Optima, I see it has a rounded shape to it. Looks to me like the battery hold down clamp has nothing to grip to.
What are you guys doing for the hold down, or am I missing something? I looked at a NAPA AGM, and it has the ridge along the bottom, so it is a direct replacement.
Also, both batteries have top posts that would stick up. I know they have plastic covers for them, but will that interfere with the hood closing in any way? In other words, do I need to cut them off?
What are you guys doing for the hold down, or am I missing something? I looked at a NAPA AGM, and it has the ridge along the bottom, so it is a direct replacement.
Also, both batteries have top posts that would stick up. I know they have plastic covers for them, but will that interfere with the hood closing in any way? In other words, do I need to cut them off?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 6,473
Likes: 297
From: Orange Park FL
I'm getting ready to replace my battery, and when looking at the Optima, I see it has a rounded shape to it. Looks to me like the battery hold down clamp has nothing to grip to.
What are you guys doing for the hold down, or am I missing something? I looked at a NAPA AGM, and it has the ridge along the bottom, so it is a direct replacement.
Also, both batteries have top posts that would stick up. I know they have plastic covers for them, but will that interfere with the hood closing in any way? In other words, do I need to cut them off?
What are you guys doing for the hold down, or am I missing something? I looked at a NAPA AGM, and it has the ridge along the bottom, so it is a direct replacement.
Also, both batteries have top posts that would stick up. I know they have plastic covers for them, but will that interfere with the hood closing in any way? In other words, do I need to cut them off?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 831
Likes: 2
From: Houston Texas
I'm getting ready to replace my battery, and when looking at the Optima, I see it has a rounded shape to it. Looks to me like the battery hold down clamp has nothing to grip to.
What are you guys doing for the hold down, or am I missing something? I looked at a NAPA AGM, and it has the ridge along the bottom, so it is a direct replacement.
Also, both batteries have top posts that would stick up. I know they have plastic covers for them, but will that interfere with the hood closing in any way? In other words, do I need to cut them off?
What are you guys doing for the hold down, or am I missing something? I looked at a NAPA AGM, and it has the ridge along the bottom, so it is a direct replacement.
Also, both batteries have top posts that would stick up. I know they have plastic covers for them, but will that interfere with the hood closing in any way? In other words, do I need to cut them off?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
If you really want an AGM battery then take a look at an Odyssey AGM battery. I'm just not convinced the Optima is worth spending a premium on compared to a normal lead acid battery.
Acct Suspended APR 2026 by request
Joined: Dec 2010
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2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
I have a yellow top in mine, fit the hold down perfect and I haven't had any problems so far... I've had it disconnected twice for a month or more at a time while working on the car and both times it started right back up when reconnected... the hood clearance is also not an issue... you can always get a battery den cover if you don't want to look at it all the time
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 6,473
Likes: 297
From: Orange Park FL
My original OEM acid battery dripped all over my PCM and corroded the crap out of everything. Hence the Optima. It seems the problem with them stems from allowing the battery to drain down too far and they don't want to charge back up with out their special charger.
I just put a charger on mine if it sits for over 2 weeks and never have a problem.
Acct Suspended APR 2026 by request
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 10,367
Likes: 1,272
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
I agree, I don't drive my car much which is why I bought the yellow top so I don't have to worry about it being drained just from sitting there... and if I'm going to be working on it for awhile I just leave it disconnected
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,284
Likes: 1
From: Clanton Al
I use a red top with a trickle cell charger. My first red top lasted 7 years. I'm on my second. It is about 2 years old. I have a blue top in my truck. I'm a believer.
I use the yellow top because the car leaves the garage maybe twice a month. Holds a good charge.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 28
From: Oviedo Florida
I have a red top and love it. It sits far below the top of the battery tray so clearance is not an issue. The top posts are nice to have if you want to do any stereo upgrade like adding amplifiers.
If my car is going to sit (which it does from time to time) I keep it on a battery tender which makes sure it's always fully charged and ready to go no matter how long the car might sit.
If my car is going to sit (which it does from time to time) I keep it on a battery tender which makes sure it's always fully charged and ready to go no matter how long the car might sit.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 249
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
I'm still on the same red top I bought when the original battery in my '98 C5 gave up. I bought it in '99 and it is now in my second C5, an '03 Z06. The battery is 15 years old and still working. I'm satisfied. I bought it because of the leaking issue people have had with the OEM batteries. Might be buying a replacement soon, will buy another. Yes, it is fifteen years old.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
I'm still on the same red top I bought when the original battery in my '98 C5 gave up. I bought it in '99 and it is now in my second C5, an '03 Z06. The battery is 15 years old and still working. I'm satisfied. I bought it because of the leaking issue people have had with the OEM batteries. Might be buying a replacement soon, will buy another. Yes, it is fifteen years old.