For those of you/us with the dreaded "battery blues" that are considering an Optima, be it a yellow or red top, after answering a PM in regards to this I thought I'd post the info publicly.

We just went through this with our 2005 C6, and as in our previous '01 C5 an Optima was the cure for the GM "battery blues". Here's what we used:

Optima Redtop
Part # 8004-003
Model # 34-78
CA - 1000
CCA - 800

Now then, once you exercise your due diligence and do your research you will find that the Optima is slightly larger in it's physical dimensions. Does this cause any "issues" you ask with the install?

Yes and no. There is one minor issue but it's so easily fixed that it's not really an "issue" at all. Let me detail the issues or lack thereof in swapping an Optima of the part number above for your stock C6 battery.

In width there were none, the battery fit fine in the stock tray and the stock hold down worked with the Optima.

In height, again, no issue. Fits fine in stock location.

The one fitment issue we encountered was with the positive battery terminal/cable. Because the Optima is slightly larger in the "length" dimension, it sits a little "closer" in to the passenger side inner fender and the postive terminal is in a slightly different place than the stock battery.

Consequently once the battery is completely in place and the hold down is clamped down, the positive terminal is below and obstructed by the hood bracket/support directly above it. I've included a picture below for reference. Anyway, once it's in place, you can't get a socket on the positive battery cable terminal to tighten it up. Ask me how we know. LOL

It's just a minor issue. The cure? Sit the Optima in place, but don't slide it fully into the tray. Put the positive cable on the terminal, tighten it fully and THEN slide the Optima into place in the hold down. Clamp it down. Replace the negative cable, tighten and you're done.



There you have it. I hope the picture above helps. Although it may not look like it interferes, it's the bracket noted that gets in the way. If I had shot the picture from directly above you'd be able to more easily see how it gets in the way but then it wouldn't have been much of a picture. LOL

Oh, and since we replaced the crappy stock battery with the Optima, our "battery blues" have been cured and everything has been milk and honey.

Vi.

 

My Delco died two to three weeks ago. I replaced with a Yellow Top. Yesterday, having left the vehicle the night before at the dealership for a "check gas cap" DIC error message, the dealership called and said that the battery died during the day. I am awaiting diagnosis on both issues now. I think I am going to ask that they pull the relay that goes for those European wipers for the headlamps.

 

I have an Optima Yellow Top sitting on the work bench ready to drop in. I prefer the deep cycle battery, but I am also putting quite a bit of aftermarket electronics in the car too so I pretty much need it.

I'll be mounting the stock cables to the side mounts via THESE TERMINAL ADAPTERS and I'll be using the top terminals for all of my aftermarket electronics connections via THESE

Good info Violet.

 

no problemo... just tryin' to help out!

 

Optimas rock...used to use them for heavy car audio draw.

 

I still do.

 

Optima sucks. Crappy customer service. Crappy batteries. At least the red tops. IMHO

 

Geez, when I clicked on this link, I thought it was going to be talking about C6 vs. Kia Optima. Thank God I was wrong.

 

Sorry you feel that way Ted. That's my car in the picture and my fiance' making the post. I feel your pain though as I have the same sentiments towards the stock AC Delco batteries that Chevrolet installs in these cars in Bowling Green.

Although, my experience with Optima's has been great. I had one in my 2001 C5 that I installed, surprise surprise, when the Delco battery died leaving me stranded for no apparent reason. Out with that crap, in with Optima, problem solved. 4 year and not one missed start.

So, fast forward to new 2005 C6 with 300 miles and >boom<. No start. No click. No door/hatch unlock. No nothing. Out with one crappy Delco battery and in with new Optima Red Top. 400 miles since then and no problem. We'll see how the rest of the story unfolds.

Regards,
BadAttitude

Oh, and I almost forgot. Looky what we have here! CF.com's number one off-topic juvenile delinquent over here in C6 General actually trying to "help". How cute.

 

The difference between the red and the yellow? Thanks Chad

 

Orange.

Sorry, could not resist. I'm a bad person.

 

The Yellow Top is a deep cycle battery and the Red Top is not. However, they both have the sealed, spiral cell design.

 

So here is my story. Delco in C5 dies after about 3.5 years, so I figure I will buy the best battery I can get. I get a red top. lasts for a little while and leaves me stranded. After much hassle, I get another one. Same story. So I get another one, and it dies. Get a Delco professional and problem cured. Can't get Optima to replace this one. So let me say it again. Crappy batteries, crappy customer service. Three in a row? Nothing more than a waste of money.

 

Ouch. Sorry to hear that Ted. That definitely sucks for you. Good luck with whatever you're using now, sounds like a streak of good luck certainly wouldn't kill you. LOL


BadAttitude

Now then, TedG's abberation aside, everyone else that loves their Optima, pay attention to Miss Thing's install instructions. Maybe we'll keep her out of off-topic. LOL

 

forum delinquent huh?

...that's ok, you've gotta go home with me smartazz.

 

Nomand,What yellow top did you get? Thank you!