Sorry for the length, but there is a happy ending.

I have a 06 C6 A6 base coupe with a Walmart Everstart Maxx group 31 battery dated 5/22 that was installed in the car when I bought it from a Chevy dealership in Michigan last year. I have always kept it on a NOCO battery maintainer, so I have never had a single problem with the charge level of the battery.

But, at some point in the past before I bought it, the original factory battery cable clamps had been cut off, about 1/2" of the cable insulation removed from each cable and new, cheap cable clamps bolted on (the clamps had a groove with a piece of metal that bolted on over the cable ends). They worked but I hated them because there was corrosion on the exposed cable strands. I have never cared for the style of the factory Corvette cable clamps, so I got the Duralast clamps from Autozone that have been shown in this forum. Much cleaner option.

Then a couple weeks ago, while driving, I started hearing a clunking noise whenever I hit a bump. I thought I had lost a suspension bushing but after a lot of checking, it turned out that the battery was loose and that was the source of the noise. I removed and replaced the battery hold down block and tightened the bolt. But, a week or so later, the clunking noise returned and the battery was loose again. The group 31 Everstart Max battery is apparently just a little too narrow for the battery base hold down system, so instead of messing with it or getting a different battery, I went to Amazon and got a new traditional style battery hold down clamp. Now all of the battery connections (cable clamps and battery hold down clamp) are updated and reliable. Life is good again.

 

Definitely the wrong battery group size for your Corvette. The battery terminals should be on the front of the battery instead of in the back, as yours are and the negative clamp is hidden underneath the hood hinge latch. I assume the prior owner needed to alter the battery group size when they cut & shortened the battery cables and they probably will not fit if the terminals were located in the front of the battery.

What you have done is a definite improvement over the original alteration by the previous owner.

GD

 

I just replaced my battery with Walmart battery, and it called for #86, which fits perfect and block locks it in properly.

Just check and make sure you got the correct battery for your C6?

 

Whatever works. Looking at your pic, you have a Group 34....not 31. Make sure the 34 Reserve Capacity is not lower than you expect for a C6 battery.

 

Thanks for the replies, great information! I did mis-type, it is a group 34 battery with 800 CCA so it does have sufficient power. This is my first Corvette and didn't know to check the battery configuration when I bought it because the battery was brand new and worked great and still continues to. This battery was installed in the car when I bought it from a Chevy dealership in northern Michigan. As far as I know, they bought and installed the battery, but I do not know who cut off the factory battery cable terminal clamps.

When the battery does reach the end of its life, I will get the proper battery and will replace the cables so they reach the front of the battery. I haven't studied what is involved with removing and replacing the cables, but it looks like a bit of a job as it goes behind the engine.

Until then, the battery is in very good working condition, is well secured and has good terminal clamps. Nothing I have done has made it any worse than it was and there is nothing preventing it from being fully restored to the original configuration if that is what I decide to do.

Thanks again! 👍
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I wouldn't bother changing back to the GM battery when this one dies. It is just more money and less warranty (in my case it was over twice the price with less than half the replacement warranty period when compared to the Walmart battery).

Also, you've got your current setup nailed down now, so at the most, I would check to see if a Walmart Type 86 battery would work with your shortened cables, and if not, get another Type 34 and carry on. There is nothing wrong with using a Walmart battery. They are actually better than some of the "name" brands offerings or at the very least, the absolute equivalent with the only difference being the sticker applied on the same assembly line.

 

Thanks! Sometimes, the easiest solution is the best solution.

 

The correct Walmart battery is a T5.

The OE GM combo positive/negative replacement cable is 20835504. They were hard to find for awhile.

See some on

 

Does that cable set have enough length to cut off the factory battery terminal clamps and fit better terminal clamps? I do not care for the factory terminal clamps.

 

I would have to say Yes, as other forum members have had to replace their corroded battery cable clamps using the stock configuration (battery & cables) and it worked out well.

Your only problem that I see with what you have is: 1) removing/installing the negative cable is a tight fit; and: 2) looks like you may have to remove the battery to change out the cabin air filter. (if you haven't already, you should do this as a maintenance item)

Other than that, what you have works.

GD

 

What would be the reason for replacing your cable if you want the same setup that you have now?

Not sure all the disdain for the factory cable clamps. Mine have served me well for 17 years. Still look the same as the day I picked the car up. Of course I have only pulled terminals off (for either battery replacement or to cut power for service) maybe 6 times. Just don't lose the special nut and try to do a workaround.