Optima Battery; C6 vs. C5?
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: Tyler Tx
The C-5 and 2005 C-6 should be the same battery, the 2006 C-6 uses a reversed post battery, I just installed a red top in my 2006, I had little problem finding the correct battery, I do not know about the 2007s.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,591
Likes: 53
From: Central MN
Cool. Thanks.
The input from fellow Corvette enthusiast on this site is wonderful.
When I sold my C5, I replace the Optima battery with a cheapie battery from Fleet Farm. The battery has been on a tender since 05/05 and is fully charged. Given all the problems I'm reading about regarding the stock GM battery, I plan on swapping out the GM battery with the Optima. (I'll keep the GM battery on a tender and put it back in when I sell the C6 for a C7.)
The input from fellow Corvette enthusiast on this site is wonderful.
When I sold my C5, I replace the Optima battery with a cheapie battery from Fleet Farm. The battery has been on a tender since 05/05 and is fully charged. Given all the problems I'm reading about regarding the stock GM battery, I plan on swapping out the GM battery with the Optima. (I'll keep the GM battery on a tender and put it back in when I sell the C6 for a C7.)
Pro
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 678
Likes: 0
From: St. Augustine FL
Thanks.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Great move! The only issue is that you have to vent it. If you don't have a means of venting, you could end up with fumes in the car. Optima makes a battery for the diesel PT Cruiser (not sold in the US) that has vent tube ports on it. Also, the new Optima 51 has vent ports on it also.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
From: oceanside N.Y.
Great move! The only issue is that you have to vent it. If you don't have a means of venting, you could end up with fumes in the car. Optima makes a battery for the diesel PT Cruiser (not sold in the US) that has vent tube ports on it. Also, the new Optima 51 has vent ports on it also.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
The Optima needs to be vented and that is why it has the two round holes on the top about 1/2 inch round. The new 51 has actually vent tube ports built into it so that you can vent it to the outside of the vehicle. Optima's don't gas much, but if your alternator goes nuts one day, you will end up with allot of gassing.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I just looked at your profile and you have a 2005 with manual trans. Are sure it wasn't the car that drained the battery? Optima is better than a regular battery, but it still go dead if a module on the car is on.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,591
Likes: 53
From: Central MN
Just swapped out the OEM battery with the Optima yellow top (5 yrs. old) and everything fit perfectly.
SickRick.........You either had a DBS incident or your yellow top is defective. In either case, have it looked at.
SickRick.........You either had a DBS incident or your yellow top is defective. In either case, have it looked at.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,450
Likes: 371
From: Maryville TN
St. Jude Donor '06-13,'16-'17, '19
Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I think C5 batteries were side post batteries except for the 2004 C5. I remember they switched to the top post batteries because the side post tended to leak batery acid.
Tom
Tom
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
You are correct. GM also changed battery suppliers for the Corvette. Delphi was supplying them until 2003 and in 2004 JCI started supplying the Corvette. Just remember that the Delco name is owned by GM, so that can have anyone make the product.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Liquordale Florida
Dead cell on the battery, cost $56 (pro-rated) for replacement. Wouldn't take a charge, read 12.5 surface volts but no CCA.
When these go dead, do NOT expect a "normal" car to jump start you. AAA truck with booster had to come out and jump me. Got it home and had a friend drive me & the dead one to PepBoys for my replacement.
Yet and still - I'll stay with the Optima, due to the high current draw my stereo puts on the car.
Rick
