Optima Yellow or Red?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,002
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From: It's warm in Fla!
CI 6-7-8-9-10-12 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '11
Optima Yellow or Red?
Well, it looks like my original battery won't keep a charge anymore 
( figures... it's out of warranty Tuesday) I went to my local Advance auto parts store and asked about an Optima, to which the counter jockey said the Red top was the only one he showed for an '05 Corvette. I see threads talking about yellow being the correct one, so what'e the consensus? 
Kevin
( figures... it's out of warranty Tuesday) I went to my local Advance auto parts store and asked about an Optima, to which the counter jockey said the Red top was the only one he showed for an '05 Corvette. I see threads talking about yellow being the correct one, so what'e the consensus? Kevin
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 20,933
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From: salem OR
Well, it looks like my original battery won't keep a charge anymore ( figures... it's out of warranty Tuesday) I went to my local Advance auto parts store and asked about an Optima, to which the counter jockey said the Red top was the only one he showed for an '05 Corvette. I see threads talking about yellow being the correct one, so what'e the consensus? Kevin
( figures... it's out of warranty Tuesday) I went to my local Advance auto parts store and asked about an Optima, to which the counter jockey said the Red top was the only one he showed for an '05 Corvette. I see threads talking about yellow being the correct one, so what'e the consensus? Kevin
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,838
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From: San Diego CA
You want an Optima Red. The Yellow is meant for deep discharge applications, not automotive. I put a Red in my '02 Camaro after the Delco leaked all over. I'll never buy another Delco replacement.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
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There's nothing wrong with using a Yellowtop in your car. You'll want the 34/78 in either case. For an everyday starter battery stick with the Redtop.
Me personally I'd go with a Yellowtop since that battery can withstand a deep discharge and Vettes have had a history of beating up batteries.
I also don't think the Delco's manufactured today are of any better or worse quality than Optimas. They're also made by the same company, JCI.
Me personally I'd go with a Yellowtop since that battery can withstand a deep discharge and Vettes have had a history of beating up batteries.
I also don't think the Delco's manufactured today are of any better or worse quality than Optimas. They're also made by the same company, JCI.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,002
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From: It's warm in Fla!
CI 6-7-8-9-10-12 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '11
I got the bright idea to go to Optima's web site (what a novel idea). They recommend a red top, but list a boxed, or unboxed model. What's the difference ??
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Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '08 thru '13
There are 3 models- Red, Yellow and Blue.
Red is standard, Yellow is the Heavy Duty and can stand more discharge with greater reserve capacity, and Blue is the true Deep Cycle, although performance from other users I've talked to seems close to the Yellow. Post config is different on the Blue, which may be an advantage for some applications.
I run a Yellow top in another car, and will put a Yellow top in my C6 when the time comes. Best battery I've ever owned. The reserve is excellent on them, and if you run a big subwoofer (which I do in my other car), there's a lot more <punch> on the low end.
Can't go wrong with a Yellow top. Best prices I've seen on them are at Vato Zone. Sears seems to be pretty good as well- you should be able to find one under 150.
Red is standard, Yellow is the Heavy Duty and can stand more discharge with greater reserve capacity, and Blue is the true Deep Cycle, although performance from other users I've talked to seems close to the Yellow. Post config is different on the Blue, which may be an advantage for some applications.
I run a Yellow top in another car, and will put a Yellow top in my C6 when the time comes. Best battery I've ever owned. The reserve is excellent on them, and if you run a big subwoofer (which I do in my other car), there's a lot more <punch> on the low end.
Can't go wrong with a Yellow top. Best prices I've seen on them are at Vato Zone. Sears seems to be pretty good as well- you should be able to find one under 150.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I have a yellow top Optima in my car. You can use yellow in place of red, but never use red in a yellow application.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
There are 3 models- Red, Yellow and Blue.
Red is standard, Yellow is the Heavy Duty and can stand more discharge with greater reserve capacity, and Blue is the true Deep Cycle, although performance from other users I've talked to seems close to the Yellow. Post config is different on the Blue, which may be an advantage for some applications.
I run a Yellow top in another car, and will put a Yellow top in my C6 when the time comes. Best battery I've ever owned. The reserve is excellent on them, and if you run a big subwoofer (which I do in my other car), there's a lot more <punch> on the low end.
Can't go wrong with a Yellow top. Best prices I've seen on them are at Vato Zone. Sears seems to be pretty good as well- you should be able to find one under 150.
Red is standard, Yellow is the Heavy Duty and can stand more discharge with greater reserve capacity, and Blue is the true Deep Cycle, although performance from other users I've talked to seems close to the Yellow. Post config is different on the Blue, which may be an advantage for some applications.
I run a Yellow top in another car, and will put a Yellow top in my C6 when the time comes. Best battery I've ever owned. The reserve is excellent on them, and if you run a big subwoofer (which I do in my other car), there's a lot more <punch> on the low end.
Can't go wrong with a Yellow top. Best prices I've seen on them are at Vato Zone. Sears seems to be pretty good as well- you should be able to find one under 150.
FYI There are two blue tops. If has a gray container it is the same guts as a yellow top, if it has black container, it has the same guts as a red top.
Melting Slicks
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From: Eastern PA:ECS Paxton Novi 1500(676rwhp,585tq on stock engine),LG headers, 410's, Corsa Sports, ECS Alky Kit
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Ive got the Redtop in my car after the Delco crapped out. No problems with it at all. Sears carries them.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 132
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From: Austin TX
Why does the Optima site refer to a part number that no auto parts store in Austin, TX has a clue about. All of them refer only to a model 3478 or 3575. Will the 3478 DEFINITELY work in my '05 coupe?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,838
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From: San Diego CA
The Optima has been fine. Got it at Costco. FYI, there was a manual there giving the correct battery model for any given application.
PHOTOSHOP SPECIALIST
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St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
You can read more information at this website:
http://www.1st-optima-batteries.com
