Optima Batteries in a C6?
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 4,945
Likes: 0
From: Dallas/Valley Ranch TEXAS!!!
I run 2 yellow top Optima batteries in my setup, one in each "cubby hole" in the rear, I do this for the high demand my setup has on the electrical system. I had previous issues with the alternator and electrical system in general because of the high output needed. After these additions I've had zero issues to report...
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
The OPTIMA is not a gel acid battery. Its a standard lead acid battery with a spiral wound cells. I had one in my 02 ZO6. The first one lasted a few months and completely died. Replacement lasted 5 years before it started to have issues.
I decided to use a standard WALMART battery. It only $65. and all the other walmart batteries that I have in my jeeps last 5-6 years easy.
Unless your mounting them in some weird position, thats the only reason to spend that much extra for a battery.
BC
I decided to use a standard WALMART battery. It only $65. and all the other walmart batteries that I have in my jeeps last 5-6 years easy.
Unless your mounting them in some weird position, thats the only reason to spend that much extra for a battery.
BC
VETERAN
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 512
Likes: 114
From: Owings Maryland
Red top
I have had a red top now for a year in my C6 Coupe and it has been great. Approximately ~~900 cranking/starting amps and it is impressive.
Used a Red Top in my 911 now for 6 years no problems yet.
This red top also looks cool. Same weight as the Delco too.
I bought it because it has more starting power. For any battery, if you don't drive the car oftern, you must keep a battery tender on it or you will hurt the battery life.
Cheers,
Fuze
Used a Red Top in my 911 now for 6 years no problems yet.
This red top also looks cool. Same weight as the Delco too.
I bought it because it has more starting power. For any battery, if you don't drive the car oftern, you must keep a battery tender on it or you will hurt the battery life.
Cheers,
Fuze
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,459
Likes: 18
From: Oviedo,FL. Las Vegas
you are lucky
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,610
Likes: 12
Red top 2+ years and starts the car every morning. When my OEM Delco died at 5 years, I had to get a battery immediately before I turned the car off. Autozone had only the Red Tops & Yellow Tops matched to the Corvette that day. A very agreeable looking blond offered to drop it in for me. I found myself saying 
No green fuzzy stuff around the terminals like my old Delco. It weighs the same as the Delco though. I swap it out for a light weight (6.6 oz) Braille Carbon Fiber battery for the track (as well as other lightening measures.)
No green fuzzy stuff around the terminals like my old Delco. It weighs the same as the Delco though. I swap it out for a light weight (6.6 oz) Braille Carbon Fiber battery for the track (as well as other lightening measures.)
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 7,795
Likes: 2
From: Noblesville Indiana
CI 7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05
I put a yellow top in m 07 last spring - no problems so far. I also put a red top in my old C5 after the OEM battery leaked acid. I had the red top for three years with no problems.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,907
Likes: 3
From: Jupiter Florida
05 C6...Yellow top and is 6 months old...so no problems as of yet. Will say when I have the C6 sitting for a period of time (longest was two weeks) and I place it on the Ctek unit it takes only about 1 hour to go from red to green status... the OEM battery if left off tender for 3 days would require entire night to go from red to green.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: Casper WY
I have a red top in my C6 that I just replaced after 2 years. It was at a shop being worked on for the last year and I am sure they didn't shift to reverse or start it often enough so it was totally dead. I removed it and hauled it up to Sam's Club and exchanged it for a new one and came home and reinstalled it. Now I am warrantied for another 3 years with full replacement. It may not be an issue on a C6 but what I like about them is the instant delivery of full capacity if needed. Example. I had a Die Hard Gold in my Explorer years ago with a very powerful stereo system. When the bass would hit my headlights would dim and almost turn off. I replaced the alternator with a high output alternator and installed a big capacitor. Still happened. I was told to try an Optima so I did and it could recycle its power quick enough that it wouldn't dim the lights. I have an aux fuel system and will be adding meth injection soon and would probably not have an issue with a quality regular battery for half the price but my Optima was $139 at Sams with a 3yr replacement warranty and it has worked well. I don't think they or any battery takes to being drained down to low voltage or dead. Just my thoughts.
Last edited by THECRAIGMEISTER; Jan 11, 2011 at 12:54 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,307
Likes: 111
From: Tucson AZ
I am in the other camp.
I have never had good luck with Interstate batteries and had very good luck with Optima batteries.
I just installed an Optima Red Top 35 in my Z06. It saves 5# over the OEM battery and fits well, although I had to use a different retaining bracket.
I searched online and Advance Auto Parts had a 20% off coupon and they delivered it to my door for $140.
I have never had good luck with Interstate batteries and had very good luck with Optima batteries.
I just installed an Optima Red Top 35 in my Z06. It saves 5# over the OEM battery and fits well, although I had to use a different retaining bracket.
I searched online and Advance Auto Parts had a 20% off coupon and they delivered it to my door for $140.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,718
From: Springfield MO
I have a red top in my C6 that I just replaced after 2 years. It was at a shop being worked on for the last year and I am sure they didn't shift to reverse or start it often enough so it was totally dead. I removed it and hauled it up to Sam's Club and exchanged it for a new one and came home and reinstalled it. Now I am warrantied for another 3 years with full replacement. It may not be an issue on a C6 but what I like about them is the instant delivery of full capacity if needed. Example. I had a Die Hard Gold in my Explorer years ago with a very powerful stereo system. When the bass would hit my headlights would dim and almost turn off. I replaced the alternator with a high output alternator and installed a big capacitor. Still happened. I was told to try an Optima so I did and it could recycle its power quick enough that it wouldn't dim the lights. I have an aux fuel system and will be adding meth injection soon and would probably not have an issue with a quality regular battery for half the price but my Optima was $139 at Sams with a 3yr replacement warranty and it has worked well. I don't think they or any battery takes to being drained down to low voltage or dead. Just my thoughts.
AutoZone warrants their batteries for 8 years. Three years free replacement and pro-rated for eight years. That's five years more warranty then an Optima.
Last edited by JoesC5; Jan 11, 2011 at 09:10 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
Likes: 1,255
From: Saint Albans, WV
According to Optima's website regarding their warranty, they have a three year free replacement guarantee. If the battery fails before the three years is up, they will replace the battery, free of charge, but the warranty on the replacement battery is what ever remains of the original warrant. If the original Optima goes south in 18 months, they will replace it, but you will only have 18 months of warranty on the replacement battery.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
According to Optima's website regarding their warranty, they have a three year free replacement guarantee. If the battery fails before the three years is up, they will replace the battery, free of charge, but the warranty on the replacement battery is what ever remains of the original warrant. If the original Optima goes south in 18 months, they will replace it, but you will only have 18 months of warranty on the replacement battery.
Hell, it could have been dirty / improperly attached battery cables for that matter.
The OPTIMA battery is NOT MAGIC! Its a standard lead acid battery... PERIOD!!
Sure,, it has spiral wound cells and a better sealing system. Some people are being duped into purchasing them because there SO MUCH BETTER than the standard battery. it just is not true.
Its a good battery but the price of it out weighs the benefit. If I had a vehicle that needed the battery mounted in a unique (other than vertical) position, I would recommend it hands down. For a C5 corvette, that just isn't the case.
BC
Last edited by Bill Curlee; Jan 11, 2011 at 09:30 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,172
Likes: 71
From: MA
Optima is an AGM battery
The OPTIMA is not a gel acid battery. Its a standard lead acid battery with a spiral wound cells. I had one in my 02 ZO6. The first one lasted a few months and completely died. Replacement lasted 5 years before it started to have issues.
I decided to use a standard WALMART battery. It only $65. and all the other walmart batteries that I have in my jeeps last 5-6 years easy.
Unless your mounting them in some weird position, thats the only reason to spend that much extra for a battery.
BC
I decided to use a standard WALMART battery. It only $65. and all the other walmart batteries that I have in my jeeps last 5-6 years easy.
Unless your mounting them in some weird position, thats the only reason to spend that much extra for a battery.
BC
AGM spiral wound batteries do not leak and are more vibration proof. Normal AGM batteries (Red top) do NOT like to be deep discharged. They are designed for daily drivers. So if you let them sit you can discharge the battery beyond the recovery point. Use a battery maintainer and it should last a long time. Otherwise get the more expensive yellow top.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 569
Likes: 23
From: Venice Florida
I have been buying'pre-owned' optima's from a local Interstate Battery distributor for half the money of new, the majority of optima's that are warranted are just dead, they charge them up and they are good to go. I have had two that were turned in for adjustment (one red & one yellow) that were a couple years old, all they needed was to be charged up properly. I now have 3 more years on them with no issues. If you use a tender go red, no tender go yellow. If your optima gets deeply discharged you will have to put another battery in series between the optima and the charger to charge it. I think there may be something about this procedure on Optima or Interstate's web site.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 47
From: Waukesha WI
St. Jude Donor '15
Personally, I wouldn't run an Optima unless I had a real pressing need for it - odd mounting location, extreme shock or vibration, etc. I do have an Optima in one of my Vettes but I won't be buying another when this one dies. The price to benefit is just not there. They are OK for a DD but I would never put one in a rarely driven car.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 267
Likes: 24
From: Soddy Daisy TN
I replaced the original 4 year old battery with no problems (only because of age and I was getting ready to take a long trip) on my 05 with a Optima yellow top. It lasted 8 months. I "always" use a battery tender when the car isn't driven for more than two days.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,025
Likes: 2,716
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13