I need to buy a battery cranking amps?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
The GM spec for the Vette requires a CCA of 500A and a reserve capacity of 80 minutes. my Yellow Top gives quite a bit more than that minimum.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,482
Likes: 1,071
From: Chester County Pennsylvania
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Buy the AC Delco Professional replacement battery for your year and you will be fine.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 83
From: . New York
The original RC of 80 was low for the parasitic drain the C5 has. Many do better with an RC of 100 or 120. See link below for the explanation from Paul K (world class certified vette specialist).
http://vettetube.com/view_video.php?...25f49408d959ca
http://vettetube.com/view_video.php?...25f49408d959ca
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,962
Likes: 254
From: Richmond, Ky
The original RC of 80 was low for the parasitic drain the C5 has. Many do better with an RC of 100 or 120. See link below for the explanation from Paul K (world class certified vette specialist).
http://vettetube.com/view_video.php?...25f49408d959ca
http://vettetube.com/view_video.php?...25f49408d959ca
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
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
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
The original RC of 80 was low for the parasitic drain the C5 has. Many do better with an RC of 100 or 120. See link below for the explanation from Paul K (world class certified vette specialist).
http://vettetube.com/view_video.php?...25f49408d959ca
http://vettetube.com/view_video.php?...25f49408d959ca
Go with an AC-Delco 78-6yr or 7yr, starting around $108. gives you a reserve capacity of 120 and a 30-50 month free replacement.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Even though the new ones are fine, I'm afraid that having had a leaking AC Delco I'd go with another brand but thats just me. I still feel strongly about the trouble we had with the early OEM batteries.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
I've been running AC-Delco in my '01 since new, never considered worrying about leakage. That was one model, and one group from the manufacturer parts runs, the issue was fixed. So nearly 10 years have gone by without any further incidence of leakage.
I think you're being a bit hard on the brand name.
But like many things on the vehicle, some people just don't like them. Another example is mention the AC-Delco Bose stereo....eeek.
Some people still prefer the gel batteries, just on the safe side. AC-Delco ended their AGM battery. Of course the price on them can shock you.
So whatever you decide on, just make sure you meet the minimum requirements and at least 120RC.
I think you're being a bit hard on the brand name.
But like many things on the vehicle, some people just don't like them. Another example is mention the AC-Delco Bose stereo....eeek.
Some people still prefer the gel batteries, just on the safe side. AC-Delco ended their AGM battery. Of course the price on them can shock you.
So whatever you decide on, just make sure you meet the minimum requirements and at least 120RC.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I've been running AC-Delco in my '01 since new, never considered worrying about leakage. That was one model, and one group from the manufacturer parts runs, the issue was fixed. So nearly 10 years have gone by without any further incidence of leakage.
I think you're being a bit hard on the brand name.
But like many things on the vehicle, some people just don't like them. Another example is mention the AC-Delco Bose stereo....eeek.
Some people still prefer the gel batteries, just on the safe side. AC-Delco ended their AGM battery. Of course the price on them can shock you.
So whatever you decide on, just make sure you meet the minimum requirements and at least 120RC.
I think you're being a bit hard on the brand name.
But like many things on the vehicle, some people just don't like them. Another example is mention the AC-Delco Bose stereo....eeek.
Some people still prefer the gel batteries, just on the safe side. AC-Delco ended their AGM battery. Of course the price on them can shock you.
So whatever you decide on, just make sure you meet the minimum requirements and at least 120RC.
Take your point and I have no doubt that AC Delco have fixed the problem
I'm one of those old fashioned customers. I'm loyal until a Company lets me down. At that point I switch loyalties and I'll tell anyone who will listen. Luckily the leaker only damaged the garage floor but the whole battery problem was my biggest issue with OEM parts in the Corvette C5.
FWIW when I replace my Yellow Top I'll probably go with a lead acid again.
Last edited by DeeGee; May 24, 2011 at 01:23 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 16,270
Likes: 30
From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Take your point and I have no doubt that AC Delco have fixed the problem
I'm one of those old fashioned customers. I'm loyal until a Company lets me down. At that point I switch loyalties and I'll tell anyone who will listen. Luckily the leaker only damaged the garage floor but the whole battery problem was my biggest issue with OEM parts in the Corvette C5.
FWIW when I replace my Yellow Top I'll probably go with a lead acid again.
I'm one of those old fashioned customers. I'm loyal until a Company lets me down. At that point I switch loyalties and I'll tell anyone who will listen. Luckily the leaker only damaged the garage floor but the whole battery problem was my biggest issue with OEM parts in the Corvette C5.
FWIW when I replace my Yellow Top I'll probably go with a lead acid again.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
I understand what you mean tho, as I wait for a new set of manifold gaskets and foam pads to arrive so I can install my third oil pressure sender from none other than AC-Delco (China). Now granted the first one lasted ten yrs or around 60k, the second one just 5 months. Shall we take some wagers on how long this one will last??
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
Randy that's right I forgot the actual issue was identified as over tightening the hold down bolt. Silly me, I know this too because I always make sure I torque that bolt when I have installed mine. Thanks!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
This was the impact when the terminal broke on the originals:
All fixed now so don't let me put anyone off buying an AC Delco.
Last edited by DeeGee; May 24, 2011 at 02:45 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 160
From: Lafayette Louisiana
Also if you don't drive every day the lower amp batteries will run down quickly. After you run a battery all the way down it's never the same again. I replaced two finding this out.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
I had a battery post shear on my C4 coupe, happened when I stopped off at Ecklers one Saturday. Came out, went to start the car and nothing - dead. Open the hood and touch the battery cables, the positive fell off. It didn't look anything close to the picture above. Just a clean break on the post itself. If I remember correctly it was an Interstate battery.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,536
Likes: 24,826
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
I bought a Sears DieHard Platinum battery for mine. Not sure of the ratings, but I do know they were much higher than the minimum recommended.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 83
From: . New York
For those thinking of going with a Die Hard Platinum, be advised that if you walk into Sears and tell them you have a 97-04 Corvette their computer may say that you need a
P3 75/86DT CCA 710 RC 90
The correct Die Hard Platinum battery for the C5 is a
P4 34/78DT CCA 880 RC 135
Regarding the P3
This battery is smaller than your tray, and when they first gave me this one I installed it, tourqued the terminals and cranked the hold down bracket as tight as it would go. Ive been using a Ctek Battery charger for some time now so the lower RC did not effect me at first. What did affect me was in testing the car after doing C6Z51 sways, shocks and endlinks I kept getting a "thunk" on hard cornering. We went over and over the suspension work looking for the cause of that thunk.
As a last resort I grabbed the battery and pushed on it.......yup.....thunk
OMG, it was sliding back and forth in the tray, how embarrasing 
At any rate, this battery is small for the tray and IMO has too low an RC for a C5.
Regarding the P4
Fits the tray, and has more CCA and the better RC.
Yup, they are heavy but they wont leak and I no longer have to worry about it not starting if Im away on vacation.
Works for me
P3 75/86DT CCA 710 RC 90
The correct Die Hard Platinum battery for the C5 is a
P4 34/78DT CCA 880 RC 135
Regarding the P3
This battery is smaller than your tray, and when they first gave me this one I installed it, tourqued the terminals and cranked the hold down bracket as tight as it would go. Ive been using a Ctek Battery charger for some time now so the lower RC did not effect me at first. What did affect me was in testing the car after doing C6Z51 sways, shocks and endlinks I kept getting a "thunk" on hard cornering. We went over and over the suspension work looking for the cause of that thunk.
As a last resort I grabbed the battery and pushed on it.......yup.....thunk
OMG, it was sliding back and forth in the tray, how embarrasing At any rate, this battery is small for the tray and IMO has too low an RC for a C5.
Regarding the P4
Fits the tray, and has more CCA and the better RC.
Yup, they are heavy but they wont leak and I no longer have to worry about it not starting if Im away on vacation.
Works for me
