posted
My battery has just started leaking a little bit, so I figure this spring, when I wake up the beast, I'll buy a replacement. Hell, I got 6 years out of it. So which brand does everyone recommend I use?
-------------------- Jim Mac '98 Silver SS #108 Posts: 1907 | From: I hope I'm not repeating myself. Again. And Again. Stop picking on me! Waaahhh!! | Registered: Feb 2000
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Sears carries Optimas now so you can check out both of them.
-------------------- Mark H.
Whoever said you couldn't run away from your problems obviously wasn't driving an SS. Posts: 942 | From: Santa Barbara and Ventura, CA | Registered: Feb 2000
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posted
I was going to look at optima's also..supposed to be tough and leak free...
Posts: 191 | From: Hudson Valley New York | Registered: Sep 2002
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-------------------- My Cars: 2000 Bright Rally Red Camaro SS Convertible 2002 Electron Metallic Blue Berger SS T-Top 2004 Silver Birch Metallic Silverado 2500HD Duramax Ext. Cab. S.B. 4x4
posted
I went with a Sears Die Hard. Always had good luck with them, and warranteed everywhere!
-------------------- Hawkeye: SSOA F98-C98
1998 SS - Black All Options - Mods Whisper Lid, K & N, Lou's Short Stick, Shift Light, Skip Shift, SLP Y, Borla, 4:10's, BMR STB, SLP SFCs, Granatelli MAF, Hypertech III, 160 Stat, Mallory Billet Pedals, Metco Aluminum LCAs,Fast Toys Ram Air Mod, Spohn Panhard Bar, BMR Torque Arm, free EGR mod,power antenna, BMR LCA brackets, Gentex Temp/Compass Auto Dim Mirror, AllMaxx Strobe and Wig Wag, BAER Eradispeed rotors,PPC Headers with Random Technology Hi Flow Cats, BMR Drive shaft Loop,FAST 78MM Throttle Body, FAST 78MM Composite Intake, Mobil 1 & lots of Zaino.
Wife & Best Friend Mary - copilot. Posts: 5558 | From: Windsor, Ontario. Canada | Registered: Feb 2000
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posted
Optima Redtop. Only had it for about 6 months but no complaints. I like the technology they're built with.
Posts: 129 | From: Austin, TX, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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posted
Just replaced mine with an Optima Red Top! Went to start the car last weekend and it was completely dead. Jumping it barely even helped so I figured if I was going to spend the money I might as well get the best one so I got the Optima.
posted
I normally go with a DieHard due to their reputation and availability/warranty, But last year I swapped my Delco in my 35th for an Optima because it advertises long no start periods and holding of charge, sealed for no leaks in my baby and of coarse the Red top matches my car very well...haha.
The Delco battery however is still fine and dont see a reason to count them out either, It was my truck that needed a battery and I chose that as opertunity to add the Optima to the 35th and put the Delco in my truck, one of the coldest winter ever here in New England this year including the coldest windchills and that Delco fired up every time and the truck has been outside. My experience and .02 Al
-------------------- 2002 35th LE # 115, SLP build # 986, T-top, 6 spd, 345hp OEM lid/CME, SLP Long Tubes, Random cats, SLP strut tower brace, SLP bolt on subframe connectors, adjustable billet lower control arms, adjustable billet pannard bar, SLP MAF sensor, smooth bellows, reusable Blackwing filter, Red Top Optima battery, Mobil 1 oil cap, Pro-5.0 shifter/shortened 1 1/2", 35th car cover, 35th floor mats, GM trophy mat, GM portfolio, SLP portfolio, key fobs/dash plaque(not installed), GM OPTIONS...traction control, rear defogger, 12 disk changer Polished ZO6 Dante replica wheels with BFG Gforce tires, rears are 18X10.5 with 295 35 18 tires, fronts are 18X9.5 with 240 40 18 tires.
posted
optima only way to go . just look at the older cars with the acid eaten tray and radiator support ,also tends to rust the hood a bit over lond periods . buy it
Posts: 42 | From: OLYMPIA ,WASHINGTON | Registered: Aug 2003
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-------------------- SLP OEM air-lid (painted) with Donaldson filter and CAI, GMMG Chambered exhaust,GMS 200 MPH white gauges,3.73 Rear Axle, SS grille with silver logo, 5-Spoke ZR-1 Chrome Plated Wheels, SS Front Floor Mats, Commemorative Portfolio, Custom FRC's, D Goetz signature series SFC's and STB, Gentex Mirror, Power antenna,T/A shifter handle,clear corners, 160 Therm., HPP3 and Silver SS emblems with 345 hp decals painted calipers with Camaro decal car # 10252 41U Onyx Black -1 of 174 A4 verts
posted
I've been told elsewhere that the Optima's tend to lose their charge if the vehcile isn't run for a while. Given that my vehicle fits that description, I'm concerned about that. Has anyone experienced this?
Posts: 1907 | From: I hope I'm not repeating myself. Again. And Again. Stop picking on me! Waaahhh!! | Registered: Feb 2000
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posted
I like Energizer batteries. That damn rabbit is just too cool in my book. He just keeps going and going.... hahaha
I think I just put in another AC Delco battery. It lasted over 7 years so why not. I think the Optima is a stronger battery. But I haven't heard anything bad about them.
Posts: 1031 | From: Germantown, MD USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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quote:Originally posted by Jim Mac: I've been told elsewhere that the Optima's tend to lose their charge if the vehcile isn't run for a while. Given that my vehicle fits that description, I'm concerned about that. Has anyone experienced this?
My car sat for weeks with no problems.. you could go with the yellow top as i think it has a deeper cycle..
Oh, if you go with the larger red top (or yellow) AND you want to run the nice cover then you need to do a minor mod to the battery tray (remove the wedge)..
-------------------- Had a blingin' 2000 SS
Now I have a "soon to be" blingin' LS1 powered 1969 SS
posted
My red Camaro has been sitting for MONTHS, with the alarm on, and fired right up with my Red Top.
-------------------- My Cars: 2000 Bright Rally Red Camaro SS Convertible 2002 Electron Metallic Blue Berger SS T-Top 2004 Silver Birch Metallic Silverado 2500HD Duramax Ext. Cab. S.B. 4x4
quote:Originally posted by Jim Mac: I've been told elsewhere that the Optima's tend to lose their charge if the vehcile isn't run for a while. Given that my vehicle fits that description, I'm concerned about that. Has anyone experienced this?
My car sat for weeks with no problems.. you could go with the yellow top as i think it has a deeper cycle..
Oh, if you go with the larger red top (or yellow) AND you want to run the nice cover then you need to do a minor mod to the battery tray (remove the wedge)..
Are there 2 different Red tops ? Will the yellow or red fir without any problems. And part #'s please if there are 2 different sizes for the same color.
Posts: 3091 | From: Canton Mi. | Registered: Oct 2002
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posted
Odyssey is another high tech option. Haven't had any experience with one though.
Posts: 4222 | From: Winnipeg MB CA | Registered: Feb 2000
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posted
I just noticed on the weekend that the little window in my original battery was no longer green. The car was still OK to start the car, but from the looks of it, this battery was probably on its last legs - after almost 6 years to the day that the car was built! (Mar 13/98). Bought a replacement AC Delco with our club discount at Roy Foss Motors. Interestingly enough, the parts guy gave me a 650 CC Amp battery (6 yr.) and the original I pulled out of the car when I got home today was 525 CC Amps (5 yr.) All for the better, I guess. BTW, the battery tray was just a little dirty and cleaned up nicely - no sign whatsover of battery acid leakage.
posted
I had a red top optima in my truck for about a year and a half. Recharged it at least 2 dozen times because the air ride kept on draining it while we built the truck. Took it in the other day and ABC Auto replaced it (with receipt). Says a lot to me...
posted
Here is another place I've found that sells the cover for Optimas , BTW I have two Optimas in my Camaro , one red top for starting battery and one yellow in rear for the massive stereo but have not bought a cover yet
Here is the page , a little more cost but polished
posted
Here's some info on another battery that Sam Strano carries:
FYI-New Product-Odyssey Batterys
We stock the line of Odyssey batteries. These are real race batteries that you can also drive on the street. Not fancy motorcycle batteries that'll be dead when you need them or have weak voltage and cause you fuel injection to act funny. Odyssey's are also much lighter than a standard battery as well
There are also other models, both bigger and smaller available. Those are the 3 that get used in most real cars.
What's so nice about these batteries? They have lots of advantages......
The biggest for us is the weight. A PC680MJT can easily be driven around daily in a normal car. It weighs between 15-16 lbs. We use one in an M3 in place of the 900 pound stock battery (okay, the battery is about 50 pounds).
Mounting: Put it where you want, how you want. Odyssey's are sealed, if you want to position it on it's side, go ahead. Odyssey's are also extremely tolerant to vibration and other beatings.
Longer storage life. Odyssey's will maintain 50% state of charge after 2 years in stored @ room temperature. At lower temps, storage time is even longer. Normal batteries should be recharged every 6-12 weeks for reliable operation.
Deep cycle power. 100% deep cycle battery. 70% of reserve power can be drained and the remaining 30% will provide enough amperage to for solid starts. An Odyssey also has up 60% MORE cranking power than an equal sized conventional battery. And how about the ability to be recharged and useable up to 400 times after COMPLETE discharging, and 500 times if you discharge it to 80% (which won't happen if you have an alternator).
Full two-year warranty as well. Not many "race" parts have warranties.
I can ship them anywhere. Because they are sealed, they aren't subject to the DOT's rules on shipping wet batteries. Can even be shipped by air freight......
Posts: 942 | From: Santa Barbara and Ventura, CA | Registered: Feb 2000
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