General Maintenance & Repairs Leaks | Squeaks | Clunks | Rattles | Grinds
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

Time for a new Battery

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 10, 2006 | 12:13 AM
  #1  
BatmobileSS's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis, MO
Default Time for a new Battery

My original battery has finally crapped out on me. I'm very impressed it's lasted 5+ years and 39k miles.

I'm wondering if I should go back to the AC Delco battery or if any of you want to recommend something else. I don't really drive the car all that much, this was the first time I even tried to start it in 3 weeks. Also, I do have a 400 watt amp in the car.

Any suggestions?
Reply
Old May 10, 2006 | 01:35 AM
  #2  
todddchi's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
20 Year Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,373
Likes: 1
From: Detroit, MI
Default

People hate the Delcos because they can leak. I was highly considering an Optima but they were an extra $40 over a top of the line Sears battery. I was mostly interested in reserve capacity and the die hard was a little better so that's what I got. Some people get the deep cycle Optimas for this reason but I wasn't sure about that path so I avoided it.

A 400 watt amp shouldn't really be a big enough of an issue to warrant a special battery. I have a Memphis amp that has 80 amps of fusing and it's fine with a plain old Die hard.
Reply
Old May 10, 2006 | 12:17 PM
  #3  
Wolfmanjohn's Avatar
Teching In
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: On my way to...Chico, CA
Default

It's tough to beat an Interstate battery. If you read what some of the Corvetteforum members have to say about Optimas, you just might talk yourself out of going that route; seems they suffer sudden failure at higher than usual rates.
Reply
Old May 10, 2006 | 12:21 PM
  #4  
MeentSS02's Avatar
Kleeborp the Moderator™
20 Year Member
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 10,316
Likes: 6
From: Dayton, OH
Default

I've been completely happy with my Optima Red Top...I've killed the thing about 3 times (where it had to be jumped - my fault though), and every time, it has come back like a champ. Just had it tested the other day, and it checked out perfect. I've had it for two years, and I think it'll last for a lot longer.

If you leave the car sitting a lot, I'd suggest looking into a Battery Tender of some sort...once mine becomes a garage queen, it'll be hooked to a tender while it is resting.
Reply
Old May 10, 2006 | 06:21 PM
  #5  
Abe99's Avatar
TECH Regular
20 Year Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 447
Likes: 0
From: Longview, TX
Default

I will be getting an Optima battery when I replace mine.
Reply
Old May 10, 2006 | 07:12 PM
  #6  
boondiggys's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (165)
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 799
Likes: 0
From: NNJ
Default

i got a die hard gold ...it hard to beat how many sears there are over the place...
Reply
Old May 10, 2006 | 07:34 PM
  #7  
2001NBMZ28's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5,398
Likes: 3
From: Jacksonville, FL
Default

At 23K I'm on my third battery - stock Delco, Sears Diehard Gold and now Optima Red Top...lots of short trips but I'm in Florida.
Reply
Old May 10, 2006 | 08:11 PM
  #8  
nostyta's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,552
Likes: 0
From: Rural Retreat VA.
Default

I'm running an Optima red top, have been for a couple of years now and my car goes sometimes a month or two without being started and when I do start it, it fires right up no problems.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

10 Reasons Daily Driving a Swap Project SUCKS! (& 1 Reason to Do It Anyway)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

 Brett Foote
story-2

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-9

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
Old May 10, 2006 | 08:37 PM
  #9  
STRETCH'S T/A's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,332
Likes: 0
From: Lisle, IL
Default

another one with an optima red top.
Reply
Old May 10, 2006 | 11:53 PM
  #10  
BatmobileSS's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis, MO
Default

Thanks for the input. I will be looking into getting a battery soon. I'll be getting the car out of the garage next weekend to go to an F-body meet.
Reply
Old May 11, 2006 | 12:09 AM
  #11  
wamp42's Avatar
Launching!
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: DeKalb/ Yorkville, IL
Default

Where can I get an Optima red top?
Reply
Old May 12, 2006 | 09:03 AM
  #12  
tt2000z28's Avatar
Teching In
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento, California
Default

I used to go thru a new battery each 1.5 years....now my Optima Red Top has lasted 3 and has no signs of any issues.
Optima Red Top..worth every dollar I say
Reply
Old May 12, 2006 | 12:15 PM
  #13  
00T\A's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,286
Likes: 0
From: NW Houston,TX
Default

Optima red top here also
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:50 PM.

story-0
10 Reasons Daily Driving a Swap Project SUCKS! (& 1 Reason to Do It Anyway)

Slideshow: 10 reasons daily-driving a swap project might not be for you. Or is it?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-17 09:39:05


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

Don't get dad new socks or a grill brush this year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 14:55:56


VIEW MORE
story-2
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-18 10:26:23


VIEW MORE
story-3
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-5
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-6
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-7
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE