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optima yellow top and alternator

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Old Jun 26, 2008 | 10:29 PM
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Default optima yellow top and alternator

I'm looking for the exact size of a opptima yellow top battery for my car. Also, I am looking for information on high output alternators. i.e. brand, amp size, price anything like that.
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Old Jun 27, 2008 | 07:26 AM
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Look into alterstart, I just got a 200a one for $270 shipped off ebay, not sure on the bettery, I got the red top !
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Old Jun 27, 2008 | 08:22 AM
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Car batteries don't come in exact sizes - they come in group sizes. The group size codes incorporate such things as maximum physical size, voltage, terminal type, and terminal placement. Our cars take the 75 group which is a side-terminal battery no more than about 9" x 7" with positive on the right. The 25 group is the same physical size but with top terminals. Optima batteries have both side and top terminals so they classify them as 75/25.
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Old Jun 27, 2008 | 10:31 AM
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I hate the yellow tops, all the hype I heard about them and the two I had in both cars didn't last or work as advertised. Back to AC Delco and no issues.
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Old Jun 27, 2008 | 11:23 AM
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I use a yellow top (fried one due to lack of decent alternator after 4 years of abuse). Second yellow top and a 235 amp alternator installed (Alterstart Load Boss). My electrical system is so good now I have almost no lights dimming when the bass hits.
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Old Jun 27, 2008 | 01:20 PM
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so the word is use a alterstart load boss 235 amp and 75/25 yellow top optima. When I searched this topic before posting this, many people talked about a bigger battery size something like an 84/ 34...any more on this??? The Optima wesite quotes a 75/ 25 as the correct size but I want first had knowledge.
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Old Jun 27, 2008 | 04:16 PM
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i have had the yellow top for 3 or 4 years now (the 75/25) and have never had a problem with it, with the older batteries, they kept having trouble holding a charge after winter (the car sat in the garage with the battery disconnected). Do the same thing with the yellow top and works perfect. I have a red top in a yukon and we had to have that one replaced once within a year, but since then its been ok
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Old Jun 27, 2008 | 04:50 PM
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I understoand all about the pros and cons of the Optima battery...What I need is input on the BATTRY SIZE for the car and why I haven seen other posts about an Optima battery in stalled at a different size than the Optima website shows...website shows 75/25 others in the posts have used something like a 78/34. I would also appreciate info on a good price for it and where to get it. The other question is on a alternator- I am looking for brand, part number, price, where to buy etc. I am set on the fact that I need a yellow top Optima and a HO alternator. I just need to know battery size and alternator size (amps) price, etc. Thanks
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Old Jun 27, 2008 | 05:25 PM
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Yeah, the 75/25 yellow top is correct that's what I have in my car.

For alts. I got mine at jegs, I 'm really happy with it . It was a real pain-in-the-a$$ to install, until I dropped the swaybar down and before I finally realized I had to clock the the back of the alternator ,after that It was easy!

Make sure you do the "Big 3" when you up-grade your alternator.
Otherwise that new high-output will not be very effective!

Also check out excessiveamperage.com and Iraggi-Alternator on ebay .
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Old Jun 27, 2008 | 05:26 PM
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whats the part number on the 235amp load boss from alterstart?
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Old Jun 27, 2008 | 06:02 PM
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Call alterstart...(800) 607-0016
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Old Jun 27, 2008 | 09:14 PM
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sweet. thanks man.
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Old Jun 27, 2008 | 10:40 PM
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Here are the complete stats for both D34/78 and the D75/25 YellowTop Optima batteries. As Whitebird already mentioned the correct battery is the D75/25 although. Autozone does list the D35 and D51 for the F-body as well I assume because they are almost the exact same size but neither of those battery's have side post terminals.
Here's the chart direct from Optima:
http://www.optimabatteries.com/optim...ical_specs.php
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Old Jun 27, 2008 | 11:53 PM
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does anyone have the "big 3" cable pre-made or does everyone do it themselves? If so where would I find them? does anyone else use a alternator larger than 235 amps? would larger every be too much or is like builder a strong rear end where too much never hurts?
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Old Jun 28, 2008 | 12:27 AM
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There's no need to go bigger than a 235 amp alt. I'm using a 200 amp alt. with the "Big 3" using 1/0 guage wire, plus 1 run of 4 guage and 1 run of 1/0guage power wire to my amps and I'm running 3800 watts rms of amp power
with no problem! and on top of that a slp underdrive crank pulley. I did bump up my idle to 850rpm though.
IMO run the 1/0 guage wire for the "Big 3."
You'll need about 5-6 ' from alt to batt.+ , around 1.5' from eng./alt.body to chassis ground on drivers side, and 1" from - batt to chassis ground on passenger side.
For the "Big 3" I did it all myself.
But,You can always buy the cable and 6 crimp on terminals cheaper online ,then take them to a audio shop and for a small fee have them cut to length and the terminals crimped on. And for added cable protection 3/4" flex loom to put over the 1/0 cable.

Last edited by 99Bluz28; Jun 28, 2008 at 12:37 AM.
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Old Jun 28, 2008 | 07:31 AM
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I got the 200a load boss, a big 3 upgrade and have no problems, its plenty of power to run anything, I got ewp, and a 1600 watt rockford amp. PM me for info on the big 3 kit, its a none sponser and I dont want to get into trouble for posting it.

Last edited by ls1mongrel; Jun 28, 2008 at 07:46 AM.
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Old Jun 29, 2008 | 06:52 AM
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The best home made trick for crimping large terminals was to take a large slot blade screw drive, a hammer and a vice or something like bolt cutters or other large clamping/crimping style tool.

I would install the wire into the terminal, Divit the middle of the crimp area, and then basically fold the terminal in on it'self by means of using a bolt cutter. A vice works damn nice. Crimpers for large sized terminals basically do the same thing in 1 action verses 2-3 or so.
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Old Jun 29, 2008 | 05:48 PM
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This is what I use , since I don't have a vise. I've also used it to crimp 1/0 guage terminals, with equally good results IMO, use a BFH for best results!

http://www.delcity.net/delcity/servl...d=10383&page=1

Last edited by 99Bluz28; Jun 30, 2008 at 12:23 AM.
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Old Jun 29, 2008 | 10:50 PM
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What's best alternator to replace the original? any sponsor?
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Old Jun 30, 2008 | 12:55 AM
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I'm not aware of any sponsors that carry H.O. alternators, it would be nice if there was. But You can't go wrong with any of the choices listed below.

IMO, The best choice is going to be "Your Choice" by taking the next step yourself and doing some of the leg-work so you can make a informed decision that best Suits YOUR needs.


Alterstart

Excessiveamperage.com

Iraggi-Alternator on ebay

Powermaster
pt # 58203, You will have to clock the case per powermaster directions, and youll probably have to slightly bend / move some of the hard lines coming off the steering rack for clearance, and drop the swaybar which will make the removal / install a lot easier!

Last edited by 99Bluz28; Jun 30, 2008 at 05:09 PM.
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