Greg Gore

What do you recommend to replace a failing battery; new Delco Remy or one of the gel types? Did the later C5's have a Delco gel type battery?

Thanks, Greg

rws.1

A number of people report failure of the Delco batteries due to separation of the terminal from the battery.
Others have been given the run around by Interstate on honoring the warranty.
Some of the most recent favorable posts have been on Walmart... Great price and no hassle warranty.

Aquaman92

I have a interstate battery works fine,The Optima Gel cell does not make a battery as far as I know that fits a C4 without being modified.

corvetteronw

I recently replaced mine with a NAPA product. Good warranty, exact fit and the price was around $70. This was their heavy-duty model. The only difference between this and the more expensive one was the length of the warranty.
I lked it because it only had the side mount. The last one that the previous owner installed had dual mounts and I was always worried about the top mounts hitting something or something hitting them and arcing. I had those plastic protectors on top of them but still did not like it.

wgc_3

As much as I hate to say it Corvettes from my aspect are bad on eating up batteries. All three of Corvettes have had atleast one battery change when in two weeks of me owning them. If you go down to your local parts store ask for a red top battery (optima) I promise you will never want to buy another battery!

Muffin

I have seen this stated more than once. I must have done something cause my Optima went right in without a problem. Ignorance is bliss.

mseven

I prefer using "deep discharge" or "deep cycle" type batteries. All the companies make them.

Kwikerthanu

Mine came with an Interstate, but when it comes time to replace it an Optima is going in.

Aquaman92

Interesting I have read more than 1 thread that stated the Optima battery did not fit without cutting off the top posts.

Saisling

I believe I'm probably running the same battery as corvetteronw - Napa with side posts (no tops) with a good warranty and it was around $70. I put it in last year.

Didn't drive the car much over the winter and, in my opinion, it died quickly even with no use... but I hooked a trickle charger to it and it's been fine ever since...

vetteheadracer

What model Optima Battery fits in a C4? I have a 1996 LT4 and I want to fit a red top or yellow top (have a yellow top in my C5).

Please let me know as I want to buy one this week.

Mr Mojo

I haven't bought my Optima yet, but someone somewhere was spreading a rumor thatthey were making a sidepost only one soon, si that's the one I'm waiting for.

Currently I have NAPA Gold(which is almost due for replacement)in my '95 and in my '93 I have an Exide/NAPA gel battery that is similar to the Optima. You need to cut the top post off any battery that has both kinds to clear the PCM bracket(or cruise control depending onthe year). Also, you have to trim two itty bitty tabs in the battery tray. That's it.

Just stay away from the AC Delco battery.

Jim Nichols

Can't answer about Optima, but run, do not walk, as fast as you can get away from INTERSTATE. Their Johnson Control batteries are likely the same as Die Hard, but INTRESTATE's customer service is horrid. See this CF link.


http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1031134


Jim

ruby4me

I replaced mine with an Autozone Gold with side posts only. Seems to work well. I believe Johnson Controls makes the Autozone batteries as well.

RUBY4ME

Jim Nichols

Anything but INTERSTATE. Horrid Customer Service. See this CF thread.



http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1031134

LT4play

I beleive the source of this is the Corvette Fever magazine from a couple months ago..

CentralCoaster

All the batteries seem to be relabeled crap.

I buy whatever has the best warranty. Sears is nice, because exchange is so easy there.

I think a deepcycle battery is a poor application for a car.

CentralCoaster

Maybe it was me too. I spoke to a optima rep at a tradeshow early last year, he said a side post would be available for that size soon. But those guys tend to nod their heads like a duck, so take it for what its worth.

Lone Ranger

http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/batbrand.htm

The above link is an eye-opener as far as who makes what brand batteries. Lot of the name brands are made by a couple few large manufacturers such as Johnson Controls.

I just replaced a NAPA 75 month battery with a Duralast Gold. Yeah, I know. But The Duralast is made by Johnson Controls and they make a variety of brands including the Diehard, so I figure it's okay.

I only replaced the NAPA due to age (preventative maintenance), no symptoms yet, but it was installed in the car by the prev owner in 2001, and I don't trust batteries past 3 or 4 yrs regardless of purported "warranty".