MikeT 90 C4sixer

Thier website dont even list Corvettes for a search vehicle. Now at A. Auto website, they show a blue one that might fit, but no red or yellow.
I will have to replace battery sooner or later. is it really that tight of a fit, where they mount he bat?

1991Z07

They show a no fit because the Optima has top AND side posts...and one of the top posts hit the brace and will short.

Until they have a side post only...it is what it is.

383vett

I ran a couple of Redtop Optimas for years in my C4. Just hacksaw the top terminals. They can't short against the brace if they can't contact it. Gotta think outside the box.

Midnight 85

I've got a red top in my '85 and I have no contact problem at all. The negative post is close to the cruise control but the positive post has plenty of clearance. If it did not I would just do what 383vett said, get out the hacksaw.

gerardvg

The right hand drive conversion makes it easy to fit optimas.

Remember there are horses for courses the same goes for optima batteries.

Red top is for powerful bursts of starting power.

Blue top is for marine use with a huge capacity for rapid current drain can handle more recharges.

Yellow top is a dual purpose high cranking power deep cycle battery for heavy accessory loads and can be repeatedly brought back from deep drains to full charge.

(in other words.....)

If you drive your vette daily or have a high compression engine a red top optima is the way to go.

If you have a high current draw stereo system with massive amplifiers the Blue top is for you.

If your vette sits in a garage for weeks or months on end a yellow top optima is your battery.

THE 383 admiral

The optima battery fits ok.. The hood support brace needs clearancing.. and the outer battery tray needs the lip cut flush..
I took my brace out.. and neatly crushed in the edge for clearance. That brace is very strong especially the edge's

ggrassmid

mine fit with no modifications

PLRX

I almost do that, but didn't. I got lucky I had to return the battery, and that could had void the warranty.

Yep, nothing a little Nip/Tuck can't fix

89 Vett

I have a redtop and had no clearance issues. Took a little twisting around to get it in place, but nothing major.

cv67

Because they are too big.

383vett

Who's too big?

5abivt

Any weight savings with either model? I plan to chop the terminals and get one soon.

THE 383 admiral

If no mod was needed.. you purchased the C4 $$$$ overpriced direct fit optima
No top post..

dizwiz24

They dont know you did that if you use some superglue or something to re-attach the hacksaw'd off terminal.

I went thru this with 2 of them.

Got my money back for a sears diehard gold. Much better battery.

I actually have my battery relocated back to rear storge compt, so an optima would seem ideal.

However, I dont trust them based on my previous experience.

Im not sure if I believe that chopping off the terminal is what 'kills' the battery. User 383Vett, in my experience he is a very knowledgeable contributor here, has stated that he's used 2 of them (with chopped off terminals) without issue.

So the ones I bought were just junk? Ive followed a lot of posts here over the years about optima battery problems.

Perhaps 'Optima Bob' will chime in here and politely explain why Optima doesnt produce a battery for the c4 (but probably does for c5/6) due to a small market, etc.

ggrassmid

Nope, mine has top posts, can't really use them though.

MrWillys

My AC Delco in my 04 C5 finally died this year, so I replaced it with like kind. I've always been an optima guy, and had one go 11 years once. The red top in my F150 just went bad in 6 years! For $200 a piece I'm taking my chance on another AC Delco for my truck too! Sorry, but Optima just isn't as good. We'll see how much longer the one from 2009 lasts in my CJ5.

dizwiz24

Theres no way my optima would fit my 93 due to the top post clearance issue.

dizwiz24

no weight savings.

In fact, the sears die hard gold saved weight (vs. the optima).

30 lbs vs. 35 lbs or the optima.

Howevr, I heard that sears die hard recently switch from Johnson Controls (the lighter weight) battery to a different one - for my 'northern' climte region.

BTW: Some people like 'heavy' batteries. They claim the heavier it is the more lead / materials in it.

The johnson controls sears die hard did me well. I think Interstate is also a johnson controls battery

MikeT 90 C4sixer

Ok, that explains it, and makes sense. I have seen that most Optima batteries have both the top and side terminals. Try to make them more universal i guess.....

Now i have never run any Optima batteries in any of my vehicles, so i have no experience. I do know that OEM ACdelco batteries are preferred. Still have the original in my 2003 truck bought brand new....I know it is alittle on the weak side, but still starts and works! So i think whichever my vehicle the bat dies first, will get switched out and a new red-top Optima will go in my '88 IROC. For my Vette, not sure wehn it goes, may just try to get good ole' ACdelco.
Good discussion and idea, folks.

don hall

With research, you will discover that most (not all) batteries are made by Johnson Controls, including Optima, Sears, AutoZone, Interstate, etc.

Some swear by Interstate, not realizing that it is just a marketing company. They don't make a battery.

I have found the best battery value is sold by Costco. Same battery as Sears (and others) same warranty, much lower price.