Optima Battery in C3

[Joe L.]

Has anyone out there ever installed an Optima battery in a C3? If so, what model was used (e.g. group 34/78 with both top and side terminals or 34/78 with side terminals only). Was an adapter required for battery hold down and/or height adjustment?

[Jack C.]

Re: Optima Battery in C3

Joe, I had a 75/35-925 installed in my 68 before removing it and replacing with the correct repro battery for flight judging. It was a very tight fit because of the round knob type battery cut-off switch that I used on the negative cable and post but it did work. As for the holddown bracket, I did not use it with the Optima. I was able to close the door without any problem due to its height.

[Gary G.]

Re: Optima Battery in C3

I have had one in my 75 for five years. The fit is good, holddown clamp works like an original battery.

[Chris L.]

Re: Optima Battery in C3

I have never used the Optima battery, but have considered it. Are they any good? Pros?Cons THanks
CHris

[Clem Z.]

Re: Optima Battery in C3

I have never used the Optima battery, but have considered it. Are they any good? Pros?Cons THanks
CHris

i never understood the fascination with these optima batteries as i gets 8-10 years out of my original equipment delco batteries. the secret is never leave them go dead,any battery as i have gotten 8-10 years also out of my lawn tractor and ATVs batteries. my silverado set out side here in the winter for 6 weeks while we were in Fla. and it fired right up when i got home. i charged it fully before i left.

[Jack C.]

Re: Optima Battery in C3

Pros - major cranking power.

[Terry M.]

[Dick W.]

Re: Optima Battery in C3

Some might say it serves them right. Especially when your window glass rattles as they sit next to you at a traffic light.

That is what the air horn is for! You should see the looks on their faces

[Joe L.]

Re: Optima Battery in C3

i never understood the fascination with these optima batteries as i gets 8-10 years out of my original equipment delco batteries. the secret is never leave them go dead,any battery as i have gotten 8-10 years also out of my lawn tractor and ATVs batteries. my silverado set out side here in the winter for 6 weeks while we were in Fla. and it fired right up when i got home. i charged it fully before i left.

clem-----


The only reason I am even considering it is because of quality and durability problems, ESPECIALLY LEAKAGE, that have lately been widely reported with Delco batteries. Generally, in the past I have had pretty good luck with Delco batteries. I've never had one leak and I've never had one last less than 5 years. In fact, the only complaint I've had of them is that they tend to fail suddenly (i.e. they start the car perfect one time and are "stone dead" on the next starting attempt).

In any event, I'm not so sure that the satisfaction I've had in the past with Delco batteries is going to carry into the future. So, I'm looking at other options. I like the "leak-free" nature of the Optimas. I HATE the appearance of them, though.

By the way, while I've had very good luck with Delco batteries up to now, Delco batteries have usually never received very high ratings in Consumer Reports automotive battery tests over the years; they've been shown to be mediocre, at best, compared to other batteries tested.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Optima Battery in C3

clem-----


The only reason I am even considering it is because of quality and durability problems, ESPECIALLY LEAKAGE, that have lately been widely reported with Delco batteries. Generally, in the past I have had pretty good luck with Delco batteries. I've never had one leak and I've never had one last less than 5 years. In fact, the only complaint I've had of them is that they tend to fail suddenly (i.e. they start the car perfect one time and are "stone dead" on the next starting attempt).

In any event, I'm not so sure that the satisfaction I've had in the past with Delco batteries is going to carry into the future. So, I'm looking at other options. I like the "leak-free" nature of the Optimas. I HATE the appearance of them, though.

By the way, while I've had very good luck with Delco batteries up to now, Delco batteries have usually never received very high ratings in Consumer Reports automotive battery tests over the years; they've been shown to be mediocre, at best, compared to other batteries tested.

about 1998 they had side terminal leakage problems but they fixed. my 1988 delco was removed from my silverado in 1999 because i did not know how much longer it would last. the replacement started to leak at the side terminial in less than 6 months so the gave me a new delco that has been there ever since. when i order a new car i order a HD battery if they are available

[Terry M.]

Re: Optima Battery in C3

I too had (note the past tense) no issues with Delco batteries until the last two or three years. Positive terminal leakage in two 7-year batteries, and now a 1-year old Delco (NOT made by them) tests bad on the VAT45. It still starts the car fine, so I am not sure what is up with that, but I don't like it.

[Duke W.]

Re: Optima Battery in C3

i never understood the fascination with these optima batteries as i gets 8-10 years out of my original equipment delco batteries. the secret is never leave them go dead,any battery as i have gotten 8-10 years also out of my lawn tractor and ATVs batteries. my silverado set out side here in the winter for 6 weeks while we were in Fla. and it fired right up when i got home. i charged it fully before i left.

I've never understood it either. I just buy inexpensive Johnson Controls batteries for as little as 30 dollars. The private labels at Costco and most auto parts stores are the same basic Johnson Controls battery - just different stick on labels.

So I peel off the labels and have a "plain black battery", which is pretty unobstrusive when you open the hood.

Since I can go as much as three weeks without driving any of my cars I always charge the battery before driving if it's been more than 4-5 days (and once of month for those that havn't been driven for more than a month), and I get 7-11 years service life.

Duke

[Mike T.]

Re: Optima Battery in C3

One other option you might consider. I bought NAPA's version for my C5. It's black, and looks a heck of a lot better under the hood than a yellow or red Optima. Mine was a little cheaper too.