SN95 Optima Battery, Which One?

downonmonday

Member

Feb 14, 2014

59

2

9

Freeport, IL

Dec 30, 2015

#1

• Dec 30, 2015

• #1

I have a very good hook-up with Optima battery and wondering which one do I get? My battery is relocated in the trunk and is sealed off by an aluminum rear seat delete, so I am not exposed to the fuel cell and battery per NHRA rules. But, I don't don't know which one to get, as far as the model type. I do know I am going to get the yellow top, just because I get 50% of Optima batteries. There's model 51, 75/25, 31, 34, 35, 27F, 51R, 34/78....no idea which one to get? They range from 450 cranking amps to 900 cranking amps.

 

84Ttop

They make new pistons every day, so why worry?

5 Year Member

Jul 2, 2009

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South Jersey

Dec 31, 2015

#2

• Dec 31, 2015

• #2

Buy the biggest battery that will fit in your battery box and has the highest number of Cold Cranking Amps. The models refer more directly to the group size of the battery than anything. I personally wouldn't even consider a batter under 800 cold cranking amps

 

downonmonday

Member

Feb 14, 2014

59

2

9

Freeport, IL

Dec 31, 2015

#3

• Dec 31, 2015

• #3

Ok, that's what I was thinking but wanted to double check here with you guys. I'm going to get a battery bracket that is made specifically for the Optima batteries.

 

84Ttop

They make new pistons every day, so why worry?

5 Year Member

Jul 2, 2009

5,222

3,254

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South Jersey

Dec 31, 2015

#4

• Dec 31, 2015

• #4

Their billet brackets are pretty sweet and totally legal so long as you have that aluminum firewall as described above. Keep in mind that if you are trying to comply with the NHRA rules of trunk mounted batteriers, you will need a master battery shut off switch as well

 

downonmonday

Member

Feb 14, 2014

59

2

9

Freeport, IL

Dec 31, 2015

#5

• Dec 31, 2015

• #5

Yup I have the master batter shut off to install. I want to keep in the good graces of the NHRA. I'm more serious this year, so I'm making sure the car is ready for inspection.

 

Reactions: 84Ttop

mikestang63

SN Certified Technician

Aug 27, 2012

11,606

8,859

214

In the garage

Dec 31, 2015

#6

• Dec 31, 2015

• #6

not a big fan of optimas.. Whats'wrong with Interstate?

 

Reactions: 2000xp8

downonmonday

Member

Feb 14, 2014

59

2

9

Freeport, IL

Dec 31, 2015

#7

• Dec 31, 2015

• #7

mikestang63 said:

not a big fan of optimas.. Whats'wrong with Interstate?

Click to expand...

I get a massive discount on Optima batteries.

 

Reactions: mikestang63

stykthyn

I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.

15 Year Member

Jul 6, 2006

5,232

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gainesville

Dec 31, 2015

#8

• Dec 31, 2015

• #8

I've had a red top for 7 years that has never let me down.

 

downonmonday

Member

Feb 14, 2014

59

2

9

Freeport, IL

Dec 31, 2015

#9

• Dec 31, 2015

• #9

Wow, 7 years is really good. I think I may go with yellow top? Probably last me through 3 mustangs. lol

 

stykthyn

I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.

15 Year Member

Jul 6, 2006

5,232

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gainesville

Jan 1, 2016

#10

• Jan 1, 2016

• #10

downonmonday said:

Wow, 7 years is really good. I think I may go with yellow top? Probably last me through 3 mustangs. lol

Click to expand...

At the time it was a great buy, but looking at the price of them now I don't think I would buy another one unless I had to side mount a battery. If you're getting a discount go for it, just look at the date on the battery. A lot of them sit due to low product movement compared to other batteries.

 

95BlueStallion

My assy trans to myself

15 Year Member

Feb 22, 2007

5,125

3,091

214

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Jan 1, 2016

#11

• Jan 1, 2016

• #11

Had two red tops poop out on me. I'll never buy another one. But with a 50% discount, you can buy one for the cost of a good regular battery.

 

2000xp8

SN Certified Technician

Aug 8, 2003

8,015

1,613

194

NJ

Jan 1, 2016

#12

• Jan 1, 2016

• #12

I've had a few red tops. Never felt like I got my money out of any of them. My diehards and interstates without a doubt outlasted them. I wouldn't buy an optima again, discount or no discount. IMO, they are just eye candy.

Interstates can be had at Costco pretty cheap. I'm pretty sure kirklands were just rebadged interstates too.

 

bentley429isBAC

10 Year Member

Jul 23, 2009

922

188

84

CT

Jan 2, 2016

#13

• Jan 2, 2016

• #13

Had a redtop for about 5 years then it quit. Put a yellowtop in 4 years ago and it is still going. But it is extremely heavy, 60 lbs.

 

tannerc91gt

This last 25% is foreign territory at this point

Founding Member

Nov 29, 1999

4,392

2,967

234

Indiana

Jan 2, 2016

#14

• Jan 2, 2016

• #14

My red top hasn't been in a car or charged in like 2 years and still has a half ass charge lol

Only bought it because I had a billet bracket setup. It's nice. But expensive. Then again, every battery is these days.