86 Class, 550 CCA Battery for a 2004

[O Vette]

I'll be in the market for a new battery in the coming weeks so I thought I would look around for some. I want an 86 class with at least 550 CCA. Went to the local Sears to see what they had. They checed their computer system for Corvette requirements and showed two for the LS1. One was an 86 but it only had 500 CCA. The other was an 86 with 550 CCA but their system said "Do Not Sell." Sears' printed catalog didn't even list a Vette newer than 1986. The counter person said they probably counldn't even order one. Then, I went to Pep Boys. I looked in their battery catalog which has several different manufacturers included and it stated the OEM requirements but none of the batteries they sell listed one for an 04 Vette. Thought that was kind of strange. I'll do a bit more looking around.

 

[longspur]

Sears die Hard Platinum is avaiable for the corvette for sure. I am considering one for my car so I know they are - expensive though at $189.00.

 

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,

Your 86 classification is exactly correct.

ACDelco professional series carries a 2 year free replacement and then prorated after that.

86-6YR is the part number and lists for $120 It carries 590 CCA.

Allthebest, c4c5

 

[longspur]

HI there,

Your 86 classification is exactly correct.

ACDelco professional series carries a 2 year free replacement and then prorated after that.

86-6YR is the part number and lists for $120 It carries 590 CCA.

Allthebest, c4c5

oops - thought it was 78 - my mistake. Thats actually not bad pricing for a 6 year battery. I prefer to use AC Delco products so maybe I will go this route after all.

 

[navy2kcoupe]

Just put a new one of those in my 2000 last October. Got it from the local Chevy dealer in Clearwater (Dimmit), and it's worked fine. The battery it replaced was also a Delco, and may have been the original. I bought the car in 2006 and that's the battery that was in it when I bought it.
Andy

 

[Rex S]

Price one at a dealership and ASK for a discount as most offer one for Vette clubs or other local car clubs. Put a new Delco in the 90 Z Friday and it was $116.00 + tax.

 

[NORTY]

I just replaced by OEM battery in my 2006 Z with a battery from Costco. Their batteries are made by Exide, so they're pretty good. Unfortunately, since my battery goes into a small cubby in the rear, I can only use a small 590 CCA battery, otherwise, I would have put their 1000 CCA batteries in. They were the same price~ $60.

 

[PreacherNutshot]

HI there,

Your 86 classification is exactly correct.

ACDelco professional series carries a 2 year free replacement and then prorated after that.

86-6YR is the part number and lists for $120 It carries 590 CCA.

Allthebest, c4c5

Always there with the advice Specialist, kudos.

I'm assuming this isn't a gel type battery. What's your opinion on the whole gel/flooded(oem?) debate?

 

[c4c5specialist]

Hi there,
In the c5 generation, only the 2004 was equipped with a top post 86 class.

Every other c5, 97-2003 was a 78 class so I can understand the confusion.

Personally, I enjoy the availability of ACDelco nationwide, so if someone purchases from one place and they are not local, they have recourse should something else happen elsewhere.

As for the battery debate, there will always be the lead/acid vs gel battery, I have my recommendations. Others would disagree, so its what has served you well that counts.

Allthebest, c4c5

 

[TooFast]

Just replaced my original AC/Delco in my '04 with an 86 6YR from a local supplier - $106 including tax. I did find another local supplier that tried to sell me one for $140 so shop around.

 

[TooFast]

Hi there,
In the c5 generation, only the 2004 was equipped with a top post 86 class.

Every other c5, 97-2003 was a 78 class so I can understand the confusion.

Personally, I enjoy the availability of ACDelco nationwide, so if someone purchases from one place and they are not local, they have recourse should something else happen elsewhere.

As for the battery debate, there will always be the lead/acid vs gel battery, I have my recommendations. Others would disagree, so its what has served you well that counts.

Allthebest, c4c5

Hey c4c5:

When I replaced mine with the top posts, I thought someone had changed the cable ends to accomodate a charger. Mine is an '04 with top posts and red and black cable ends (kind of snap covers) with a receptacle attached to the connectors for a battery charger set up. Is that a factory or aftermarket set up?

Thanks,

Mark

 

[c4c5specialist]

Hey c4c5:

When I replaced mine with the top posts, I thought someone had changed the cable ends to accomodate a charger. Mine is an '04 with top posts and red and black cable ends (kind of snap covers) with a receptacle attached to the connectors for a battery charger set up. Is that a factory or aftermarket set up?

Thanks,

Mark

Hi there,

Your OEM is correct. 2004 was the ONLY c5 year that had top posts.

Allthebest, c4c5

 

[TooFast]

Cool, thanks!

 

[killain]

Batteries

Well I'm going to be the minority voice here. I installed a Optima Red Top75/25 720CCA and it's been in the car for three years now without a single problem. (Knock on wood) but I just feel that the chance of a leaking battery isn't something I could deal with. There are a lot of time between drives since I got injured, 13567 miles on my 2003 anniversary coupe. But the Red Top I feel is a good battery except for the fact that if you let is go dead, it's toast. no doubt about it. And Optima even says at it's website that if your going to have periods of non-use, that a optima Yellow top is a better choice as it is a deep discharge capable battery.

But I keep a float charger on the car if I'm not going to use it for ten days. I think that is why it's lasted this long although it comes with a three warranty. but I feel better with a AMG or sprial cell gel battery.

 

[TooFast]

Well I'm going to be the minority voice here. I installed a Optima Red Top75/25 720CCA and it's been in the car for three years now without a single problem. (Knock on wood) but I just feel that the chance of a leaking battery isn't something I could deal with. There are a lot of time between drives since I got injured, 13567 miles on my 2003 anniversary coupe. But the Red Top I feel is a good battery except for the fact that if you let is go dead, it's toast. no doubt about it. And Optima even says at it's website that if your going to have periods of non-use, that a optima Yellow top is a better choice as it is a deep discharge capable battery.

But I keep a float charger on the car if I'm not going to use it for ten days. I think that is why it's lasted this long although it comes with a three warranty. but I feel better with a AMG or sprial cell gel battery.

I am just an original kind of guy. I try to keep my ride as original looking as possible. To each his own.

 

[O Vette]

Well, I have to assume that the GM engineers knew what they were doing so I'm going with the AC Delco 86-6YR. I have not added anything additional that will draw from the battery and will use a battery tender if the vehicle won't be used for a week or so. The 590 CCA of this battery should keep the gremlins at bay and I'll follow the advice of c4c5 to torque at 86 in. lbs. Plus, the price is pretty good and Chevy dealers are easy to find.

 

[OptimaJim]

Hello, I noticed your conversation regarding batteries and wanted to offer some assistance. killain, no battery like to be deeply-discharged, but Optima batteries handle that type of inactivity and abuse better than traditional flooded batteries. Most of the "bad" batteries returned to us now are just deeply-discharged and work fine, when properly recharged.

Part of the problem is that many battery chargers will not recognize any battery that has been discharged below 10.5 volts and most flooded batteries discharged to that extent cannot be recovered. Optima batteries can be recovered from deep discharges, by using the technique described in this video- YouTube - Tech Tips 3: Recovering a Deeply Discharged Battery

I'm glad to hear so many of you are using battery tenders or maintainers. Those devices are excellent investments, which will help extend the life of your battery, regardless of brand. If you have any other battery-related questions, I'll do my best to answer them.

Jim McIlvaine
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.
www.facebook.com/optimabatteries

 

[Rex S]

Mr. McIlvaine, nice to see a factory guy hanging around here. How about an Optima that actually fits a C4?

Rex S.
Bastrop, Texas 78602

 

[BigJimZ16]

I just picked up and installed a Delco 86-6YR in the Vert. Took out the original 86-7YR. The new battery cost me $87.14 at the Chevrolet dealership that sponsors our club. Thanks Arnell Chevrolet!!!

 

[OptimaJim]

Hi Rex,

I appreciate the welcome. Unfortunately, there are more than 60 different sizes of automotive batteries and we do not offer batteries that we consider “direct-fit” replacements for every vehicle, including C4 Vettes. I do appreciate your feedback regarding C4s and will pass it along to the decision-makers. We recognize that many C4 owners have successfully used our batteries in applications that we consider “custom fitments” and they may be able to offer input as to which batteries they used and how they safely mounted them.

You can find all the specifications for our YellowTop batteries here- http://www.optimabatteries.com/optima_products/yellowtop/specs.php and our RedTop batteries here- http://www.optimabatteries.com/optima_products/redtop/specs.php

Any custom application should consider these guidelines-

· Hood Clearance – There should be at least ¾” clearance between the top of the battery terminals and the underside of the hood. When we do our fitment studies we put a ball of clay on top of the post, and VERY carefully close the hood to make sure that nothing makes contact. By measuring how much the clay is squeezed down when the hood is closed, we can know how much hood clearance we have.
· Trunk/Interior Mounting – If your battery is mounted inside the passenger compartment or trunk, the battery must be vented to the outside of the vehicle. Optima group 27, 51, 78, 34C, and 31 batteries all have ports for connecting a vent hose.
· Side Terminals – Optima 34/78, D34/78, 75/25 and D75/25 batteries have both top and side terminals. If you are using one of these batteries in a vehicle that uses the top terminals, it is important to ensure that the side terminals can not come into contact with anything metallic (for example, the firewall or fender well), thereby causing a short.We suggest keeping the post protectors on the terminals you are not using.
· Battery Modifications – Cutting, drilling, trimming or otherwise modifying your Optima battery may present a safety hazard and will void the warranty.
· Mounting – Your Optima battery must be securely mounted. The terminals are not intended to be used to secure the battery. Using the terminals in this way will damage the battery and void your warranty.
· Heat – Protect your battery from high heat, such as turbochargers or exhaust manifolds

If you have any other battery-related questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jim McIlvaine
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.
www.facebook.com/optimabatteries