Write-Up: Installing the Optima 34/78 red top

You only paid $ 80.00, i was quoted at almost twice that @ $140.00 after tax.
That's why other options interested me.
I do agree with you though these battery's last a long time and I'm not concerned about saving weight. My car isn't on that big of a diet and i like the performance from the AC Delco.

Derek - bought my replacement battery about the saem time and price forom the local Buick dealer. Wonder if they were blowing them out.

Aaron - if you have a few minutes might want to call dealers in your area (like 50 mile radius) in case any have the original battery (rather than the replacement) in stock.

good luck

Albertj

This is the site link for the equivalent Interstate battery. Rated at 1000 amps and it is 840 cca. 48 lbs. for those concerned about weight.
85 month pro rated warranty. There is always plenty of Intersate dealers around if you can't find a good AC Delco. This one is equivalent to our original battery. Look at the Mega-Tron Plus the ninth battery down the page. Looks like same dimensions as original. When you do a search on their site for a Riv it brings you to that battery as exact replacement.
http://www.interstatebatteries.com/cs_eStore/Search.aspx?dsNavigation=Ns~product+Type%7c101%7c1%7c,Nrc~id-2147384817%7cid-17,N~21-4294493490&Catalog=RT&ProductID=MTP-79(Automotive%20Truck)

I'm wondering, it there are any of the original batteries left, how old are they, and what condition are they in? What is the shelf life of a car battery, anyway? It would seem if they are replacing it with a newer model, the old one is not being produced.

Rick, I like the I-Megatrons. I may look into that.

Checked Advance Auto today for an Optima - no dice.

_________________
'05 GTO 6.0L • 6-spd • 95k miles • 0-60: 4.8s • 16.9 avg MPG • Nelson Ledges Lap: 1:26

'95 Celica GT 2.2L • 5-spd • 165k miles • 0-60: yes

'98 SC Riviera • 281k miles • 298 HP/370 TQ • 0-60: 5.79s • ET: 13.97 @ 99.28 • 4087 lb • 20.1 avg MPG • Nelson Ledges Lap: 1:30
3.4" pulley • AL104 plugs • 180º t-stat • FWI w/K&N • 1.9:1 rockers • OR pushrods • LS6 valve springs • SLP headers • ZZP fuel rails
KYB GR2 struts • MaxAir shocks • Addco sway bars • UMI bushings • GM STB • Enkei 18" EV5s w/ Dunlop DZ101s • F-body calipers
EBC bluestuff/Hawk HP plus • SS lines • Brembo slotted discs • DHP tuned • Aeroforce • Hidden Hitch
^^^ SOLD ^^^ frown

'70 Ninety-Eight Holiday Coupe 455cid • 116k miles
^^^ SOLD ^^^ frown

AA wrote:: I'm wondering, it there are any of the original batteries left, how old are they, and what condition are they in? What is the shelf life of a car battery, anyway? It would seem if they are replacing it with a newer model, the old one is not being produced.

Rick, I like the I-Megatrons. I may look into that.

Checked Advance Auto today for an Optima - no dice.

I can pull the receipt to verify. The original from the 99 Riv was replaced in June of 07.

Bert tavis

Aaron - it depends. Manufacture date is usually on the battery somewhere. Further - what *should* happen is the battery should be shipped dry to the parts store/dealer, who then fills the cells with the proper concentration of sulfuric acid and connects to a charger to ensure the battery is fuly charged.

By the way - if you ever need to store a battery - first, charge it fully and then drain it and immediately rinse it with distilled water. Ideally then you purge the oxygen by gassing it full of nitrogen. Should keep around 10 years I am told.

Albertj

Autozone has the 34/78 in stock: $189.99 + $12 core.

_________________
'05 GTO 6.0L • 6-spd • 95k miles • 0-60: 4.8s • 16.9 avg MPG • Nelson Ledges Lap: 1:26

'95 Celica GT 2.2L • 5-spd • 165k miles • 0-60: yes

'98 SC Riviera • 281k miles • 298 HP/370 TQ • 0-60: 5.79s • ET: 13.97 @ 99.28 • 4087 lb • 20.1 avg MPG • Nelson Ledges Lap: 1:30
3.4" pulley • AL104 plugs • 180º t-stat • FWI w/K&N • 1.9:1 rockers • OR pushrods • LS6 valve springs • SLP headers • ZZP fuel rails
KYB GR2 struts • MaxAir shocks • Addco sway bars • UMI bushings • GM STB • Enkei 18" EV5s w/ Dunlop DZ101s • F-body calipers
EBC bluestuff/Hawk HP plus • SS lines • Brembo slotted discs • DHP tuned • Aeroforce • Hidden Hitch
^^^ SOLD ^^^ frown

'70 Ninety-Eight Holiday Coupe 455cid • 116k miles
^^^ SOLD ^^^ frown

AA wrote:: Autozone has the 34/78 in stock: $189.99 + $12 core.

If you guys have a Interstate warehouse in your area, they sell batteries wholesale and they stock all the Optima batteries.

Bert tavis

Thanks Bert,
I have a warehouse near me but I thought they only sold to dealers. I'll have to check them out for wholesale pricing.

Looks like ima need a new battery to resurrect my Riv. Shopping around now and looks like prices went up from what everyone was listing in this thread. $209 - $20 core charge at advance..

I bought one at Walmart. It was around $125, and has been just fine for the past couple years. My car has a parasitic drain in it somewhere and even with many "dead" battery mornings, and many hours on the charger, it still keeps on ticking.

designer1962 wrote:: I bought one at Walmart. It was around $125, and has been just fine for the past couple years. My car has a parasitic drain in it somewhere and even with many "dead" battery mornings, and many hours on the charger, it still keeps on ticking.

Dang. how long ago was that? Cheapest I can find is ~$200

Master Joined : 2007-01-16 Post Count : 8072 Merit : 105

designer1962 wrote:: My car has a parasitic drain in it somewhere and even with many "dead" battery mornings,

The security system will run the battery down over a matter of weeks. I learned to keep my Riv on a trickle charger after killing two batteries.

Picked up battery today after work. Resurrection of Riv and motorcycle will take place tomorrow. jesus

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