Optima or Odyssey ... close dimensions, will it fit? ---

[alwayscode390]

I saw while searching that Odyssey makes a battery that fits nicely in our trays ... its number 75-PC1230A . The dimensions are : 9.46"L x 6.99"W x 7.22"H

I searched Optimas site to see what battery they recommend for our cars, and they don't have one. That used to be an issue with the Viper too ... because of the top posts (which is an issue with us too). WELL, Optima came out with a side post only battery that the Viper guys use. I was wondering if we can use them too. The dimensions are:


Length: 10"


Width: 7.25"


Height: 7.187"
This shows the Optima is about 1/2" longer, 1/4" wider, and about the same height.

The reason I want to go with the Optima is I can get one for about $75 cheaper, and they are 5 lbs lighter.

Do you guys think it will fit , or is the Odyssey using up pretty much all the available space?

Thanks :) ---

[Blue Flame Restorations]

Not 100% sure about dimensionally fitting but the Optima sure does work well for my 91. Mine is located behind the passenger seat though.

[alwayscode390]

I have the RED TOP in all my other vehicles. Figured I would like to stuff one in the ZR-1 too.

The car is starting good, but the battery says 2003 on it LOL ... I didn't see that until the other day when I had my hood up. Last guy said it was new, and I have only had it for a month.

Figured with the change in weather , its time to swap one out.

Is there any tips or pointers to swapping out the battery? Looks like I need to take off the "TPI" piece from the body of the car? ---

[Blue Flame Restorations]

I usually load it from the top. I don't remove the side fender. Everything up there comes loose and gets out of the way easy enough for me.

[alwayscode390]

Maybe someone can measure the dimensions of their battery for me, or even the dimensions of the battery tray if they have easy access to theirs?

I would like to order this tonight , but it will be ordered online ... my local stores don't carry this model. It would be a bummer to get it and have to send it back, or be stuck with it.

Thanks :) ---

[alwayscode390]

I just looked up the Interstate battery specs for our cars. Looks like length is 1" shorter with them, but height is 1/2" taller. Looks like length is the only concern now with the Optima :

Width: 7.25
Length: 9
Height: 7.63

[Hib Halverson]

I used both, Optima and Odyssey.

I think the Odyssey is a better choice. Physically, because its square rather than a six-pack or round cells, it's got more room for plates.

My experience with an Optima was that it was not very tolerant of deep-cycles. In fact, two deep cycles and the one I had could not be charged.

Currently I have an Odyssey 75 PC1230 in my ZR1. I use that say Odyssey size in both my Camaro and my Blazer. I use the bigger 1500 in my 71 Vette and I use a smaller Odyssey in the '12 Z06. I still have a Delco in my '04 Z06.

Sears sells some Odysseys in gray cases and under the Diehard Platinum name.

[alwayscode390]

Did it look like you had an extra inch to play with in the length area of the tray? ---

[Schrade]

I could not fit an Optima in my '94 (LT1).

I bought an Optima in Nov., not installed yet because of the drain. I THINK we did a dry-fit at Advancebefore ringing it up, and it did go in, if I remember correctly. I'll probably put mine in when the power drain is corrected here........

[WVZR-1]

Maybe someone can measure the dimensions of their battery for me, or even the dimensions of the battery tray if they have easy access to theirs?

I would like to order this tonight , but it will be ordered online ... my local stores don't carry this model. It would be a bummer to get it and have to send it back, or be stuck with it.

Thanks :) ---

I'd certainly consider the Odyssey over the Optima or at-least do a "local buy" because you likely WILL need service. A battery is one item that does NOT fit the "ON LINE" order thought process. You have absolutely no control over what you receive in regards to age. Bought local you can check date codes, fit etc first. The Optima have known issues BUT battery life is very much about maintenance. The + top post on the Optima is a known issue for the C4 Corvette but I thought I had read of maybe a "new" fit by them. Do you have a part #.

I'd consider the Sears Platinum if I were interested in a "Premium" battery.

Limit your shopping to a battery of a group 75 spec.

The left fender needs removed and here's a video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgMa-J8Gqks

[alwayscode390]

I think I will go the Odyssey route just to make sure its a perfect fit.

I heard the Sears Platinum was the Odyssey battery ... so I did a search to Sears Online , and they only have the one with top posts also. I want to steer clear of that.

The optima one I am looking at is a group 78.

That video is PERFECT. Thanks for posting that to help me out :) ---

[WVZR-1]

I think I will go the Odyssey route just to make sure its a perfect fit.

I heard the Sears Platinum was the Odyssey battery ... so I did a search to Sears Online , and they only have the one with top posts also. I want to steer clear of that.

The optima one I am looking at is a group 78.

That video is PERFECT. Thanks for posting that to help me out :) ---

A 78 is a "no go" I'm quite sure BUT the Sears Platinum is a "dual terminal" 75 series that gives you 'side terminal" fit and the top posts go unused and I believe a 75/86 battery presents no issues for the top post "collision".

75 PC1230 here is the real deal: http://www.odysseybattery.com/batterysearch

I'd still suggest a "local buy"!!! There's a "hand shake" when all goes well and a "nose to poke" if it don't !! I would think you might have a choice of more than five "locals" to check depending on location.

[alwayscode390]

I definitely appreciate your words of advice. I have purchased batteries before and they were duds. I need to search and see who is a distributor of the Odyssey around here. ---

[WVZR-1]

I definitely appreciate your words of advice. I have purchased batteries before and they were duds. I need to search and see who is a distributor of the Odyssey around here. ---

Dealer locator is the right most tab on the link in my previous post!

[RICHARD TILL]

I have an Optima battery on both the dragboat and the ZR-1. At first the battery didn`t fit the Vette. I had to trim the vertical ledge on the passenger side of the battery box. Then it slid in enough to bolt down and get the fender panel on. (barely) Been about two months since i`ve started the car and i know better than to think it wouldn`t be discharged. Plans are to have it on a 2 amp charger for about 30 hours before Saturday night. Thats when the LT5 will be called upon.

[alwayscode390]

Which model optima are you running? ---

[WARP TEN]

A 78 is a "no go" I'm quite sure BUT the Sears Platinum is a "dual terminal" 75 series that gives you 'side terminal" fit and the top posts go unused and I believe a 75/86 battery presents no issues for the top post "collision".

75 PC1230 here is the real deal: http://www.odysseybattery.com/batterysearch

I'd still suggest a "local buy"!!! There's a "hand shake" when all goes well and a "nose to poke" if it don't !! I would think you might have a choice of more than five "locals" to check depending on location.

I looked on the Sears website and they are a dual post design. However was surprised at the number of negative reviews, mostly related to the side terminals coming loose from an internal design problem. Agree on the local buy approach. --Bob

[WVZR-1]

I looked on the Sears website and they are a dual post design. However was surprised at the number of negative reviews, mostly related to the side terminals coming loose from an internal design problem. Agree on the local buy approach. --Bob

You can't ignore reviews but we also don't really know the circumstances. Battery bolts don't require a "breaker-bar" for leverage to be secured, many side terminal battery replacement bolts are either misused or have excessive threads that allow the bolt to bottom in the terminal. I've never had one so "don't know" but I'd do the Odyssey or the Sears before any of the Optima line.

The build might not even be Odyssey for the Sears any longer? don't know! It might make for an interesting question session. AGM is certainly the trend for performance batteries.

[Pete]

A 78 is a "no go" I'm quite sure BUT the Sears Platinum is a "dual terminal" 75 series that gives you 'side terminal" fit and the top posts go unused and I believe a 75/86 battery presents no issues for the top post "collision".

75 PC1230 here is the real deal: http://www.odysseybattery.com/batterysearch

I'd still suggest a "local buy"!!! There's a "hand shake" when all goes well and a "nose to poke" if it don't !! I would think you might have a choice of more than five "locals" to check depending on location.


Wow,that battery wieghs 45lbs.
What would be a nice light weight battery at a reasonable price.

If cash was no issue i would definitely have a lithium battery,anybody heard or know anyone that used/has one of these. pros/cons

Pete

[Pete]

A 78 is a "no go" I'm quite sure BUT the Sears Platinum is a "dual terminal" 75 series that gives you 'side terminal" fit and the top posts go unused and I believe a 75/86 battery presents no issues for the top post "collision".

75 PC1230 here is the real deal: http://www.odysseybattery.com/batterysearch

I'd still suggest a "local buy"!!! There's a "hand shake" when all goes well and a "nose to poke" if it don't !! I would think you might have a choice of more than five "locals" to check depending on location.


Wow,that battery wieghs 45lbs.
What would be a nice light weight battery at a reasonable price.

If cash was no issue i would definitely have a lithium battery,anybody heard or know anyone that used/has one of these. pros/cons

Pete

[GOLDCYLON]

Im running a red top battery that has the side and top posts. I had to cut the underside of the Cruise control bracket (Dont worry its still beafy) to allow clearance for the top posts. Took my dremal about 15 mins.

[Brad Sewell]

I installed the Odyssey last year and I have been pleased. Unfortunately my car sometimes goes 8 or more weeks without cranking. The battery has discharged but so far it has charged back. I did not have a local dealer so I did buy online.

If the question was about fit then go with the Odyssey - it is a good fit.

[alwayscode390]

I actually got the Odyssey a couple days ago , just haven't had a nice day to install it yet.

I hooked it up to my charger and it was 100% from the factory ... 6 months on the shelf.

I recently got an Optima Red Top for my other vehicle ... hooked it up to the charger and it was 70% from the factory ... 12 months on the shelf.

Looks like the Odyssey is already proving itself even before installation :) .

Thanks for everyone for the tips and heads up , I never would have went this route without your advice ---

[alwayscode390]

I finally got around to installing the Odyssey battery ... WOW is it a tight fit. I am glad I didn't try to fit the Optima.

The car seems to LOVE it too ... not sure if its the 70 degree weather or the new battery , but it starts in 1 second now ... instead of 5-6 seconds like it was before.

YAY!!! :) ---

http://i49.tinypic.com/291kgli.jpg

[Hib Halverson]

Just in case it hasn't been mentioned previously, the Odyssey 75PC1230, which is their new side terminal only unit, bolts right in to a C4.

I just put one in my 95.

Previously, I had to use the Odyssey 75/86 PC1230 with a modified right side cowl-to-fram brace.

I've been using Odysseys for a number of years now in most of my cars. What prompted my changing from Optima Red Tops to Odyssey was what I decided was failing quality of Optimas. The last one I used was subjected to two deep cycles and died 9 months after installation...totally unacceptable in a collector car duty cycle.

So far, Odysseys have extraordinary life in service. Along with the best deep cycle durability I've seen in a car battery. I have one in my '01 Camaro, which was the first Odyssey I installed in 2006. Shelf life seems to be darn good, too. The battery I just put in my 95, had been sitting in my parts storage for two years before I cut open the box and installed it.

What seems to set an Odyssey apart from most other batteries is its ability to provide very short duration very high current flow, such as when starting a high compression engine like an LT5 or an LS7. I have one in my 2G ZR1 and one in my '12 Z06 and in both cases, cold cranking speed increased slightly.

Totally "sold" on Odyssey batteries.

For those looking for bargains, Sears sells some of the Odyssey part numbers as the Die Hard Platinum. It's the same as an Odyssey except for the Die Hard name and a gray rather than orange case.

[Blue Flame Restorations]

Have the Optima in the Turq car. Relocated behind the passenger seat. No problems.

[George Maz]

Totally agree with Hib.

Odyssey & DieHard Platinum are the only choice for my cars, boats, jet ski's. And for the same reason stated, the Optima can't handle repeated deep discharges. The Odyssey (formally Hawker Military Spec) is rated for over 400 deep discharge cycles. The extra price for 99% virgin lead is worth the peace of mind. My Red Flop Optijunk was nothing but aggravation, but it works well as dead weight in my snow tractor now.

I was searching the preferred ODYSSEY size here today because I noticed my recently purchased ZR-1 was slow to crank and the dashboard dimmed. This condition doesn't occur with an ODYSSEY equipped vehicle, so I'm eagerly swapping out the "old tech lead acid" for AGM.

I even splurged for the 25amp ODYSSEY AGM battery charger (rebranded Schumacher) a few months ago.

Sears here doesn't even sell Optima anymore, too many warranty returns so they dumped them in favor of making DieHard Platinum an AGM battery made by ODYSSEY (grey case or Marine blue case) All made by the parent company EnerSys...everything else made by Johnson Controls, which I'm sure you've seen their white vans running around replacing all those lame batteries.
DieHard Platinum has limited selection of sizes for specific applications, just call ODYSSEY directly and speak to the nice lady about your application...she got it right every time so far. If you can find your battery among the Platinum selection, try buying on a Friend's & Family Sunday for additional discount.
My advice on the side terminal style installation is do it yourself. 90% of side terminal issues were related to excessive torque when installed by untrained store personel. 10% was vibration issue.

[alwayscode390]

I agree 100% George ... I figured out Optimas were only good for me when they were in Daily Driver cars.

If they were in anything that sat they went to junk fast and took a miracle to get them to recover.

My Odyssey has been drained fully 3 times already and bounces right back ... and stays strong.

Luckily I have battery tenders hooked up to both now, so they are good to go ... but the Odyssey still takes a tender charge faster. I'm definitely a fan ... thanks for the info! ---

[Locobob]

Rear frame rail mounted Odyssey 925, works great.

http://i418.photobucket.com/albums/pp270/locobob68/IMG_0794.jpg (http://s418.photobucket.com/user/locobob68/media/IMG_0794.jpg.html)

[George Maz]

Odyssey pc925L (+ is left side)
$155 shipped from 4wheelparts.com
https://www.4wheelparts.com/Electrical/Odyssey-Batteries-Extreme-Series-Universal-330-CCA-Top-Post-PC925L.aspx?t_c=72&t_s=12&t_pt=4219&t_pn=ODYPC925L
Stinger spt85303 GM side adapters
$15 eBay https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F40 1071129372
10lbs lighter, stronger smaller battery. The pc925L is now installed in three of the C4's with as expected excellent performance and fitment. I use Odyssey in everything I own, wouldn't even consider any other battery. Been nearly 8 years ...still have all the same batteries!

[George Maz]

Stinger short bolt must be shimmed by using brass colored plate, flat washer, lock washer ...or cut thread length and run threads before installing to terminal threads. I prefered the addition contact area by using the plate.
Install is '96 CE, no battery disconnect retains the key fob proximity door unlock&lock feature.7200

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