Kj Rockz

If you can get a yellow top, do it. You will never again have any problems. Plus it gives you the top posts so no need to rig it up, its just plain and simpile.

I dont have any problems with it now.

CaysE

Yellow tops are great for big power draw and car audio, but not the best for starting a car with a mildly worked or better engine. These batteries are designed to have a constant output at any power level, which isn't really necessary on a car that doesn't have a winch, big audio system, or anything else that needs plenty of juice.

The red tops are designed for starting a car, and are direct replacement upgrades for any car battery. Typically, it is best to have a red top under the hood and a yellow top in the trunk for an audio system.

There is one other option that Optima just released: the Group 31 battery. It is a yellow top, but has a 900 CCA / 1125 CA rating, which is higher than the red top designed for the thirdgens. This is the replacement you should use if you want one battery to cover it all.

I went with the red top myself, and I've had an iffy alternator for nearly 6 months now. When it gets hot enough, I notice the volts drop down to 11-12, and when sitting in traffic, this is not a good thing. That Optima battery has held firm for over 2 years now with that suffering alt. IMO, the best buy for your money in most applications is the red top.

Kj Rockz

This is the car audio board, so this was generally specfic towards people who are have power spikes.

CaysE

More power to you. I would not have gone with that battery for under the hood, though. Just my opinion.

SLAYER6669

iTrader: (1)

I just bought a yellow top from autozone about a month ago after my regular battery died from sitting through the winter.. It's 600CCA and it actually says it's a starter battery on it too..

Saigon_Bob

iTrader: (2)

i like cayse's idea but where would the yellow top go in a thirdgen.... i dun wanna put that batt in the car with mah audion equip or me..

CaysE

Optima batteries are sealed. The acid is in a gel-like state, so it's not going to spill all over you in an accident or something. Red top goes under the hood, yellow top goes in the trunk, alternator runs to both. I like having good power in an audio system, which is why the yellow top is so appealing; but I also like having power under the hood, which usually calls for a strong starter and a battery that will fire it up quickly and easily. 600 CCA just isn't adequate.

The easier solution, like I said, is to go with the Optima Group 31 battery, for those not willing to run two batteries in the car. Optimally though (pun intended), you want to run two seperate batteries for a strong audio system and a strong engine.

Again, entirely just my own opinion; not trying to step on anyone's toes here.

Saigon_Bob

iTrader: (2)

optimas dont build up hydrogen gasses when in use??

also how would you wire two diff type batts to get the best of both. like would you still get teh cranking amps of the red top and the longevity of teh yellow?

junkyarddog

running two batteries will work the alternator harder.

The batteries can be wired with an isolator or a relay.

If the yellow top works, leave it alone. The SBC has a big flywheel and modern starter motors can turn it over with ease.

I agree, the red top or combo battery would be good for something with high compression, but Kj doesn't seem corncerned about that.

Kj Rockz

Why would I be?

ddn69

Isnt stinger better then Optima? If I was to go with a better battery Id prolly go for stinger.

Nate

Saigon_Bob

iTrader: (2)

i was looking at optimas in summit and they are rated the followin... red top 1050 cca, yellow top 950cca, group31 900cca. the only diff it the red top has 12 mins less reserve capacity than the yellow adn im not sure what the gp31 has( reserve cap is that amount of run time a vehicle has at normal operation without the alt working, i would assume this to be a good comparison for this kinda use of batt)

CaysE

Summit lists the highest rated batteries of each type, but there are different applications for different cars. All thirdgen f-bodies use a 720 CCA Red Top and 600 CCA Yellow Top. All Optima Yellow Tops have a 2 hour reserve at 25 amps constant power draw or something around that; red tops have an advertised 110 minute reserve, but no listing of the power draw in use. I'm assuming it's less than 25 amps, based on their designed function.

I have yet to find the proper Group 31 application for our cars, so no exact numbers for those. Based on design, I'd guess to say they are 800-850 CCA and 155 minute reserve at 25 amps.

You could modify the battery tray to fit a bigger Optima if you wanted to, of course, and throw this thread right out the window.

9177

The yellow top is fine its just major over kill. I've had one for 3+ years now and have had now problems. There really isn't a disadvantage to running a yellow top vs a red top except the price and roughly 100 cca. But unless you plan on running your system with the car off often and for long periods of time or are running a huge system where most likly you need two batteries anyway a red top is more than enough just considering the price difference.

91L98Z28

just to add my two cents, i've got a yellow top in my 71 and I think if I could find a way to mount the starter to the ground, the earth would rotate when i turn the key.

easily the most powerful cranking battery i've ever had..and that's including a red top as well.

my 91 will definately get a yellow top when it comes time; and I don't even have any kind of audio setup in it at all.

yellow tops are also great for cars that aren't driven daily, if the car sits for more than a few days at a time, that's hard on a normal battery.

NEEDAZ

This is the crux of my situation right now. I need a new battery and like the CCA of the red top, but will probably go with the yellow top because I use my 89 as a weekend car that doesn’t get driven every weekend. From what I’ve read the deep cycle yellow top is great for a application like this.

Kj Rockz

It is, believe me. I only start my car up about every two weeks, and move it. It always just starts right up, no problems, no hestation, it just starts.

RSCamaroGuy92

To assert what Cayse said. I'm running around 10.5:1 Compression and I have had nothing but trouble with a yellow top under the hood. As soon as the motor gets hot, I'm usually tapping the key trying to find that "Sweet" Spot in my firing order that the yellow top actually can turn that motor over. I have since changed to the red top and haven't had that problem yet. Which also throughs out the idea that the starter is going out(because its relatively new) and the wiring was checked many times.

I have no idea the amouts of watts that these ppl are carrying, but I haven't had any troube with the red top for 1200 watts total for stereo + amps.

I know the stereo guys don't usually have a high compression motor, but I'm not the usual person. I have to have the best of both worlds.

91L98Z28

10.5 isn't really that high.

get a gear reduction starter and the problem will probably dissapear.

i have one off of a lt1 f-body..came with the t56. works great!

CaysE

I'm with you... I need the best of both worlds and then some. (Fast car, loud system, and comfortable interior! A/C for life.. lol). If you were running that 1200 Watt system with the car off, though, you'd definitely have some problems with the red top.