Hey guys! Hope everyone has had a great summer! It’s been super warm by me, but cooler temps are around the corner. My current battery in my 77 aspen with the 383 big block just took a dump on me. It was a flooded type interstate battery with 810 CCA. That particular battery was a Costco special……I was never super impressed with it. However, I have true interstate batteries from actual interstate battery dealers in my daily vehicles and have been impressed with them. My big question is do I stick with an interstate flooded type battery direct from interstate, or do I go with a red/yellow top optima AGM? I’ve heard good things about the XS power batteries, but they are pricey (400-500 bucks). What’s everyone running these days? Thanks in advance for all of the suggestions! Picture of my ride for attention!
Battery suggestions for F body big block swap
- Thread starter 77rod
- Start date
volare 1977
Well-Known Member
May be better selections nowadays but in the past I always went to battery warehouse and got the best battery they had that would fit in my battery tray. I also had used the red top optima batteries in the past and the newer ones don`t seem to be as good as the older ones.
M_Body_Coupe
Well-Known Member
I had the Optima RedTop (Group 34, CA=100, CCA=800, RC=100) in my Coupe for about 11 yrs...that took me through all the start-ups, tuning events, etc...point being: plenty of cranking going on. That thing was $200 back in 2012.
That battery was replaced ONLY because one of the battery posts developed a crack and eventually split right off. For all I know it could have been me, maybe hitting it somehow, etc...the post break actually was located in the plastic case, weird looking, like a crack through the post actually. I had actually emailed Optima the photos asking for a discount on a replacement battery (seeing as this one was still holding charge, no issues otherwise), but sadly I did not get a response.
I replaced it with another RedTop, same specs as the previous one. The new one cost me $350 in 2023.
That battery was replaced ONLY because one of the battery posts developed a crack and eventually split right off. For all I know it could have been me, maybe hitting it somehow, etc...the post break actually was located in the plastic case, weird looking, like a crack through the post actually. I had actually emailed Optima the photos asking for a discount on a replacement battery (seeing as this one was still holding charge, no issues otherwise), but sadly I did not get a response.
I replaced it with another RedTop, same specs as the previous one. The new one cost me $350 in 2023.
Mikes5thAve
Well-Known Member
After having problems with multiple Costco batteries, International and a bunch of others I've been using Walmart batteries and never had a problem. The oldest is 8 years old, just got one for my Crown Vic a couple weeks ago and will be buying an M body size one any day now.
One huge plus is if there is a problem it's more convenient to deal with then a lot of other places.
One huge plus is if there is a problem it's more convenient to deal with then a lot of other places.
AMC Diplomat
Well-Known Member
I used to run optima batteries in my Panthers and other Fords. Honestly, they're not worth it for a street car. I have Advance Auto and Autozone batteries that have lasted longer. And I used optima when they were still considered "good" batteries.
If you want to be really cheap, and like rolling the dice, buy the $70 Autozone batteries that only come with a 90 day warranty. They're the same batteries that come with 2 year warranties that cost twice or three times as much. The "warranty" is just you pre paying for a replacement. Autozone doesn't keep the cheapo batteries on the customer facing shelves; they keep them in the back. The last time I bought one the goofball behind the counter tried to shame me into buying a more expensive battery. Didn't work.
Also, the local junkyards by me sell used, tested, batteries for $35. For $2 more you can get a junkyard exchange warranty.
If you want to be really cheap, and like rolling the dice, buy the $70 Autozone batteries that only come with a 90 day warranty. They're the same batteries that come with 2 year warranties that cost twice or three times as much. The "warranty" is just you pre paying for a replacement. Autozone doesn't keep the cheapo batteries on the customer facing shelves; they keep them in the back. The last time I bought one the goofball behind the counter tried to shame me into buying a more expensive battery. Didn't work.
Also, the local junkyards by me sell used, tested, batteries for $35. For $2 more you can get a junkyard exchange warranty.
Thank you for the advice! I am currently considering a yellow top optima battery because of your good luck with optima. I may go with a red top but trying to figure out what size I should go with in general.
I don't even know what's in the Fifth. It's an 800cca something. I think it's a name brand. It's seven years old now. My F150 has a no name in it that went dead from not being used. Shocked it back to life with a stick welder and it's been fine for three years now.
I only pay around $200 for a battery. Suited me well so far.
I only pay around $200 for a battery. Suited me well so far.
80mirada
Well-Known Member
Mine is a Continental 750 cca. Mine is trunk mounted and has a remote vent
Hey Guys! I just wanted to update to the post and let everyone know that I ended up going with a group 27 840 CCA Duracell brand battery from batteries plus. I found a decent number of good reviews on them, so I figured I would give it a shot. I've got an interstate (from an intestate store, not from a big box) in my 2013 Camry, so it will be interesting to see which one seems to be better. Thanks everyone for the great feedback!
200 bucks for a battery??
I just got a new one for my Charger (70Ah, dunno CCA) for 75 EUR/approx 90 USD incl shipping...
And I thought those are more expensive over here in Europe...
M_Body_Coupe
Well-Known Member
WWWHHHHAAAATTTTTT???
No, seriously, what happened here? Was the post connector loose and the thing just kept on jummping around resulting in the post itself melting down???
Holy crap!!!
