I need a new battery for my 69 RS. I show the car two or three times a year. I also am in the process of upgrading as much as I can (heading down the pro-touring path).
I had an AC Delco battery in the car and it looked good for the shows. I have had trouble locating a new post terminal battery to replace the one that was in there.

My question is there any performance batteries out there that would show well and perform better than the stock type?

Optima?
Gel Cell?

If getting away from stock style(?), then Optima is different looking.

Otherwise, Interstate would be one brand I'd suggest.

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Everett "OBJECTS IN THE MIRROR APPEAR QUICKLY UPON RAPID DECELERATION"

I have read some bad things on this site about the Optima batteries not lasting more than a year. I have no personal experience but that is allot of money for such a short battery life.

I do have personal experience with Interstate batteries and would never buy one again. I had one blow up in my engine compartment. It was only a year old. There are some old posts on this site about the Interstate batteries and apparently it has happened to other people here.

Optima Red Top. I just installed one in my '68 Z that I plan on starting this weekend after the re-build. I have never had a battery spin the motor over like this does. Plus, no vapors, corrosion and it has full 3 year replacement (no pro rating) guarantee. If you shop around you can get them at COSTCO and many auto part stores. I got mine from Interstate Batteries for about $117. A little pricey no doubt, but worth it for the corrosion issue alone.

If you are concerned about appearance look at the Battery Topper. After years of buying repro R59 at $120-150 a pop I bought a topper online and an Exide battery at Schucks for $40 and you have to really get close or touch to notice the difference. Ironically the car was judged at the Chevy convention in B.C. last summer and it was not noticed!! Jim

I have been using the Duralast from Autozone. Never had any problems and I really don't think you can beat the warranty. I know they are made by Johnson Controls, who also make batteries for several otehr "brand names". I don't have any experience with Optima but they are also sold at Autozone.

I have an Exide spiral cell battery- same as an Optima- and it is the stongest battery i have ever seen. left my lights on overnight with it once, hooked up a battery charger for an hour, and it was charged back up and able to start the car.

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1971 Nova(looks like 69 camaro from underneath!)
355sb, vortec heads, HOT cam,T-10 tranny, 3.70 gears 16X8" IROC wheels. 12" Corvette brakes on the way.
see dirty pics here of a car that gets driven http://community.webshots.com/user/novaderrik

What about using a marine battery for boats?

My car sits for long periods of time without being run. Marine batteries are meant to be treated like this.

Any opinions?

I have been using the same Optima 'Yellow Top' deep cycle battery for going on 6.5 years.

FYI, 'Red Top' Optimas do NOT like to be cycled. They have to have a trickle charge on them if in a storage condition. 'Yellow Top' Optimas on the other hand liked to be cycled and have pretty much the same CCA but have a longer reserve.

The batteries from Interstate are relabeled Optimas, so no change there. The newer battery from Exide would also be a good choise, but the technology will act the same in just about any of those types of batteries......which means that the standard 'starting' battery will want to have a trickle charge on it if stored and it wont respond well to cycling. The standard 'Deep cycle' battery on the other hand would be a better choise. Although not designated as a 'starting' battery, it will perform just fine.

[This message has been edited by chicane67 (edited 01-23-2003).]

I was tought in my electronics classes that a deep-cycle battery has stronger internals to resist sulfating when cycled, unlike standard batteries.

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Matt Jones
1969 Base Camaro
Vortec 355, Perf. RPM, Demon Carb., TH-400
All sheetmetal is NOS GM
See my UPDATED webpage at: http://www.geocities.com/compuboy007/ (Updated: 1/13/03)