Over the past weekend i was out of town and came back to dead battery. I jumpstarted it and the car started for a couple of days but with a little trouble and is dead again today. Because the car started i'm thinking the alternator has nothing to do with it, and i just need a new battery, right? The date on the batter was August of 2000, and batteries usually last around 3 years correct? what CCA should I look for when buying a new batter for my LT1?

 

Take the battery to Autozone and they will test it for free.

Personally, i like the Optima Red Top Batteries.

 

How do i determine how many cold cranking amps i need for my car???

 

Autozone can look up your car in there computer and it will tell them which battery you need to get the right amps.

 

You got 3 years outta your battery????? Lucky ****, I wish I could get 2 outta mine. It's definately your battery not the alternator. Once the battery sits and goes....the cells are all shot and even recharging them wont help.

 

450 amps is enough to crank a stock motor. 600+ is good to have

 

my gm ac delco battery lasted 7 years!! cant go wrong with a optima, do you have a asound system? you can always get a diehard!

 

I got a diehard gold...best they have. 75 bucks. Works very well( my alternator is going out, and it took out the battery with it, and the alternator is being shipped to my house as we speak)

 

I personally like my Redtop also. Though the Interstate that was in it lasted 3 years in AZ heat.

 

Get a battery with a higher CCA then recommended. It wont hurt your car a bit cause they all put out 12.6 operating. But having the extra there helps extend the life of the battery. I've also liked what I've heard about the Optima Battery.

 

My last red top Optima was in my car for 7 years +, then i sold that car and the Optima was still running strong. I even drove 3 hours on that battery with the alternator going out.

Do not get a yellow top Optima, i had one and it only lasted for 5 years.

All of the Optimas i have used have been on daily driven cars.

 

I read a battery technical article that stated that the battery construction to get high CCA (i.e. 850) was inferior and would cause pre-mature failure. They recommended that you get a 600 CCA battery. I've been getting 3 - 4 year life out of Costco batteries. You can pick one up for $36; certainly not as good as an Optima, but a lot cheaper! By the way, Costco also sells Optima batteries.

 

where does ur guys battery gauge sit?

when ur driving on the freeway?

and when ur idling?

i am used to it being 14 or so... but in my car its usually more like 12 and if i got the lights and fogs on and im sitting at a light it'll go down to the red line.

what does this mean?

 

optimas are BETTER than sliced bread. it may cost a little more, but it saves me so much frustration. used to like interstate, until they died in 2 of my cars after 2-3 years. red top was $99 from costco last time I checked, but you might need a mounting adapter depending on your car.