20 year old Optiima Red R.I.P. What's the latest and greatest battery?

[NiceGuyEddie]

A battery tender extended the life of my battery another two years, but now it's finally dead. Accessories such as fuel pump & turn signals will work on the battery, but not headlights or even footbox blowers.

I heard Optima Batteries aren't that great anymore, but maybe that's old news?

I have a stroker motor so I'd suppose I need Cold Cranking Amps if that matters.

Surprised Optima's are pushing $300 nowadays....

:rolleyes:

[Jeff Kleiner]

Just go buy a good ol' lead acid battery from Autozone, O'Reilly, Advance or one of the other big box stores. Put it in and forget about it for 7 years.

Jeff

[rich grsc]

Stroker motor, so what, has nothing to do with what battery you buy

[NiceGuyEddie]

Back in the late 2000s OldGuy told me hot & cold starts needed more CCA with a stroker motor because they are harder to turn, especially when the engine is hot.

I started with an Autozone battery, I have no memory of why & when I upgraded to an Optima battery but it may have coincided with the stroker upgrade.

[PMD24]

Walmart's Everstart lineup. Consistently get high ratings, and great pricing to boot.

[cv2065]

Walmart Everstart. Can’t go wrong.

[rthomas98]

Whether it is walmart, autozone or Oreily's it is all the same batteries made from the same companies with a different label. Unless you are using AGM batteries there is no difference. The rural king battery in my car has been in there for 4 years now, starts up just like the day I put it in there. Funny I have actually blown two AGM batteries in my F-150 in the time I have had that basic lead acid battery. In short don't over think it.
'

[JMD]

Another vote for Walmart Everstart. They're good batteries and happen to be cheaper than most anything else. I have a small one that cranks my 302 over just fine. Any good battery should be fine for your engine these days.

[Nigel Allen]

I run a basic battery like others have mentioned. I change it out every 4 years. A new basic battery is the same cost as a tank of fuel in Australia. For me, I am about reliability. My roadster starts confidently, stress free, every time I turn the key. I would choose this every time over being stuck with a dead car ruining my leisure time. I can replace this battery 3 times over and still have beer money left, as opposed to the cost of one fancy pants battery..
I don't have a trickle charger and have left the car for up to 10 weeks between starts. However, unlike my northern hemisphere friends, I don't have the freezing temperatures to deal with.

Cheers,

Nige

[J R Jones]

AI Overview
A longer stroke causes a car engine to have more starter drag than a larger bore, assuming the engines have the same displacement and compression ratio.
This is due to the increased leverage on the crankshaft.
I feel you should keep your old Optima so that you can continue to brag about it.
Jump as necessary.
jim

[Rebostar]

I've had really great luck with the Red Top Optima. Spendy but worth it. Remember you get what you pay for. You got 20 years out of the Red Top. You wont get that from the Auto Zone el-cheapo. I got the one with the top cable mounts AND the 5/16 NC side mounts. The side mounts are used for remote jumper cable posts. Really handy for the battery tender as well. I have a trunk mounted battery. It all makes for a very clean installation.

Happy Trails
223965223966

[NiceGuyEddie]

https://www.walmart.com/ip/EverStart-Plus-Lead-Acid-Automotive-Battery-Group-Size-58-12-Volt-560-CCA-78-RC/971775951?classType=REGULAR&from=/search

OK so Walmart Everstart it is. Only small concern is what OldGuy told me years ago, The Everstart is 560 cca and the Optima is 720 cca

For the battery type and form factor, I am nearly certain it was just 1990 Mustang. Can someone confirm this?

They may have these on the shelf so I suppose I can always go to measure.

Problem is, I have to go to Walmart. :p

EDIT:

I don't know how to quote from other threads but I just found this from Rich.

I have used an Odyssey PC-680 for 6 years, it is rated at 170A. It has never had an issue starting my 10.5 to 1 compression 331. It has an inrush amp rate of 520A, continuous rate of 170A, the AGM-28L has an inrush amp rate of 675A, continuous rate of 275A

More than enough for a V-8