Which Optima fits?

Special K · 01-10-2002, 02:19 PM

Decided to go with an Optima battery. Went to the "Optima" web site to see which one to get. According to them (website search), they don't make one to fit the 914. Now I know some of you guy's have installed an Optima, I'm just wondering which one fits the best, and which color (i.e. yellow, red, etc...)

jabez · 01-10-2002, 02:28 PM

I got the "Red One" from Pep Boys. They looked the 914 up in their computer and got me the one that fit. I love it!

01-11-2002, 06:54 AM

When I bought mine they told me it was a one size fits all. They said the yellow was for cars that required major battery drainage i.e. big stereos, .... I bought the red one and it fit perfect, battery clamp and all. I've read in past posts that the battery would not fit in some 914s. I've had a new tray put in mine recently, so either my tray wasn't welded back in the right spot or theirs wasn't.

roadtrp204 · roadtrp204's Garage

Red = starting

These are for your daily driver and race 914s, the common use 914.

Yellow = deep cycle

These are for your 914 RV's 12 volt equipment and lighting. Can also be used as a power supply for the 16 switch, three wheel motion, pimp-daddy hydraulic suspention 914s.

Blue = Marine

These are for the amphibious 914. These are also highly endorced by the Copenhagen sponcered US 914 Bass fishing team. There is not a better bass fishing amphacar made, removable roof for ease of casting and front and rear live bait wells.

All the optimas are the same size. The red one is designed for starting engines and is the one that you need. Mine fit in my 75 with about an inch to spare and used the factory hold down clamp. Mine had a removable spacer on the bottom, removal of this was required for fit.

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

Just about any Optima works fine in a 914. You may have to get a bit creative with mounting some of them, but they work just fine. The fact that you can mount them in any orientation helps a lot with the "creative mounting" bit.

I have two. One is labeled model number 34-1050, and part number 8002-002. This one fits in the 914 using the stock battery tray and clamp, if you're careful.

The other is labeled model number 75/35-925, part number 8022-091, and should fit if you get creative. This is a lighter battery than the other Optima, which is quite heavy. (Light weight==yay!) It has a couple of marine-style terminals as well as the standard car-type ones. And it is physically a bit smaller as well. I got it for my old CRX, because it actually fit in place of the microscopic Honda battery.

--DD