BATTERY for 83 SC

[b rock]

What's a good battery for an '83 targa?

[wwest]

Group 49 battery-acid

[Wil Ferch]

Use a red top Optima...non-venting design is especially good 1.) doesn't leak which can otherwise cause big-time corrosion and front suspension pan damage, and 2.) doesn't vent such that the NEARBY fuse and relay area won't corrode and cause problems.

You will need to fab a mounting plate. Do a search. A thick aluminum plate or plastic kitchen cutting board can be your starting point. Templates are offered in some threads.

Wouldn't go for a HUGE group 49...that is stock and way too big. Venting/leak issues remain too. You can use group 43 which the car accommodates with different mounting bracket hole. If you go normal lead-acid battery....use one with a vent nipple so you can attach a hose and direct vent to outside the car. Trust me on this.

[81 SC Ray]

Or - 68 bucks at Autozone will do the trick and that is with a 5 year warranty - it fit perfect and cranks great as well.

[Joe Bob]

I've used the Optima Yellow top....5+ years.

[Wil Ferch]

Continue thinking venting/leaking problem...especially vexing for our cars.

Optima yellow top....good for deep cycle discharge....Red top is the recommended normal "car use" battery...typ costs less than yellow and has longer warranty....IIRC

[scottb]

For a conventional lead-acid battery...Costco. Great batteries, and the price and warranty can't be beat!

[Joe Bob]

Originally Posted by Wil Ferch

Continue thinking venting/leaking problem...especially vexing for our cars.

Optima yellow top....good for deep cycle discharge....Red top is the recommended normal "car use" battery...typ costs less than yellow and has longer warranty....IIRC

I use the Yellow top due to it sitting a lot. Now that I have a battery tender, not that big an issue, but in the past, I've discharged it to the max. I'm notorious for leaving the parking lights on.

[450knotOffice]

I've used a lead acid battery for years and I'm going to swap out to Optima Red top. My old battery is starting to cause some small issues right where I have had a vent line through a small hole in the pan. I had to replace the pan about six years ago and I'm not doing it again! Time to nip it in the bud.

[RSTarga]

Optima, I'll never put a lead acid in my car again---see above comments.

[nineball]

kinetik. i used an hc800.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/551173-another-battery-install-thread.html

[Pazuzu]

My red top was put in about 10 years and 40K miles ago by the PO.

I left the car sitting with the lights on all day yesterday at work (8 hours).

Car started on the 4th spin of the starter instead of the normal 2nd spin.


I have only bought Optimas for my last three cars. they cost twice as much, but they last 3 times as long. My 10 year old battery regularly jumps other cars, vans, and full sized American 3/4 ton trucks without blinking.

[KNS]

I am currently cutting out rusted metal underneath the battery tray and will weld in a new battery tray on my otherwise rust free Socal and AZ car. I'm done with lead acid batteries and am going to an Optima.

Question: I was at Autozone yesterday and the Red Top Optimas did not have the four holes in the base of the battery to mount on to a plate. Has anyone else seen this and what to do about it?

[b rock]

Thank everyone for your replies. I went to Optima web site and thy said there wasn't an application fror Porsche. I've already replaced suspension pan and don't want to repeat that experience. Advanced Auto Parts are dealers. I went on line yesterday and I think they were offering a 40% discount on purchases over $150. that can be bought on line and picked up in store with free installation. Again thanks to everyone for their information. Regards B ROCK

[gilach]

i have a Duralast for the past 3yrs, battery older...not a daily driver, to my surprise i've had no issues.

[AlfonsoR]

Originally Posted by b rock

Thank everyone for your replies. I went to Optima web site and thy said there wasn't an application fror Porsche. I've already replaced suspension pan and don't want to repeat that experience. Advanced Auto Parts are dealers. I went on line yesterday and I think they were offering a 40% discount on purchases over $150. that can be bought on line and picked up in store with free installation. Again thanks to everyone for their information. Regards B ROCK

I agree, sealed battery is the way to go. I bought a braile 1734, iirc. 17lbs light vs about 40 lbs. Only thing is, the battery is so much smaller, I had to make bracket for it. No big deal though. Bought it from Jegs.

[dshepp806]

Ilike big arse batteries.............Bosches.

Doyle
'

[Wil Ferch]

Big batteries also put uneccesary strain on our "topping-up" alternators. Our alternators are not high-capacity shop-type rechargers.

Of course....there is no "Porsche size".....I mentioned that the Optima to use will require the fabrication of a base plate that gets attached to the battery....and the whole shebang then gets placed into the battery tray and uses the rear "lip" in the car to catch the baseplate. It's all in the archives including templates.

You will also find that the terminal post locations on Optima are on opposite sides than normal, and you will need to fit a longer ( 9"-14"...forget the exact size) longer ground strap. Not a biggie....mounts to the chassis nearby via a screw/bolt.

Wasn't aware that the newest Optimas don't have the small mounting holes at their base...maybe they can be drilled where they always were.

Here's a thread to get you started--> http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/583506-what-size-optima-89-carrera.html

Another one, pics, template, battery size, etc----> http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/328799-optima-power.html

[aualexa2]

I just put in an Optima Red Top. It had two mounting holes on one side. I had to drill the two on the other side. Simple to do, especially if you're making the mounting plate and need to drill the holes in that as well.

[dshepp806]

Factory fresh alt/VR,..just like they did it....I'm just gonna ensure I've a brand new big arse battery.. I never wait for these to fail......

..dry IS nice, however!

Doyle