What battery do you guys use for a 455 high compression motor? Is there a way to tell what CCA rating should be used. Are the Optima or Lightweight racing batteries any good like the Braille?
Optima batterys are way overpriced.All batterys have a life expectancy of 3-4 years for normal use.Yes i know,some of you brag about having one that lasts for 10 years,but it is putting undue stress on the entire electrical system.Costco/NAPA batterys are what i use,$60 every 3-4 years aint bad.NO K-mart crap BTW,i see those things bad off the shelf:spank:
Thanks Jamie, I agree about the NAPA batteries. They seem like they are reasonably priced but the one I was looking at is 48 lbs. Just wondering if there are any good light weight batteries. I know the battery gets its power from the plate thickness so how do these light weight racing batteries work?
I used a stock Delco battery in the 71. That has 12.5-1's in it. Spins it over just fine. I take it this is a race car? If you want to do something, take that 50 lb battery and move it to the trunk. It has the same effect as setting your engine back in the chassis.
I have always used sears gold batteries. When you go back for a new one, they give me credit towards a new one. Everytime. Never broke down because of battery issues. Never.
More or less. The motor is 14 to 1 and the battery is in the trunk. I know Sear's, Delco and NAPA are good batteries but if I can I would like to use the lightest battery possible. Thanks for the responses.
You can look at the cranking amp rating of the battery. I've noticed that the 350 cars battery, was lower amperage than the battery I used to use in my 4 cylinder car but a smaller form factor. I went with the one with a higher amp rating but smaller form factor. you may just need to look around. however it may not fit in the factory battery hold down clip.
I use the Optima red top mounted in the trunk of my racecar.I'm not impressed with it and it let me down at BPG nats.in Columbus.Still, I'm not that picky about baterieso No:
There are only three battery manufacturers in the US- East Penn, Exide, and Johnson Controls. No matter what battery you buy, its made by one of these three companies.
For a light weight battery the Champion isn't a bad choice. Yes, it is only good for one year. That's what you get in exchange for high CCA in a light package. Flimsier plates. No real way around that I know of. Jim
That is what I figured. I didnt understand how a light weight battery could give such a high cranking amp rating. So big money in terms of batteries for a life span of one year. I am not that much of a hardcore racer so I will probably end up with a NAPA or Sears battery. I was just looking for an easy way to take off some weight. Why? I am not familiar with Deka. You are not the first I heard that is not impressed with the Optima. Thanks guys for your responses.
Check out the walmart batteries. Look at the mid grade ones (middle road warranty) and they should say Johnson controls pretty small on the label. they are also good batteries. I've heard that they also make the batteries for sears. Die-hard. Some how though the walmart ones are different than the ones at sams club. Not sure why.
I was going to say that, but didn't know the details. I used to sell batteries and the truck would have all kinds of brands from the same plant. We usually by blems from interstate. If you have a source or know the dealer, you can save a lot of money if the case is off color or has a scratch.
How does the Optima stress the entire electrical system? I bought an Optima for my wifes 49 Packard. ( 6 volt ) It's hard to find a good 6 volt battery that will fit the long narrow battery box. They all go belly up in about 6 months even though I disconnect them when it's sitting. Anyway this Optima has worked better than anything we have had in the car for the last 10 years. it has over 800 CCA and spins the old Pack over like it has a 12 volt. I don't want to mess up the electrical system though. Bob H.
Have a sares gold in the trunk (1000 cca) that is about five years old. It is holding up great, it is getting my aternator to stay with me.
I think a lot of battery problems are caused by junk alternators. I bought a 100 Amp Powermaster and Optima Red Top in June 2004 and put on the car and have had zero problems since then. Had all kinds of charging/starting issues prior to that.
