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Need a new battery for the SVT -- got any suggestions?

J

JimD

CEG'er
Joined
Nov 12, 2004
Messages
87
Location
Surf City, USA
Finally need a new battery -- can't put it off any longer.

It currently has a Bosch which was in there when I acquired the car in October of 2004, and I'm not sure how old it was at that time. Bosch batteries are available at Pep Boys and I've got a $10 coupon from their website for a $50 or better purchase. I think they're close to a sawbuck.

Other considerations are the 2nd from top-of-the-line Walmart, as that's the only model that has an application for the SVT, and possibly an Autozone Duralast.

I have no mods, so keep that in mind.

I really want to stick with a traditional lead-acid battery -- no Orbital or Optima.

Got any good suggestions?

Thanks!
 
I just bought a Duralast 40R for my totally dead battery. It was $95 with tax and core. I should have gotten a Advanced Auto Silver battery, they put out 725 CCAs compared to the Duralast's 575. Not sure how much the Silver batt is though.
 
I just got a Walmart battery yesterday. It was 70 bucks total. I figures I'd give it a try. My only other option was a $95 Duralast. Both batteries have the same 2 year free replacement.
 
Bosch batteries were rated very well across the board in a Consumer Reports test, which prompted me to put on in my 6 to replace the 5 1/2 year-old OEM battery. It's only 2-3 months old right now, so I really can't say much except it does what it should well so far.

With tax and whatever, you're about right on the price... I think they're normally $90.
 
Motorcraft batteries don't seem to be to bad, most of the ones I have purchased have met or exceeded my expectations and dealers often do have them on sale.
 
Csvtny said:
I just got a Walmart battery yesterday. It was 70 bucks total. I figures I'd give it a try. My only other option was a $95 Duralast. Both batteries have the same 2 year free replacement.
Click to expand...

You must have gotten the Plus Power. Upon some more research, I guess all the Contours used the same 40R battery from 1997-2000... didn't realize that.

I'm leaning toward this battery, but I wish they had our size in the Walmart Everstart Maxx because of the warranty.

According to autobatteries.com (a site run by battery giant Johnson Controls Inc.), the proper WalMart EverStart Plus Power group size 40R puts out 590 CCA. They don't have any other output number online.

Just checking the size 47-B Bosch I have (a previous owner installed it) it's rated as follows:

Cold Craning Amps: 590
Cranking Amps at 32 degrees: 735
Reserve: 85

Other than I got the car from a wholesale dealer, I have no other reason to figure why it may actually have that battery in there.

Strangely, living in the suburbs where chain stores rule, going to the closest NAPA store has become an inconvenience since two went out of business in recent years. But I have almost everything else except Advance Auto close by.

The Autozone Duralast Gold looks like it's $95+ in their size 96R and has the 3 year free replacement warranty.

CA: 850
CCA 590
Reserve Capacatiy: 95

The Duralast regular looks like it's $88+ in size 40R, has similar specs to my current battery, and has the 2 year free replacement warranty.

CA: 590
CCA 735
Reserve Capacatiy: 105


Not sure I want to choke down close to a sawbuck. I like the idea of $70, so the reasonably priced Walmart Everstart Plus Power (with 2 year replacement warranty) may be the way to go if the CCA and Reserve numbers are somewhere in the acceptable range.


Thanks for everybody's feedback. More suggestions are welcome!
 
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Just replaced mine in Oct 09 with an OEM Motorcraft from the dealer.

I'd spend the extra $ for piece of mind & buy an OEM Motorcraft from your local Ford dealer. $99.95 installed but is a quality battery that comes with an 8 year/100% free replacement warranty. BUT if you were to utilize that free replacement in the warranty period, make sure you keep your receipt from the Ford parts counter. If you don't have that; no free replacement battery.
 
According to fordparts.com, the best Motorcraft battery "free replacement" period is 36 months -- It's important not to confuse the prorate length of time and the "free replacement" timeframe.
 
JimD said:
According to fordparts.com, the best Motorcraft battery "free replacement" period is 36 months -- It's important not to confuse the prorate length of time and the "free replacement" timeframe.
Click to expand...


My fathers a Service Manager at a Ford dealership. $99.95 installed before his discount and an 8 year warranty. Just have to have the receipt and can be replaced at any Ford dealer.
 
The Motorcraft in our Windstar last until winter 08/09, don't remember if we made it into the new year or not before replacing, but it was 10 years old with no problems until the cold set in that last year. The original Motorcraft in the SVT is still going strong also.
 
For everyone concerned about the CCAs, these 550/590 numbers are MORE than enough for a Contour. The Optima Yellow Top in my Cobra has 650 CCA and turned over a newly built 5.0 motor effortlessly.

I know they are pricey but if you do decide to go wtih an Optima do NOT get a red top. The yellows are the way to go for the deep cycle capability.
 
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