Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Zetec Maintenance Mounting Optima Battery?

I was wondering for those who have successfully mounted an Optima Red Top battery in their 'Tour. Is it a straight drop in replacement or did you need to modify things?

From what I can gather from online specs it's a pretty tight sqeeze height wise and it appears that the + and - terminals are opposite what they should be and turning the battery around might not leave enough clearance room.

TIA on any info, I hope you bring good news. I'd like to be able to squeeze one in because I'm getting a helluva deal on it ~$80-$85, but If it's going to be a huge pain I might have to pass up the deal and get an different battery.

If you're using the stock terminals then you shouldn't have any problems just dropping the new one in. Yes, the terminals are reversed but I can't remember anything that will be a problem for you. Its been a while since I had my stock battery in so you'll have to forgive my lack of confirmation. Email me if you'd like a pic or two.

Thanks for the help SQPlus, I think it'll fit fine, I'll know for sure by noon today. I'll report back and let you know how it went.

From what I have seen the regular batteries with the same ratings )cold cranking power etc) have the same warranty as the Optimas, only diff is the gel fill on the optimas versus water and plates but warranty the same and regular battery $20-$50 less expensive.

IMHO not worth the extra money for the gel.

Which regular batteries?

Depends.

If you have your battery relocated tot he trunk, the Optima can be mounted in any position, even upside down, and doesn't 'need' a vent tube, and can be completely enclosed.

You surely can't say the same about 'regular' batteries.

John

Well the Optima's a no go, friend screwed up when he priced it for me. He was going to get it for me at nearly cost but their cost on the Optima's is $110 which is too much for me right now. Oh well thanks for the help anyway.

I put in the Yellow Top in the stock loaction. It fit with room to spare. I did have to hack off the stock terminals though. They were backwarrds and they had that crappy angled connection piece for the smaller wires.

I spliced everything to 4AWG pieces to Esoteric Audio battery treminals. I think it was $170 for the yellow top.

BTW, the yellow top is worth it. I could run my car stereo for three hours with the engine off.

Well hopefully this works. This is my Optima install.

Picture brought to you in part my Joe hector has been digging through my website I see