Best Non-OEM Replacement Battery for The 8?
12-23-2008, 01:52 PM
#26
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anyone looked into the kinetik battery? they have one for sound systems and high performance plus they weigh less than half of the factory battery. I'm looking into getting one. I know rx8evo has one in his car, and he loves it. I think he could even get the batteries if you pmed him.. just my two cents. heres the link
http://www.kinetikpower.com/
http://www.kinetikpower.com/
12-23-2008, 02:32 PM
#27
Excellent!
I've had the new[er] starter and [Interstate] battery since I picked up my March-build 2005 in latter March '06. Haven't had any problems; easy starts and no floods. I do have my semi-hibernating battery on a Battery Tender this Winter and may replace it with a Red Top before the following Winter. It just 'feels' like it's getting weaker. Interstate is a very good battery; the Optima Red Top has a bit better shock absorption, etc.
"Optima RedTop Starting 12 volt batteries, featuring Spiralcell technology, are designed for all of your starting needs. Vibration and jarring, whether from off-road use or major potholes, can kill a traditional battery. The tightly wound construction in Optima batteries minimizes the plate movement and subsequent damage caused by harsh conditions, extending battery life. These Optima RedTop batteries are leakproof, so they can be mounted anyplace inside a vehicle, in almost any position."
I've had the new[er] starter and [Interstate] battery since I picked up my March-build 2005 in latter March '06. Haven't had any problems; easy starts and no floods. I do have my semi-hibernating battery on a Battery Tender this Winter and may replace it with a Red Top before the following Winter. It just 'feels' like it's getting weaker. Interstate is a very good battery; the Optima Red Top has a bit better shock absorption, etc.
"Optima RedTop Starting 12 volt batteries, featuring Spiralcell technology, are designed for all of your starting needs. Vibration and jarring, whether from off-road use or major potholes, can kill a traditional battery. The tightly wound construction in Optima batteries minimizes the plate movement and subsequent damage caused by harsh conditions, extending battery life. These Optima RedTop batteries are leakproof, so they can be mounted anyplace inside a vehicle, in almost any position."
Update: My dealer (a newly opened one) is fantastic. They kept the car overnight, left it outside, and tried to start it this morning and had some trouble.
They are replacing the starter motor and battery per the TSB under warranty.
The fact they did what they did shows their good faith at trying (and succeeding) at duplicating the problem.
I could not be happier with a dealership experience.
They are replacing the starter motor and battery per the TSB under warranty.
The fact they did what they did shows their good faith at trying (and succeeding) at duplicating the problem.
I could not be happier with a dealership experience.
12-23-2008, 08:49 PM
#28
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I've had good luck with Advance Auto's Autocraft Titanium batteries in a couple of vehicles.
If anything happens to the Mazda battery in the RX-8, I'll probably put one of these in.
Doubt if the Autocraft Titanium is the "best" though.
If anything happens to the Mazda battery in the RX-8, I'll probably put one of these in.
Doubt if the Autocraft Titanium is the "best" though.
12-24-2008, 02:50 AM
#29
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I plan on getting a Braille Battery if anyone has heard of those. Super lightweight sealed batteries that put out a good amount of CCA's.
http://braillebattery.com/index.php/batteries/b106c/
^ That's the extreme lightweight one for sure, would definitely appreciate that but not for daily use.
As far as 'normal' batteries go I haven't had any issues with the upgraded Interstate battery
http://braillebattery.com/index.php/batteries/b106c/
^ That's the extreme lightweight one for sure, would definitely appreciate that but not for daily use.
As far as 'normal' batteries go I haven't had any issues with the upgraded Interstate battery
12-28-2008, 11:18 PM
#34
dammit i love my car...
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btw i have a kirkland battery from costco, works great!
12-30-2008, 03:15 PM
#35
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Is there a CCA benchmark we should stay above? I think I read that the upgraded OEMs were in the 540s? Not sure - I will be buying a new battery tomorrow and am deciding between a red top optima (found one for $129) and some other brands with CCAs in the 650s, all around $75-$85. No aftermarket stereo system - just need clean starting power...don't know if the extra $45-$50 for the red top is worth it or not...
12-30-2008, 03:23 PM
#36
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I plan on getting a Braille Battery if anyone has heard of those. Super lightweight sealed batteries that put out a good amount of CCA's.
http://braillebattery.com/index.php/batteries/b106c/
^ That's the extreme lightweight one for sure, would definitely appreciate that but not for daily use.
As far as 'normal' batteries go I haven't had any issues with the upgraded Interstate battery
http://braillebattery.com/index.php/batteries/b106c/
^ That's the extreme lightweight one for sure, would definitely appreciate that but not for daily use.
As far as 'normal' batteries go I haven't had any issues with the upgraded Interstate battery
12-30-2008, 03:37 PM
#37
The Professor
I had the Odyssey PC680, it starts the car just fine but as rotor said, you really are taking a gamble. You have maybe 4-6 Cranks of 6 sec each before the battery is drained. Its definitely not a battery would would want if you were flooded or lost part of a seal. But then again if you lost part of a seal you would have bigger problems than just getting your car to start.
12-30-2008, 05:19 PM
#38
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Is there a CCA benchmark we should stay above? I think I read that the upgraded OEMs were in the 540s? Not sure - I will be buying a new battery tomorrow and am deciding between a red top optima (found one for $129) and some other brands with CCAs in the 650s, all around $75-$85. No aftermarket stereo system - just need clean starting power...don't know if the extra $45-$50 for the red top is worth it or not...
What kind of warranty do the $75-$85 batteries have? Red Top is 3 year free replacement; 3 more years prorated.
12-30-2008, 06:10 PM
#39
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01-01-2009, 10:28 AM
#40
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Be aware that if you need a battery immediately, the Red Top 35R might be hard to find. Locating a 35 was easy, but I called 9 places and no one had a 35R, and my situation required something sooner than waiting on an order whether thru a retailer or on-line, so I ended up going with a retailer brand top of the line battery that has a 3 year full replacement warranty and a 84 month total warranty. Has 640 CCA's and is made by Johnson Controls.
01-01-2009, 11:09 AM
#41
35R? Why?
35 Red Top, as RX-8 recommended: http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
35 Red Top, as RX-8 recommended: http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
Be aware that if you need a battery immediately, the Red Top 35R might be hard to find. Locating a 35 was easy, but I called 9 places and no one had a 35R, and my situation required something sooner than waiting on an order whether thru a retailer or on-line, so I ended up going with a retailer brand top of the line battery that has a 3 year full replacement warranty and a 84 month total warranty. Has 640 CCA's and is made by Johnson Controls.
01-01-2009, 11:19 AM
#43
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The terminals are on the wrong side - you'd have to get an extension for the positive one - the 35R is a reverse.
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...optima+red+top
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...optima+red+top
01-02-2009, 10:58 AM
#45
OK, thanks. Strange that Summit Racing wouldn't know of this.
The terminals are on the wrong side - you'd have to get an extension for the positive one - the 35R is a reverse.
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...optima+red+top
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...optima+red+top
01-02-2009, 11:17 AM
#46
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01-03-2009, 11:56 AM
#47
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The terminals are on the wrong side - you'd have to get an extension for the positive one - the 35R is a reverse.
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...optima+red+top
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...optima+red+top
There is no Group 35R, only a group 35; See post # 19
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-aftermarket-performance-modifications-23/optima-red-top-batteries-151027/
01-03-2009, 01:46 PM
#48
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There is no Group 35R, only a group 35; See post # 19
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=151027
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=151027
I found 6 places that could order a 35-R so I'm pretty positive there is one - but I didn't end up going with that so I don't have one in front of me to confirm that.
Last edited by amstarvid; 01-03-2009 at 03:13 PM.
01-03-2009, 02:23 PM
#49
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I did not buy this myself, my info is from other older posts here and from several battery retailers - there are pics somewhere on here showing how you have to use terminal extensions to get the regular one to work, but again, I do not speak from first hand experience.
01-04-2009, 11:01 AM
#50
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I did not buy this myself, my info is from other older posts here and from several battery retailers - there are pics somewhere on here showing how you have to use terminal extensions to get the regular one to work, but again, I do not speak from first hand experience.
This thread (post 33) shows the extensions you are talking about; but the battery is not a Group 35, rather a Group 75/35. Maybe the "retailers" are calling a Group 75/35 a Group 35R.
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-aftermarket-performance-modifications-23/optima-red-top-batteries-151027/page2/