Optima Red Top Batteries
 

Hey guys I am planning on buying one of these. Is it the 35 series that fits without any modification? I want the red top because the cranking power is very good. I plan to sometime add an aftermarket stereo system to replace the entire bose set up, but want to make sure this will be strong enough. Otherwise I will get the yellow top. I am trying to find a red top for a good deal. I found a website selling them for $150. Has anyone bought from here? Is the site legit and worth buying from? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

Here is the link: http://www.batteriesareus.com/index....products_id=61

I have the Optima Red Top.
Yes, its the 35 series.
The Optima comes with a height adapter that you'll need to use for our box.
Two adapters come with the battery (labeled A and B).
A and B are combined adapters, so you'll need to remove A and install B to the bottom of the battery.
Other than that, no problems and it works like a charm.

I bought mine at Summit Racing for $150.
Its down the road from me so I didn't need to have it shipped. :)

Make sure you get the 35R, this is the one where the terminals are on the correct side. If you dont get this one you will have to extend the positive terminal.

Also, make sure you find one that has the battery stand with it. If you dont use this, the battery tie down will not work properly.

Is the 35R the same as the 35 series? Also, will I be able to still use the battery cover with the new battery?

The 35 is still a 35 series battery.

The regular 35 if you are looking in the engine bay has the terminals on the left side of the battery requiring you to extend the positive termial.

The 35R (Reverse) places the terminals on the right side of the battery so no modding is required.

I know this because I bought a regular 35 series and had to return it and get the 35R.

Yes the battery cover will still fit.

If you want I can take a pic of it in my engine bay if you prefer?

Sure.

Sure. Thanks for the help.

So will the Red Top be powerful enough for an aftermarket stereo system? I plan to get one in the future and want to make sure the battery won't be the issue. I won't get a system that is extremely powerful though. I want a red top over a yellow top because of the cranking power.

you might want to give it a try at costco if you have one near by. i think they were cheaper than 150... i thought i saw it for around 125

I got the yellow top. Get the 35R like everyone already suggested. I know that you can't go wrong with red... had one for like 7yrs.

Costco doesn't carry the group 35, only the 75/35 which has the posts on the wrong side.

Also, the correct battery is a Group 35; there is no 35R. Group 34R will work though.

Most folks around here go with the "Yellow" top if they are running an aftermarket stereo system.

I don't have an aftermarket system now, but will most likely get one in the near future.

So the 34R will fit fine?

Get a Group 35 Battery as that is what the stock size is.

Part Number from Optima is 8020-164 for Red and 8020-218 for Yellow.

Edit: You can go with other sizes and make them fit, but stock is a Group 35 and since Optima makes a Group 35 there is no reason not to buy the proper one

^ +1

Here

All I know is I got one from AutoZone, a 35 series, it said group 35 on the top and it did not fit. The terminals were on the wrong side.

I looked on here, then called O' Reillys and asked if they had a 35R and they had someone go to another store and pick up the last one in the Dallas area.

Maybe it isnt listed but there is one and thats how O' Reillys identified it.

Label shows it's a Group 35 in the picture you uploaded.

I had the yellow top and it went bad after 14 months, then I got a red top and it has been perfect for over 3 years now.

Also when the yellow top went bad it was strong enough to run all the electronics, but when you put it under load by turning to the start position it would kill everything, when it went dead it went dead, no warning, just one day dead. I have loved the red top though. Just my personal experience.

Oh and Fanatic I love the new wheels man, I do like chrome (see my gallery) but those grey look awesome with your body kit, nicely done!

The 35 series I tried to put in had the terminals on the left side causing the positive terminal to not reach. I took it back and ended up with the 35R.

I honestly can't recall if mine came with the "R" at the end.
I just went to Summit Racing, gave them my car's make/model/year.
They handed me the correct type because mine fit with the terminals on the right side.

Rx8 Fanatic, be sure to get the "spacer" when you get your battery.
Summit Racing +1

I think my battery got killed by the heat :(

This morning when I was cranking my car. Its almost like my starter doesnt even want to turn. Its really slow and *grrr grr grr grrr ...* ok I was like wtf? fine, it still started. drove off.

Tonight. My idle was extremely funky, my navigation can read the ACC Volt value and it saying 10.4 when my engine is off !!!! ~~~ I was like wtf? It has never been that low. When engine is running the range sits between 15.1 to 13.7. So I guess my Alternator works. right ?

Just found the receipt of the TSB, it was done on 08/05/2006, so the battery is about 2 years old. Not good. I can prorate this battery I think. but how much does it cost again? I believe after the first 12 months I have to pay 50% of the MSRP or some crap. This battery's positive lead has been "leaking" for a few months already. I just clean it everytime. cheap crap.

no good. Maybe I should get a Optima around my area. Yellow top maybe ? my bro has a Yellow top in his car for a year something no problem. I can get Red Top but hmm I dunno :(

A good alternator puts out about 14.4 volts out so you are right in that range nycgps. The battery should be around 12.6 volts fully charged with the engine off.

Yellow tops are good for deep cycling, so like it was mentioned before if you have plans to run the audio system without having the engine running the yellow top is the better choice. I personally don't think its a good idea to have any accessories running for more than 15-20 minutes without starting the car. The Red Top would be my choice since it has a better CCA rating than the yellow.

As far as a stock battery if thats all you feel you need, I believe it will be about 90 dollars without any discounts.