Nopstnz8

iTrader: (6)

Here is the thread:

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...ma+red+top+34r

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

You can try summitracing maybe?

I received a 30 bucks off 100+ dollars coupon 2 weeks ago, I used it for buying Red Line 10w40. maybe u can find some of those deals online, so u can get the 35r from Summitracing for cheaper and direct fit

Nopstnz8

iTrader: (6)

Hey guys I just received my Optima Red Top 34R battery. I want to install it now, but am not sure if I should wait till tomorrow or not. I am getting my 30k service done at Rick's Rotary Performance and one of the things they do is inspect the idle. I want them to see if they can fix mine because since I installed my Mazdaspeed CAI, everytime I turn on the car when it is cold, the RPMs jump to 2k while idling. Once I put it in reverse, the revs drop to normal. Is this normal? I don't want to end up installing the battery and making it so they can't diagnose the problem since the idle is off because of the MAF sensor recalibrating. If anyone could give me some info, that would be great. Thanks.

simplec

Okay, thanks to this thread I went out and got the correct battery after seeing the pictures. I went with the red top for a few reasons, cheaper than the yellow top, 3 year warranty vs 1 year on the yellow top. Optima site suggests yellow top if you have a large sound system, but unless you play it for a long period of time with the engine off I don't think you'll notice. The correct red top battery is the 35. Not a 35R. There is no such thing. The 35 has the terminals switched already as what's needed in the RX-8. My battery top says 35 not 35R and if you go to the Optima site and look for part # 35R you'll get no results. Then type in 35 and up pops the battery you need. I did type in 34R just to double check as I read that someone said you could use it previously in this thread and it popped up on the site. Also, it was correct about the computer being messed up for a few starts. After the battery was installed the car died twice. Make sure you start your car and turn it off a few times and drive around the parking lot for a minute before heading on to a main road. Make sure you get the height adapter as well. You can toss the little netting that comes with the original battery to hold it in place if you want. I didn't use it when the battery got switched and the Optima is in there securely. Hope this post helps someone else. - If I'm wrong somehow on there being a 35R let me know- but I cannot find one!

Update.... I found a 35R - on about at least a dozen sites - all United Kingdom. Buy just the red top 35 and you'll get the right one.

User24

iTrader: (1)

I looked up the Optima red top 8020-164, and bought it through Amazon. The stock Panasonic battery was 3 years old and gave me no problems so far. I just believe in averting disaster early, or got sucked into Optima advertising for no good reason.

This showed up at the door, a part# SC35A, but model# blank. I don't know what that means, but here are the pictures to prove you can do it! All you need is 10mm socket tools, a flashlight so you can see where the bracket hooks go back into, and electrical gloves.

Don't unscrew those bracket bolts entirely. Better to just loosen them, and push down on them to remove. They are like J coat hangers, inverted.


Part# SC35A




Taller than stock! Install that height block onto the bottom.




Quality Assurance Documentation Photo



Stock battery cover fits back on no problems.

Overall, Optima red heavier than stock, -3 points from acceleration and maneuver.
I also picked up an Optima yellow as well for home audio equipment, and it is crazy heavy.
Not recommended at all. The red is already bad enough for weight.

Razz1

I think we found Michael Jackson's missing Glove.

Or is it OJ's

04RX8man

35R (reverse is good)

EDZRIDE

iTrader: (1)

I think you are confusing Group 34 with Group 35; there is no Group 35R but there is a Group 34R.

flipRx8

hey nycgps...i work at pepboys..and i also just got the 35...but i find out terminals were on the wrong side....what did you do to extend the cable?...i tried looking threw the store but i couldnt find anything...at least i thouht i coudnt find anything 2 help extend the battery

avakiannl

iTrader: (1)

I just order a 35 from Amazon for $135 with free shipping and no tax. Had it in a week and it fits fine. I didn't used the blocks so it sits lower. Only a little trimming of the battery box and shorter "J" hooks required.

Jon316G

iTrader: (1)

Should have only needed the "B" adapter that comes with the battery.
The B with the A attached sits too high.

Vyndictive

iTrader: (28)

Sadly, you can "make" both height adapters fit... using both will cause the battery to sit higher than it needs to and rub against the top of the battery cover.

Use only the B.

avakiannl

iTrader: (1)

I'm not sure why you would use either adapter. IMO, lower is better. It only took about two minutes to snip the battery box where the positive cables enter the box and the hold down clamp interference point. I ended up using one inch spacers instead of getting new J hooks.

It doesn't really matter. I was just trying to point out that Amazon has a good deal on the battery right now.

Jon316G

iTrader: (1)

Ummm... because then you don't need to make any kind of modifications (no matter how small it might be).
Much easier and faster to just attach the adapter to the bottom of the battery.

Nubo

Note the white mark near the bottom right corner on the battery box. That marker shows where to position the battery within the box to ensure proper airflow circulation and heat-removal via the cool-air duct that leads into the box. You should move the battery back so that the leading edge is no further than that white mark.

WTBRotary!

iTrader: (6)

Ok so im so confused... people are saying that there are 35 and 35R's but ive looked and havent found one 35R redtop, i do not want to mod my battery, id like to buy it, pop it in, screw on the connectors and adjust height/ put battery cover on and go. I would really hate to modify my battery because of the wrong side of the terminals...

now heres where im lost, people are saying they have got the 35 Redtop and the terminals were on the correct side while others were saying they were on the opposing side... how can that be if theres only one model #, 35... any one have any ideas and the correct Optima Redtop battery # with the terminals being on the correct side?

WTBRotary!

iTrader: (6)

hmm... still doesnt fix the confusing problem.. any ideas? lol, i mean the only thing i can come up with is Optima puts a specific part # on the RX-8 batteries as the # would be different than for instance a Toyota Prius, and id assume Optima already knows about the wrong terminals so the appropriate 8 battery # would have the opposing terminals fixed?!?!?

Hope i didnt word that too confusing lol, my brain thinks weird...

Jon316G

iTrader: (1)

Here is my Optima Red Top that I bought from Summit Racing.
No additional mods required.
Only had to install the "B" height adapter that came with the battery.

WTBRotary!

iTrader: (6)

Thanks Jon, thats 1-0 for 35 fitting with no mods needed... anyone else?

Nopstnz8

iTrader: (6)

I got the 34R Red Top since it had the most cranking amps of all of them. It fits in perfectly and the battery cover fits over it with no problems. Order from 1st Optima Battery.com since they have the lowest prices and fast shipping.

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

Yep, Group 35. No problemo. Don't know where all this "35R" discussion came from.

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

WTBRotary!

iTrader: (6)

ok so what's the difference between 34, 34R and 35 group batteries? if 35 is the size of the battery how would a size 34 fit if the 8 requires a size 35?

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

Battery type also references where the power terminals are. Different types could reverse the positive and negative terminals. If this were the case, the cables wouldn't be long enough to fit. I'm using a group 26 battery in my car.