Choosing a Battery

[WallaceMFG]

I'm getting close to needing to buy a battery for my Chevelle, and I wanted to see what batteries people recommend. I put an optima in my Torino several years ago and haven't had an issue with it, but I've heard that optima's quality has dropped lately. I've been looking at Odyssey and Braille batteries. The Lithium Ion Brailles are out of my price range, so I was looking at their AGM batteries.

The main thing I've been looking at is the PCA, but how much is enough? I know that the higher the better, but I don't wanna overspend. I'm running a mild 350 with about 9:1 compression for now, so does anyone know what would be a good battery choice? If it makes a difference the battery will be in the trunk.

[vintageracer]

$40.00 used battery from the Zone or Advance Auto. Just bought a used blue optima for $40.00. Most times I get a regular 800+ CCA battery.

The used batteries work great and were usually returned by owner due to bad alternator or electrical issue not related to the battery. I have only had an issue with 1 battery and I have bought a lot of em over the years. Use them all the time. Always lasted 3-5 years.

Batteries have become to damn expensive!

[Nothingface5384]

I like Odyssey...some said Diehard Platinum are same spec battery, but dont quote me on that.
Thats my replacement for optima batteries

great auxiliary battery would be XS Power

[juggernaut]

Braille AGM batteries are rebranded East Penn (Deka Intimidator) batteries. I was able to find the Deka much cheaper than Braille.

http://www.dekabatteries.com/assets/base/1737.pdf

I currently have a 9A78DT truck mounted with 1/0 Diesel Locomotive (DLO) battery cable. 1/0 maybe overkill but, I don't have weak starting anymore.

[gray86hach]

I have been told the energizer battery from Sams club is a deka also.

Tim

[Typhoon1015]

I am running a Deka Powersport battery from Napa. It is a AGM battery and got it around 100 bucks. It is identical to a braille for half the cost and weighs in at 21 lbs.

[nats68]

I like the Odyssey batteries. A friend owns a battery company and sells both optima and Odyssey. He highly recommends the Odyssey over the optima. He's had a lot of Optimas returned for one reason or another and very few, if any Odysseys returned.

[Later-A-body]

Yes, the Die Hard Platinum is a rebranded Odyssey. I purchased one From Sears for my Pontiac. The price of the DH was less than the identical Odyssey. Works very well. I also like the fact that you can take it to any Sears store for warranty if needed.

[SIK02SS]

I own a battery business and work a lot with Odyssey, optima, and Interstate batteries. Optimas are good, but Odyssey and the Interstate AGMs are the best on the market. For your motor size 550-600cca is plenty, especially in your climate. For an AGM, you will probably be finding a battery in the 800cca range. The down side to Optimas now days is the price:warranty. They used to carry a 3 year free replacement warranty and now only have a 2 year. Spend a little more and get the Odyssey or Interstate with longer warranty and higher quality

[hifi875]

Odyssey. I've had the same one in my camaro for 10years w no issues ever except I've never had to jump it. It would sit there and turn my engine over endlessly back when I had the 413 in it and had ignition issues