Well guys I decided to go and take my camaro out for lunch today. I got in it, turned the key, and nothing.....well...just buzzing from the starter area. Long story short, the old Optima red top lost it punch, and now it is time for a new one seeing as how I have had it in the car for about 6 years now. Anyway, I was just curious about this. Normally, I'd go to the store and tell them I need an Optima red top for an 88 camaro, and whatever size battery (CA and CCA wise) they give me is what I'd put in. However, I'd like to know what the strongest red top is that they make, and will it fit in the tray without major surgery? If I'm not mistaken, the battery I have now is something like 720CA? It is really hot down here in FL, and I want to make sure that when the engine is really heated up, and everything gets heat soaked, there will still be enough juice to get me going. Thanks for any info.

Well I'm going to throw this out there. I believe a red top optima is only one size both physically and CCA ability. I think there are at least three different types, the red top of course. The yellow top, which I see a lot of in Jeeps with winches, lots of off road lights, on board welders etc. I have also seen a blue top which I think is for marine applications. I may be off on my thinking from memory. I have a red top in my Jeep and really like it. I don't know how old it is. I have owned it five years and it was in it when I bought it. It cranks the engine over a lot longer than any other batteries I have used in other vehicles.

Yeah, Optima red tops are rated at either 720CCA or 800CCA and 90 & 100 minute reserve capacity, but their physical sizes are pretty close between the different "group sizes", In-fact the only major difference is terminal type and placement.

Here are specs & dimensions of red tops.

Awesome thanks for the info! Looking at that site you posted up it looks like I'd want to use the 34/78 group batery. Just need to make a comparison with the battery currently in the car and see if the dimensions are similar as to whether or not it will fit in the tray. Thanks again!

You also have the Deka 1024DT - 1000cca and I think 70 AH
That one is massive to

I couldnt fit the Optima red top in my tray, it didnt go all the way down, so the mounting wouldnt fit..

Exide Maxxima 900 (and DC) and Deka 1024 works fine also.

i'm running the Deka Intimidator AGM battery 9A78DT (yellow top) and it fit.

what th diffrence between the red top and yellow top batteries.......


and are these dry cell batteries or still wet cell?

red top is starting only, yellow top is starting and deep cycle. its good if you have a lot of electrical accessories, like a big stereo system. both Optima and Deka batteries are AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat). its a wet cell battery. think of it like a fuel cell inside the battery. its a big fiberglass sponge that holds the battery acid. that's why you can mount them upside down. and they don't vent- they have blow off caps that will pop if the pressure inside the battery gets too high.

pretty interesting, i see the red tops going for about 100 in dallas, but i have an in running 700rms watts, and upgrading to 1500 soon, so i think i yeallow top will be best bet for me. btw whats better optima deka or agm? and whats cheaper