Optima Battery

[Newport Viper]

What is the right part number for Optima, for a 1995 Viper? Anyone have a fit problem?
Thanks

 

[Ulysses]

I don't have a part number for you but there should be a group number on the side of the battery. Group numbers are standardized and should match up. Historically. Some fit some don't depending on the car. You'll have to measure the height of the battery space in your car. It'll be a tight fit.

 

[JonB]

Jerry Scott in CO-VCA is the reigning authority....I hope he chimes in.

Short answer-- No Optima will fit correctly the Viper (after 4/93,) without the negative terminal contacting, or grazing the frame. Unless you modify the battery tray. But the battery tray has a battery temp sensor (!) and can read incorrectly if you modify the tray, apparently adversely affecting the charge rate. Or not.

Just DONT hacksaw any battery terminals to achieve a fit !

The GROUP ratings are standardized as to a range of amps and case sizes.....but case sizes across manufacturers seem to be + /- about 1/4 inch....... a 1/4 you dont have to spare.

I know some folks have made it work, and will chime in:

 

[Newport Viper]

The Optima I grabbed off the shelf, is 34-78 #9083547 It has
980CA 800CC.
Too big???????????
$119.00 Pep Boys

 

[Ulysses]

The 34-78-1050 should fit a Viper. Will it fit your Viper? You'll have to measure the space you have.

 

[Jerry Scott[CO]]

I cannot comment on the roadster, but here's the scoop on the GTS. I worked with Optima on the first battery to go into the Viper. The best model is the 75-35-925. This battery has the side terminals and the top posts, in an attempt to fit more car models. The problem is, this battery fits some GTS cars, but not all of them. The top posts are the problem and are sometimes in the way of the frame rail on the rear post. It depends on how the battery trey was welded to the frame. Apparently the factory did not use a fixture for this weldment, and the vertical height of the trey varies from car to car. The only way to find out is to try one in your car. The post that can hit the frame is the negative terminal, so there is no danger of shorting, but it will prevent the battery from sliding into the trey. On my 97 there was plenty of room, but other owners have said that it interfered by 1/8 in. The positive terminal clears with plenty of room. This battery works extremely well if it fits in the car, since it will not throw battery acid as does the stock unit, when running with track tires on a race track. Some owners have sawed off the top posts to make it fit. When you do this, you destroy the electrical continuity from this post that has a lead runner to the side connectors. There is a thimble of lead on these posts that makes welded contact at the top. After cutting them off, owners have filled the hollow post with hot solder, and found the battery to work very well with this modification. The Optima factory does not recommend this, since their concern is that if you do not get a good bond during the soldering, you will have a high resistance connection, thus generating heat that could cause a fire at the connection. My advice is not to cut the posts if the battery does not fit your car. The best price source that I have found for the battery is Reco Battery here in Denver. They sell them for $99.95 plus shipping and no tax if you are out of state. Their number is: 303-893-9324. If you want a picture of the installation, let me know and I will e-mail it to you.

I have been hounding Optima to come out with a group 78 battery that does not have the top posts. They say that they are working on it but there still is no plan in the near future to make it available.

 

[jimandela]

this is the reply I received from optima:
Hello.
Our redtop model 34/78-1050 should fit okay.....that battery box in the Viper is hindersome so measure it out to be sure vs ours.....10"l x 67/8" w
x 7 13/16" h......

also part # info to include Interstate

Their number is agm800DT, our number is 9004-003 aka 800u aka 34/78-1050....all the same......

Thank you for your support of Optima Batteries.
David Willman alias *****
Customer Relations Coordinator
Government and Military Sales Coordinator
303 340-7486 direct phone
800 292-4359 x 486 toll free
303 344-9905 fax
303 995-0097 cell phone

 

[Motor City Mad Man]

I installed an Optima Red Top battery this Summer. It was a very tight fit. I had to remove the protective cap from the negative terminal and still had a heck of a time. I pounded it in with my fist and everything is fine. As was stated before, my bare negative terminal touches the frame but who cares as the negative battery cable is grounded to the frame anyways right. The old battery did leak and this Optima will certainly solve that problem.

 

[Ulysses]

Leave it in there long enough and it might weld itself to the frame. Get in there every now an then and move it around.

 

[Motor City Mad Man]

Thanks for the advice Ulysses, just my luck that probably would happen.

 

[jimandela]

motor city,
did you consider bending the tray just a bit?
that is what i have been told to do when it it time for
my upgrade.

JIM

 

[Newport Viper]

Optima 34/78 DID NOT FIT.....

 

[Backdoc7]

Newport Dave....
What up????
Ok.. i just installed an Interstate MT-65.. fit like a glove!.. (not the O.J. glove either)... Interstate makes a good battery and I've had leakage prob's with other Optima's I've installed in the past on other vehicles.. Anyway.. Good luck.
Bill

 

[Motor City Mad Man]

Jim, yes I did try to bend the tray but it did not seem to be bending. So I just jammed it in there and it fit. Very tight squeeze though.