Optima Batery Install

Well, I've run into a strange problem. In prep for an upcoming track day, I decided to swap batteries from whatever was in there (PO bought it, standard lead-acid) to an Optima red top I had in my race car.

So, I can't get the Optima to mount properly. It's a 34R so should be the correct fitment, but the issue is that the lip on the battery tray that holds the side of the battery opposite the clamp is too low to grab the lip of the Optima. I have the adapters that clip into the side of the Optima but they are even higher. Am I missing some adapter that came with the battery or maybe is my late '94 car different than later cars? Maybe people just don't worry with an Optima as it can't spill anyway? I can get the clamp on but it only holds one side down and I don't want the battery banging around in the fender at VIR...

 

I had the same issue last month when my battery died from some nonsense I got into. Anyways turns out the lip that bites the battery was backwards simulating what you are describing. I took it off turn it around and tada. Previous owner never had it installed properly.

 

Maybe I'm missing a piece, the clamp works fine but the other side of the battery facing the front of the car will not fit under the lip that is presumably there to hold the battery. The old battery fits securely.

 

Was the lip on the front of the battery tray modified (squeezed downward) at some time?
Is the lip on the optima the same size front and back? If not spin it around. this is what I did with my optima years ago and then I modified the clamp on the side facing me. I also had to use a small block of wood to stop the battery from sliding around side to side. All in all there is no advantage to using an optima. Mine lasted the very same amount of time as any other battery half the price. I am now using an interstate which is probably the best battery Ive ever had in there.

 

The battery tray looks unmodified. The battery is the same on both sides. I'm using the Optima because I have it and it's sealed, the battery I took out is not a sealed battery and I don't want it leaking and rusting my tray out.

I've posted some crude drawings of the issue, the first is how the old battery is held in, 2nd is with the Optima. What I'm thinking I may do is bend the piece of metal that points up on the front side of the tray to hold the Optima in.
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Nice diagram. If I remember correctly, optima doesn't really make a proper fit for the Ferrari 355. the optima I had, had different size lips on the front and back. I wouldn't bent the front of the tray but maybe try and cut the lip of the battery on the front side down to size. I doubt that would compromise the batter. Use a small grinder with a cutting blade. I know this sounds crude but it may just work. You may have to clamp on some sort of guide for line and then you would have to judge the depth. Bending the tray will only make it that much harder to fit the proper batter in there some day plus the tray would start rusting.

 

Have an Optima in my 355 spider. Fit was not an issue as I recall when I installed.

 

I have also had to modify this battery on different cars in the past. No big deal to trim a little off.

 

You are missing a piece that should have come with the Optima battery. They place the mounting parts under the cover on the top of a new Optima.

I just had an Optima die @ 6 months on my 1998 355 F1 GTS. It must have a bad cell as it is reading 0.00 volts. Time to get the jack out again.

This is my third Optima I have had in my car. The first two lasted six years.

When Optima moved manufacture to China quality control went to *****.

 

They only fit properly in MA when it's 5 degrees outside and 6" of snow on the ground...lol

 

Funny Bruce! Sad but true! Funny!

 

If you do find a way to install the Optima red top, the next task would be to remove it!

 

I have the two adapters that clip into the sides, the problem is they actually raise the height of the lip (and extend it out), not lower it. I can't trim the lip as if I do, it will be gone as the lip is only a couple mm thick. Here are some slightly more accurate drawings of what I'm dealing with.

I looked up the Optima adapters that come with the battery and the only other one is a tray on the bottom to adapt the 34 to a different size fitment, which I don't think will help in my case as it raises the whole battery up. I'm going to head to the parts store and see if newer Optimas are any different or if they have a different sealed battery that will fit and has the lip at the base of the battery instead of one cm up. I can't believe I'm the only that has had this problem, maybe the battery tray is a little different on my car for some reason. I searched and saw some 348 battery trays and the side facing the front of the car is completely different than mine, instead of having a rounded lip that goes the whole length of the tray, it's just a vertical lip with a larger tab meant to grab the battery in the middle. The clamp side appears to be the same. I may have to add a clamp or modify my battery tray slightly to get it to work as some pictures I've seen of the Sears AGM battery have a similar raised lip.

I hate when what should have been a 20 minute job turns into a multi day affair. Lets hope the other track prep goes more smoothly or I won't make it.
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Mine slid right in. Sorry you ended up with a project.

 

Just bumping this up as I received my Optima battery today and don't want to stay with a wheel off for a while when this should be plug-play.
Here is a side profile of the battery, have you guys been able to use the battery as-is or have had to make modifications?
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I just have to say good luck with the optima red top, I’ll never buy one again. I outfitted 4 cars with them at the same time and replaced 2 within a year with red tops again. All 6 failed in less than 2 years, they are absolutely garbage batteries. Especially in cars that are notorious for having continuous draw on the battery. If you let them drop their charge to much they will never take a charge again. The last one was in my 348 and I tried to recharge it with a slow trickle charge. It just bubbled acid gel out the top. Ridiculous waist of money ever since they changed their manufacturing to Mexico.

 

That's reassuring lol
I guess I'll have to find out myself regarding the reliability at this point.
Did it bolt right up, though?
Also, when you wouldn't drive the car, would you turn the kill switch knob to cut power from the battery? If I don't drive for a few days I cut the juice. I also have no stereo or alarm on the car so hopefully that reduces draw.

 

Yep, the Red Top is a leaky piece of crap. I've switched to Interstate's AGM battery now.
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Well, the battery was bought so I guess I'll have to find out the hard way.
For the sake of the thread, I'd like to report that it was easy to install without any extra clips needed or unforeseen issues.
I'll also report back if it takes a dump on me. For the record, I have no alarm, no stereo and I turn the kill switch when I don't use the car for more than a few days.

 

I only buy Costco interstate batteries now but still have 2 Optima from 2011 perfectly in service. Newer optimas all failed so stopped using them.

 

My battery kicked the bucket. They had a AGM insterstate H6, which is a group 48 i believe. lasted 10 years.
The slot with take any standard 6 7/8" wide battery with posts.
I debated a light weight lithium, but decided on a Deka AGM 9a47. Its 39lbs. 3lbs lighter than a 34r, and 12lbs lighter than the H6 i took out.
$129 shipped