OK, I noticed that my original battery is getting a bit tired. A load test still proves successful but it just does not seem to hold up anymore while detailing the car with the engine off. Charging system checked out good so I figured that this was a perfect time to replace the battery with a proven winner-Optima. A quick check on their website reviews that they do not make a compatible Yellow Top battery, but a 34R (R for Reverse post) Red Top exist which has considerably more CCA than their Yellow Top batteries to begin anyhow. I finally found one in stock at Sears and paid $140.00 or so out the door. Guy did not even charge me a core. Must be my pleasant disposition.

Specs on the battery:
34R
Reverse Post
800-Cold cranking amps
1000-Cranking amps
Size Category: Medium
10 x 6.8 x 7.8
(Incl. Posts/Terminals)
"Reverse"
Top Posts
Reserve capacity-110

Battery is not what one would call an exact fit, however it does fit well once the battery cables are slightly bent out to accommodate the posts that sit a bit further in vs. OEM. See pic. The original battery box will no longer work but no problem as I would rather see the nice gel battery when the hood is up.

The new battery also weighs in at a stout 39 lbs vs the stock 35lbs so there is a slight weight penalty to pay for the added juice. A few less rib eyes will offset that.

Lee

 

looks cool, i had my tv on in the car, with a feature c\alled freeview, its like sat tv, killed the battery after 3 hours, forgot i had it on, whilst i was changing the boot lining of the car as i dropped oil on the old one, can you belive it cost £1000 plus V.A.T. for the trunk fabric lining

 

matches the intake , I got a yellow top in mine and I kept the stock plastic housing. I just made small wood blocks to prop up the batter a little so I could use the tie down

 

btw I saw you said the website doesnt show a compatible fit. I used a 35 group, if you want me to take pictures I can. Its quite smaller than the stock one but really freakin heavy

 

The battery top matches the intake color. Very nice!! Thanks for sharing.

 

Wow $140. I think thats a bit steep. If you go to shops that work on installing sound systems for cars they usually sell for about $20 cheaper. The battery looks and performs good though. Im planning on getting one soon before I start hooking up an SAFC2, turbo timer and a bunch of other power sucking electronic devices.

 

Price includes tax and I admit I am not much for a price shopper. I just buy where I am comfortable at spending my money. Sears which will be there in 3 years for warranty purposes or the small guy down the street . Granted the warranty is supposed to be at any qualified retailer but the piece of mind is something I am willing to spend more money on and trust me if you bought the battery there ,they will be a heck of alot more inclined to assist in case there is trouble down the line.
Been in the auto industry for years and sold hundreds of batteries.

Tony, the 35 is a standard post battery which is my I went with the 34R so that I did not have to reroute or play with the cables like disconnect the harnesses from the attachment points. Curious how far you stretched the cables to make them fit the other direction. I have another Optima in the Tundra (35 I believe) that I had intended to put in the SC but again because the vehicle comes with reversed posts to begin with I wanted to stay the same and I could not fit the cable ends on the battery without removing the attachment points and stretching the battery cable. The 34R is the closest Optima has for these cars and also has the most CCA. Would be interested in what you went through to make a 35 fit. But yes your right , the battery box would fit a 35 battery fine.
Lee

 

I didnt rerout anything it looks exactly like yours, except I kept the stock plastic housing. THe terminal are stretched out to about the max which yours looks like also If I dont take the car into the dealer today I'll snap some pictures

 

Lee, a quick question off topic. In your photo of your battery, I noticed your intake sits closer to the front of the car than mine. Did you use any Air Bypass Valve on your intake to prevent hydrolock?

 

this might be stupid but if water is that high up on your car I dont think the bypass valve is going to help much. It shouldnt get wet sitting behind the light like that for normal rainy day driving

 

hey lee cant get you pictures for a little while I took the car in for service, however I did get a new GS300 loaner