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Installed an Optima RedTop Group 35 AGM battery today (in defiance of Scotty Kilmer). The battery comes with a plastic snap on stand you need to install so that it reaches the correct height for the hold down and cables. Overall, the experience was surprisingly easy, even with the PITA disassembly of the cowl near the window. I used a low cost Amazon OBD2 9V powered device (
) to maintain all the settings while the battery was disconnected. I was also surprised to find rusted bolts on the drivers side of the battery tray, so I wire brushed the bolts and sprayed them with some black primer. The battery hold down from Zspec Design install was straight forward as well. I posted a pic below of a piece that was leftover. I have no idea where this came from? Perhaps part of the cowl that I pulled off?
Last edited by socketz67; Aug 18, 2024 at 12:34 AM.
I also got a new battery last week NAPA Platinum AGM battery with a 36-month replacement warranty with all of my coupons it ran me 225 bucks. A lot of power compared to my 8-year-old stock dying one.
I also got a new battery last week NAPA Platinum AGM battery with a 36-month replacement warranty with all of my coupons it ran me 225 bucks. A lot of power compared to my 8-year-old stock dying one.
I went through 3 OEM batteries in 11 years, so I thought that I would try something new. Similar to Michelin tires, Optima seems to be the battery everyone compares their battery against, so I was intrigued and did some of my own research. The batteries are now made in Mexico, so online reviewers like to trash that aspect, but I work in an industry where manufacturing changes location every few years and I'm not afraid of Mexico.
In the past, I went to the Infiniti dealership when the battery was about to die and because their batteries have 84 month warranties, they would replace it under warranty (key is "once it fails under test, and that only happens when the battery is close to finished) and apply a proration to the new battery. As such, the last 3 batteries cost me less than $50 each. The Infiniti dealers are pretty much gone in my area as most have been absorbed by Nissan, which is a very different dealer experienced. As such, decided to branch out and try aftermarket.
What's interesting is that the dealer upgraded me to a Group 24 battery this last time (999M1-QC24F), and that sucker was 41lbs. The new Optima group 35 battery is slightly more CCA (720 vs 700), yet only 31.7lbs. The weight difference is noticeable during the install.
Still wondering about that leftover round rubber piece in the photo as it may have been some form of packaging since it looks brand new, and not dirty like some of the 11 year old seals around the cowl would look.
Last edited by socketz67; Aug 18, 2024 at 09:24 AM.
That rubber hose is the venting tube for the battery two venting holes on the top of each corner and when the battery is installed under the hood you don't need them as it is open to the atmosphere. You need them if you are about to install the battery in air-tight places like a trunk to vent battery fumes out by using t T-shaped coupler. Here are my battery specs if anyone is interested. https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/BAT9834R By the way Nissan's original battery made in Japan lasted for almost 8 years. Impressive!
Awesome! Are you running a Tanabe / Revel axle back?
Yes! From front to back:
- Z1 motorsports h-pipe
- Nismo/IPL midpipe (larger diameter piping than stock, smaller resonators)
- Custom extension with v-band connector
- Tanabe axle back