Battery Brands?

My OEM Porsche battery is dead and dealership recommended that I install an Interstate Battery as opposed to the Porsche battery. Which do you all recommend? Isn't there a reason the Porsche battery has no liquid in it? I am most likely going to be selling the vehicle since I never have time to drive it. I would be inclined to think that the car will show better with the Porsche battery but am not sure. Thanks

The interstate battery is fine for your car. You can also get the right size at Samsclub for $48. The technology of all these batteries are the same, so go for price.

Get a Optima Red Top. The Dry Cell batteries last much longer, no water to spill and rust stuff. Also the cranking amps is better. I run them in ALL my cars and never think about it again. Hit me up if you have questions. Dan

thanks guys.

The interstate is more than adequate. I replaced the one in my 986 with one. Just don't forget to connect the breathe tube! The interstate dealer should provide it for free, but you need to ask for it.

I have the oem porsche battery, how come mine has holes for water refills?

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=2950

Island Boy, what did you mean when you said oem porsche batteries has no liquid in it? Does your battery look like this?

Optima red top your leaking worries are gone.

Optima Red Top is what I use as well. A little mod is needed to fit but you don't have to worry about acid or vapor leaking. This is important because the intake for the cabin filter is located next to the battery compartment. You can get an aftermarket battery and use the breater hose, but with the optima battery, a breater hose is unnecessary because it is completely sealed and does not vent. It is a bit more than other batteries but I highly recommend. Its amazing how the Porsche battery goes bad exactly 4-5 years after being placed in service. I just replaced mine last summer. Bobby

Optima red top your leaking worries are gone. What leaking worries. In all my life, I have never had a battery leak on me. Even in my 4 wheelers off roading or speed boats. The only way the battery would leak is if was damaged in some way or the caps were not on tight. I think going with the Red Top is a little over kill,,,don't you??

4-5years? your lucky.. I have an 03, less then 2 years and cranking it up wven when its warm doesn't sound strong at all.. I think a new battery is in order come spring..

OK guys. I'm in the battery industry and have a plethora of info and can educate many on different types of batteries. To make this as simple as possible: 1. All (most) automobile batteries are of lead-acid type chemistry. 2. Lead-acid chemistry can be manufactured several ways: either flooded (need to add water from time to time), or valve regulated (sealed) where you never have to add water, or low maintenance (or calcium/calcium type grid construction) that is low maintinance where you don't need to add water...these are the types of batteries that come from the "factory". Porsche does not make these as they are probably supplied by a manufacturer in Western Europe, and private labled as Porsche brand. Optima is simply a spiral wound absorbed glass mat battery that is categorized as a VRLA (valve regulated lead-acid battery). There is no magic with this type of chemistry as it is offered by many manufacturers globally. Optima has just found an interestig way to market the technology in a cylidrical fashion. It is not by the way a "dry cell battery" Dry cell batteris do not exist, however, "dry charged batteries" do, but this is a segment in the manufacturing process that is used for different types of applications that require longer shelf life and/or packaging requirements. Batteries only leak acid if they are filled with acid, and have been damaged to cause the leak, or have been over charged and abused. VRLA batteries (AGM or GEL) do not leak (Optima falls in this category) because the electrolyte in them in imobilized and not liquid. Best bet is to replace your battery with an OEM type recommended by Porsche and the same size. Batteries used in our cars are really only for starting the engine, and not needed for any heavy accessory power. These batteries will only last on average about 3-5 years depending on usage, operating temperatures (climates), etc. This discussion can get a lot more technical, more than will do us any more good, so enjoy the cranking power of your current battery, and if it gets soft, replace it with the same, and motor off in to good times.... Cheers, Brad (a battery guru that loves his 2002 C2 P-car) H&R springs GHL LOUD exhaust K&N Orange Plug

Like I said above.....go and get yourself a $50 battery at a discount store.

Bford100 You may be a battery expert but the stock Porsche battery leaks because the overflow tube does not do the job. Even if you fill just to the bottom ring it leaks acid in compartment and corrodes at the bottom of the battery. I have had the Optima for over a year and no sign of acid or corrosion. YMMV

Bford100 You may be a battery expert but the stock Porsche battery leaks because the overflow tube does not do the job. Even if you fill just to the bottom ring it leaks acid in compartment and corrodes at the bottom of the battery. I have had the Optima for over a year and no sign of acid or corrosion. YMMV The Porsche battery (or any battery for that matter) does not leak by design. If yours is leaking you either have a damaged battery or your charging system is out of wack.

If you plan on any "heavy duty" national concours, buy A Porsche battery. And by all means use a battery maintainer if the car sits for prolonged periods.

If you plan on any "heavy duty" national concours, buy A Porsche battery. And by all means use a battery maintainer if the car sits for prolonged periods. Why would you recommend buying a Porsche battery? Do you also recommend buying Porrche parts when the exact parts are available from other venders for half the price. There is NOTHING special about the PORSCHE battery except that it has their logo on it. All the dealers even sell the Interstate battery because it's almost half the cost. That's almost as ridiculas as getting a $200 oil change at the dealer as some members of this forum have done. Makes little sense to me.

do batteries ever need replacing? shouldn't they last the life of the car???

P-car batteries suck. Can't put it much simpler. They don't seem to have any cranking power at all and go bad out of nowhere. I like the sealed battery because of the vapor issue and the added benefit that it won't leak. I know Optima costs more but after having my battery go dead, with the doors and hood locked and having to flatbed it to the dealership who then had to figure out how to unlock the hood with a dead battery I don't really care. I use Optimas in my other cars and they have been working for over 6 years in Chicago winters and summers. I'll stick with them (they are only $40 buck more) and not worry about them for years. Next P-car I get, the first thing Im gonna change out is the battery just to be safe. Bobby

As long as you can't make the corner of the car bounce, the battery isn't worn out. MX-5 Miatas (through '97 at least) use a battery similar to the Optima, made by Panasonic. The battery in my '96 Miata is original (9 years old!), still cranks like new. If ya' spend any time on the Miata forums, you'll read of people getting 12-14 years out of an OEM (Panasonic) battery. Which, of course, is unheard of in your standard lead acid battery.

So Randall, are you saying the way to test if a battery is worn out, is to bounce on the corner of the car....and if the car doesn't bounce....the battery isn't worn out? If the car did bounce....would that mean the shocks were worn out?....cause I was under the impression from a previous post this evening that shocks last the life of a car?....

Well, yes you're right. However, if the shocks are worn out, the corner will bounce, and you need a new battery. In other words, the battery will last just as long as your shocks. Which, as you suggest, is the life of the car.

Randall, I have a 1998, so I could never suggest anything lasts forever. Maybe in 1999 that was all changed?

No, I think Porsche has always used lifetime shocks in their cars. I read it earlier on Rennlist, so surely it's true.

hmm.....I'm pissed!....I will never do busniness with Porsche again!!...I think this may be a case of dishonest and unethical busniess practice. I thought I ordered those shocks, as a matter of fact I am sure I ordered them, and I guess never recieved them!!

What size did you order, Phil? Large, or medium?

Where's the cheapest place to get the otptima red top?

I left the original shocks on my 993 for a long time and the original battery. Guess what it got me? A car that rode like crap and a bunch of corrosion in my bonnet. Got new shocks and an optima battery and all was well. Red Top Optima is around $110. do a google search.

Who ever said concours competition made sense?

I got mine at Pepboys. I don't remember how much but I am pretty sure it was less than $100 bucks. If your really **** believe performance products has some kind of bracket to attach the Optima but do a google search. There are several sites that show how to install an optima into the 996/Boxster. BObby

If you want to install an Optima battery, don't waste your money on the so-called installation bracket. Just follow my instructions on Rennlist (see link below). you can buy the battery at any Interstate battery dealer, which is practically every auto repair station in the country. I paid $119 for the group 34R. http://tech.rennlist.com/boxster/Por...tall_Oggie.pdf

for those of us who are mechanically challenged. Does anyone sell a "plug and play" Optima adapter kit for a 996? John

Didn't you read my post above?????? Performance Products carries one. Here's the link. I used instructions similar to Oggieto install mine with no problems. Was pretty fun. http://www.performanceproducts.com/P...oductid=101899 Bobby

MNJohn, if you're looking for a plug-and-play solution, you may want to contact http://www.dietersmotorsports.com to see if they'll make up an aluminum plate for you all pre-drilled. You can see their instructions on how to install an Optima battery using an aluminum plate on their web site. Note, however, that they use a "regular" Optima group 34, which requires (at least according to them) a longer positive cable, whereas my way uses a reversed pole group 34 battery (34R) and your original cables. You may want to ask them to drill several sets of holes so you can bolt the 34R battery so that both original cables reach the terminals. Let us know what you find.