Optima Battery

[Seraphitia102]

I am considering to get an Optima battery for my 2001 Mustang GT Convertible. I went to Optima's website, and they don't have a part number that fits specifically for my car. I went to Sear's Auto Center today and their book says that there's no particular battery that fits the car. So my question is that what Optima battery should I use? I mean what size? I've seen people with late model Mustangs fit them. Anyone know what part number I should get? Will it fit under my stock hood? Any added benefits of getting Optima over let's say Motorcraft?

 

[stangGT97]

I am considering to get an Optima battery for my 2001 Mustang GT Convertible. I went to Optima's website, and they don't have a part number that fits specifically for my car. I went to Sear's Auto Center today and their book says that there's no particular battery that fits the car. So my question is that what Optima battery should I use? I mean what size? I've seen people with late model Mustangs fit them. Anyone know what part number I should get? Will it fit under my stock hood? Any added benefits of getting Optima over let's say Motorcraft?

well, i dont have a part number for you... but i went to autozone, and picked out a battery that had similar L/W dimensions to the stock motorcraft battery, that way it will fit in the battery tray. By luck of the draw i picked the right one on the first try

 

[mity2]

they don't make car specific. its sort of one size, u make it fit deal. on that note, my YTO fits almost perfect with very miner modfiying.

Bought mine almost 6 years ago. Been in 3 cars. havent failed me yet(except when i blew fuseable link on MR2). possibly one of my most worthwhile spending of all time

 

[Josh-'96 GT]

Yeah, I bought the off-the-shelf red top Optima from Advanced Auto Parts for my stang. Took a few minutes to modify the battery tray to work, but its all set now. Great battery...wouldn't waste my time with anything else.

 

[Seraphitia102]

I hope I got something to measure my battery

 

[mity2]

ITs almost perfect size for the tray. I think there is some spot that may not be perfect fit. I think biggest issue(if u can call it that)was tie down. Stock one will not fit. I think i had to bend some back strap from my radio, and make it work.

I'll take some pics of my install when i get home later just fo ya

 

[5.0's 4 ever]

I run a yellow top optima in my mustang. The battery part number is SC34DU. Yellow tops are more expensive though but they can take more abuse than a red, which is what I use to run in my car until it died.

 

[DropTopPony]

I run a yellow top optima in my mustang. The battery part number is SC34DU. Yellow tops are more expensive though but they can take more abuse than a red, which is what I use to run in my car until it died.

I currently have the red top but will switch to the yellow if the red ever dies. My local pep boys sells both for $129. The tray needs to be messed with and the mounts are messed up. I just ordered a billit aluminum holder for the optima...$99 http://aerospacecomponents.com/battery_holder.htm

 

[mity2]

that tie down id really nice. but if yu want to save 100bucks, this is what i did with mine

I think tray itself posed no issue. But tie down didn't work. And didn't know about facy tie down, so i made this little redio back strap, and its holding down on edge of YTP. after branket is placed, you won't see any of it, as if battery is just chilling there. But it won't go anywhere

 

[DropTopPony]

I played with the stock plastic tray bracket to make it work. I've had an optima in my mustang for 5 yrs and its secure. I just really liked that optima hold down kit and wanted to waste some money.

I've also seen a billit replacement hold down to replace the stock plastic one much cheaper. Think it was from MMR.

 

[mity2]

oh no doubt. I just not big fan of a shinny tie down in other wise black engine bay. I need to get crop load of billet stuff in engine to make it balanced i guess

 

[YardSpecial]

SEARCH, been covered before............

 

[DropTopPony]

check this holder out from ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Bill...33575QQitemZ8001042226QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V

 

[Marks5.0!]

im running the 34/78 yellow top along with the group 65 adapters and stock hold down. its nice and secure

 

[DropTopPony]

SEARCH, been covered before............

good contribution

 

[Seraphitia102]

So if I get the red top battery, and for example, bring it into Sears battery installation bay, would you think they would make the necessary adjustments to get the battery to fit?

 

[40th GT]

I think SEARS will screw things up in attempt to make it fit, or straight up tell you that it can't be done because they're lazy.

You can't go wrong with the Stangnetters' advices posted above.

 

[Seraphitia102]

So basically, the bottom line is that I cannot install an Optima battery without some additional holding thingie? I'm confused... That sucks if I can't install an Optima battery without purchasing other crap needed to hold it down

Funny thing is that I went to Optima's website and they don't have a specific battery made to fit Mustangs, but yet it shows a yellow Mustang equipped with an Optima battery on their own site

 

[bdcardinal]

i can tell you that the SEARS computer doesnt show a listing for mustangs, thats where i work. if the computer doesnt show a optima listing, we arent allowed to install one. you other option would be to mount the battery in the trunk.

 

[DropTopPony]

So basically, the bottom line is that I cannot install an Optima battery without some additional holding thingie? I'm confused... That sucks if I can't install an Optima battery without purchasing other crap needed to hold it down

Funny thing is that I went to Optima's website and they don't have a specific battery made to fit Mustangs, but yet it shows a yellow Mustang equipped with an Optima battery on their own site

The optima batteries are basically all the same size. It fits in the tray just fine. Its the hold down bracket on the side of the tray(it screws back into the battery tray) that is tough to get on because of the size of the optima. My battery is in place with the stock hold down equipment...it just took some muscle to make it work. I ordered the billit hold down because it looks good and i don't want to fail tech inspection at the track.