On a related topic, what does everyone think of the Optima batteries?  I have a dead battery and need to replace it.  I was thinking about the Optima, but don't know what size to get.  Can anyone offer some help?

Larry, Last week I replaced my Red Top Optima battery with another one. Got it at NAPA.

Do you happen to know the part number?  The Red Top Optima is the one I've been looking at, but I want to make sure the one I buys fits.

optima batteries for vettes are going to be either the group 75 side post, or the group 78 side post.  they do make a dual post(top and side post) which will be 75/25 group, or the 34/78 group size...  The 34/78 is approx 10 3/4 inches long whereas the 25/75 will be about 9 inches in legnth.  Personally i'd opted for the 34/78 but it is the higher cca battery.  Persoanally personally, i'd save my money and get a standard 34/78 battery, as we here at where i work don't really see any better performance out of the optima series batteries unless(and i do stress UNLESS) you are using a battery in an extreme condition, such as heavy vibration or such and they are less prone to 'gassing' which in our case of having C3's and the battery is behind the seat, that could be advantagous :) .  Think the main reason we do see optima's last a little longer is that becuase they do cost a bit more, they're owners tend to take a little more care of them.. :) 

Thanks for the info.  The battery that was in there was cheap and died before it's time.  I do use a Battery Tender, but I connect it via the cigarette lighter now.  I tried to connect it directly to the battery, but the existing battery is not a dual post and putting the clips under the terminal screws may have been what killed it early.  The cigarette lighter route should allow better connection for the battery's real purpose -- starting the car. 

Got a diehard gold that is 4 years old and not a single complaint!

The P/N on the receipt is N9975/25 RED as Jim says 75/25 group. JPD1stVette2010-06-19 18:34:29

Group 75/25 is the direct fit, if you have a high powered stereo or/and other high power usage accessories the yellow top D75/25 is a better choice.
The biggest advantages to the Optima battery is the construction. Besides being very rugged it does not have gases that vent from the battery. This feature alone is worth the extra money. Without gases being emitted there is no risk of explosion and there is no corrosion to the battery mount area or in the cables. The cranking amps are not rated at 32 degrees like other batteries but at zero degrees. The only maintenance necessary on these batteries is to clean the dust off of them.

In the 20 + years I have used them in my own vehicles and installed them in customers cars I only had one that was defective and it was replaced at no charge. Sams Club and Costco both have a very good price on them. I buy mine at my local NAPA, but I get a really good discount from them.

The red top is right for general automotive use and should give you 6-8 years of service easily. The maintainer I would recommend is the Battery Tender Plus. It comes with 2 sets of leads. One set can be permanently attached to your battery so it is just plugs in easily when it is needed. It also has the normal clip leads for use on other applications.
My last 2 red tops went 7 and 8 years. The blue top on my car trailer that runs the winch that was thoroughly abused by running it dead before charging on many occasions and lasted 9 years and 7 months.
The 82 currently has an Optima knock off called the Orbital previously sold by NAPA. Has the same characteristics but never seem to last as long as a red top. I used 2 and had to have both warranted so until it dies again it will be used.

Product specs for the 75/25 red top..http://www.optimabatteries.com/_media/documents/specs/75_25_082304.pdf

Another option for keeping the battery charged is you can hook the charger up to the big red wire at the Alt and ground at the adjusting bracket, my charger has a 2 amp setting. you do not need to hook up at the battery.

I keep that "Battery Tender" on mine, when not in use.