550 battery question

Not sure what the 550 requires, but in my 456GT I have an Interstate MT-34R installed. I got it at Goodyear and this was the one that was in the car when I bought it back in 2000. About $75 and more important it fit in the space AND worked with the hold down bracket that came with the car,

MB

 

Good information...that is the same size used in the 308/328 as well. Size 34 is pretty common, and the "R" denotes that the terminals are reversed. You can flip a standard 34 around, but often times the cables won't reach (because the terminals are also set toward the front of the battery case, so if you flip the battery 180 degrees, the terminals are now oriented toward the back). Flipping a standard battery can also cause conflict with the terminals not clearing the top of the space for the battery.

Optima may still make the 34R size.
Here is a link with some information:
http://www.1st-optima-batteries.com/red_top_battery.asp

And the dimensions:
http://www.1st-optima-batteries.com/schema_34R.asp

Good reports have been made for both the Interstate and Optima products. The Optima is a little more expensive, but has a claimed longer life, and being completely sealed, and having an electrolyte "paste" rather than liquid, means less likely to spill or have corrosion issues. The Optima also has a lower "self discharge" rate so good for cars that may sit for many weeks without a charger or battery tender hooked up.

 

Dave, mine recently went also and I replaced it with an Optima Red Top - 34. I could not easily find the 34R anywhere - Pep Boy, Auto Zone, etc, none had the R.

Since I didn't get the "R", I had to flip it 180 degrees. The cables still reached fine - as the terminals are slightly centered toward the middle of the battery (not closer together - closer to centerline lengthwise. However, it will be harder to get jumper cables on if need be.

I will post a picture this Sunday - on the road till then.

The Red Tops are available at my local Costco for a nice savings - of course I found that out after I paid sucker price at Auto Zone.

 

Costcos I have been to (Washington State and British Columbia, Canada) only carry the smallish 75/35 red top, which should fit, but has only 720 CCA, instead of the 800 CCA of the Optima 34/34R. This means the Optima 34/78 should fit too, which is easier to find, and also rated at 800 CCA.

Confirmation of the size and that rotating 180 degrees works is great....cause Costco also carries in their private label "kirkland signature" line (made by Exide, btw, same as the Sears Die Hard batteries), a 78/34 "universal" battery that is rated at 900 CCA's! and only $59 to boot. This has a 3 year free replacement warranty, but being of the standard type construction, would require periodic maintanence in the way of adding distilled water once or twice per year.

 

I ordered my 34R and it took about 3 days to get it. I'd wait 3 days before I'd flip the battery 180 degrees,

IMO,

MB