The Bosch is a slide in. Fits perfectly. I purchased one from Pep Boys. Easy and quick.

 

An additional consideration - work to get it installed. I've hear the hole for putting the hold-down clamp in the H8 position isn't threaded on 'some' car's battery trays, requiring you to first pull the battery tray out and get it modified so the hold-down-clamp bolt can attache (thread it or more likely tack weld a bolt to the bottom ). So I'd check to make sure the holes are properly threaded before you go out and buy a differently sized (physical) battery than the one your car came with.

 

I put an Optima 34R in mine. The R reverses the terminals so the factory cables reach. Has better specs than the larger batteries, is sealed so you don't need a vent pipe and never have to add water, and has a 3 year full Replacement Guarantee, prorated from 3-5 years after that. I've had Optima batteries in all my vehicles and have never had one fail in under 5 years. Those include 2001 GMC Sierra c3 (on its 2nd Optima after OEM battery case failed in 2004 spilling acid all over the garage floor 1st Optima lasted from 2004-2011). Infiniti QX56, Porsche 914, Malibu Wake Setter (blue marine version), and my 05 C2S. The Optima is also small enough where I can move it all the way over to the driver's side of the tray and it will leave me enough space to install an air compressor for a front-end noselift system I'm doing in March. You get a great deal, go online to Advance Auto, capture the discount code that's perpetually at the top of the home screen, order the battery online and select store pickup. You'll get 15%-25% off + $25 coupon to use on a future purchase (depending on the discount code at the time), no shipping charge, and no core charge. Just take your order receipt to the store and pick it up. Hang onto your old battery to have a convenient 12v power source in the garage for testing mods and accessories or wait until Advance offers a coupon to bring in any old battery for $10. Once you calculate the final cost it will be almost as cheap as a big, heavy, water-filled battery that has a 3 year life.

 

Very informative thread. Great info from all. My 06 C2S (31k on odometer) still has the original OEM battery, though I keep it on a battery tender ALL of the time I'll air on the side of caution and replace it this weekend. I think I'll go with the Bosch and be just fine.

 

GOOD POINT. From my research, I read that Keeping the Battery as close to 100% charge will help to maximize the life.

to clarify, "Battery Tender" is a brand name. Float Charger is more correct, technically. Also note that "trickle charger" is not what one wants to use because it can degrade the battery and use excessive water, as it is constantly charging the battery. A float charger kicks in when the voltage drops to 12.5 volts (12.6v is a full charge)

 

I purchased the Autocraft AGM H7 from Advance to replace my 4 year old Interstate. Seems to crank faster that the larger Interstate did when new and only cost me $160.

 

So the optima must default to the reverse, or the size 34 specifies a specific arrangement. The H7 from Walmart is the same arrangement to the original Moll.


Good point. Though an adjustable DC power supply also works, and is likely lighter.

 

I just got an AGM at advanced autoparts one of their own brand, ordered online and got 25% off, so paid about $125 for it. Seems like a great battery so far.

 

Found a couple photos of my Optima 34R Install. I apologize for the photo quality not being all that great, but it does show how much space the Optima saves on the OEM battery tray (this was one of my primary objectives to have enough space to mount a small compressor).

 

Very cool. I know from the OEM H7 to the bigger H8, I can also put in a smaller version (H6?) which would save space.

Do report how well the lower capacity battery works out.

 

I've had the Optima installed for about 6 months. No issues at all. It cranks faster than the regular full size battery in my wife's 997.

 

Just to clarify. I believe the 996 and 997 mostly both used an OEM 740 CCA battery. I just replaced the battery in my 996 car. It was an:
H6 with 690 CCA, 7% less than OEM.
As far as maintenance, it was only driven 3-6 weeks/year and usually stored with the battery disconnected, but it was also left connected on 2 occasions until it was totally discharged by the security system. Anecdotal evidence being what it is, I would say the lower capacity battery lasting 5.5 years under those circumstances was more than satisfactory.

The Optima 34r and most H7 batteries seem to be 800 CCA currently, 8% greater than OEM.

I went with the H8 because it was 850 CCA, 15% higher than OEM

And Minok, your earlier post about the battery tray hole threads is important. Before getting a battery bigger than stock, one should check to see if the mounting hole is threaded. I went to the trouble to pull my tray so I could inform all that if one needs to get a nut tack welded to the 3rd hole, at least it only takes a minute or two to remove the tray with the proper 13mm socket and extension.

And now that my tray is out I can sand the rust off and repaint it. As if that is important...

 

Petza914 when you installed you Optima battery did you have a bracket in place to stop it rolling around ?

Cheers,

Ray

 

Thanks to all for the info,got H7 replaced OEM for my 07 Targa4 from Walmart..slide in & fits perfectly

 

Great thread. For those buying from Walmart, do they put it in for you or more like a DIY?