Batteries, Batteries, Batteries, What do you use or recommend in a 914? Original Porsche Battery & Fuel Rail Recall Info Options

[tumamilhem]

I know there have been a couple threads mentioning this, but I thought it would be helpful to have a thread solitary to the discussion of batteries to compare and contrast the pros and cons of many options to make an educated and sound decision when buying the right kind of battery for your car. This will also serve as a good guide by seasoned owners for new 914 owners.

So I'll go first with the most obvious question, and actually a current one, as I am shopping around for a new battery for my car.

What (in your opinion) is the best battery to use in a 914 and why? This is a question I am curious about because I need a new battery.

Many 914 owners prefer the Optima due to its closed top to prevent leaking of acid that drains down into the notorious hell hole, eventually destroying the frame of the car if not tended to. This is a huge advantage. Typically, the type of Optima used is the Red Top / Size 34 Series.

I have used Interstate in the past. I don't find they last too long. I also had cranking issues sometimes. The battery would seam to wear down quicker if I needed to start it a few times.

I am currently trying to take advantage of the recall on the 914 which was the battery issue. I discovered that not only did Porsche provide the battery cover, but replaced fuel lines. I contacted Brumos Porsche (I live locally) inquiring if this was still done. Not only could they not bring up anything via my year and VIN number, but not the recall number either. So they had to make a few phone calls to dig deeper into their archives. It's been a week now and nothing yet.

Here is that recall information for your information:

Porsche 914 Fuel Rail Recalls
Recall Number: 77V105000
Owner Notification Date: July 12, 1977
Record Creation Date: October 12, 1979

Defect Description:
The Battery covers on the involved vehicles may be missing, damaged, or improperly installed. This condition could allow water to contact the top of the battery and mix with acid. This mixture could cause the fuel hoses to deteriorate and lead to fuel leakage.

Defect Consequence: n/a
Corrective Action: Dealer will install a new Battery cover and hold down clamp, and replace all fuel hoses in the engine compartment, without charge to owner.

So what battery do you recommend?

[rfuerst911sc]

I could not find a Odyssey battery locally and was in a bind so that's why I went with the sealed wet cell # 42. I added the battery acid mat as extra insurance. If I still have the car when this battery croaks I will probably go with a Odyssey PC 925 and use their mount.

[tumamilhem]

So what are the performance differences; pros and cons between the Optima red top and Odessy PC 925?

[Tom_T]

So what are the performance differences; pros and cons between the Optima red top and Odessy PC 925?

Tommy -

Odessy is lighter, dry cell (no gel nor water filled cells), smaller size & puts out comparable CCA/CA but is more expensive & needs an adapter to mount on the tray.

Optima is bigger & heavier - but comparable to old school sealed lead/acid batteries, gel mat cell (as opposed to old school water/acid filled cells), similar CCA/CA, & a bit less expensive that Odessy AFAIK, but more than old school sealed batteries.

However, recently Optima has dropped in quality & life, so maybe not worth the extra coin. Interstate batteries are closed cell water/acid type & used to be good as well, but are owned by the same company & have suffered the same decline in quality over the past few years since acquired.

As Mark said above - I'd look for Odessy or another gel mat cell mfgr. with a better rep. - of which there are a couple in Euroland/ROW, but I don't know offhand which brands are available here.

BTW folks - I had re-quoted the initial info because the topic OP seemed to have missed the info posted early on and had been overwhelmed by all the other flotsam & jetsam which some decided to post which were off-topic & didn't help Tommy out at all.

So sometimes there is a good reason to re-quote stuff, but never a good reason to slam a member's thread in order to get him closed IMHO.

[tumamilhem]

So what are the performance differences; pros and cons between the Optima red top and Odessy PC 925?

Tommy -

Odessy is lighter, dry cell (no gel nor water filled cells), smaller size & puts out comparable CCA/CA but is more expensive & needs an adapter to mount on the tray.

Optima is bigger & heavier - but comparable to old school sealed lead/acid batteries, gel mat cell (as opposed to old school water/acid filled cells), similar CCA/CA, & a bit less expensive that Odessy AFAIK, but more than old school sealed batteries.

However, recently Optima has dropped in quality & life, so maybe not worth the extra coin. Interstate batteries are closed cell water/acid type & used to be good as well, but are owned by the same company & have suffered the same decline in quality over the past few years since acquired.

As Mark said above - I'd look for Odessy or another gel mat cell mfgr. with a better rep. - of which there are a couple in Euroland/ROW, but I don't know offhand which brands are available here.

BTW folks - I had re-quoted the initial info because the topic OP seemed to have missed the info posted early on and had been overwhelmed by all the other flotsam & jetsam which some decided to post which were off-topic & didn't help Tommy out at all.

So sometimes there is a good reason to re-quote stuff, but never a good reason to slam a member's thread in order to get him closed IMHO.

Thanks for your input and info, Tom! Where can I find one of these battery adapters and how to install it and where do you suggest a good place to buy an Odyssey battery at a competitive price? (or where did you find yours) and which Odyssey battery(s) specifically do you recommend for a 914?