I went shopping for a new battery today. Found an Optima 35 but didn't buy. The guy was really honest with me and said that Johnson Controls owns Optima these days and that Optima's are made in The UAE, Spain and Saudi Arabia. Not the USA. Quality control is NOT what it used to be. Then he mentioned Panasonic batteries and talked about how good they are.
I have a sweet '73 2.0 with a perfect battery tray and hell hole. I don't want them messed up from an acid battery. What are your thoughts and ideas on this?
I'd really like to buy something domestic. Help me out.

Odyssey PC925....about $175 on Amazon...you'll need the SAE posts, something like $12....
Totally sealed made to "military" specs.....no affiliation but love 'em.

Best thing I found was this "sealed" AGM battery made by XS Power.
Carried by both Jegs and Summit Racing.
It cost about $280 including shipping.
Bolts right into the factory battery tray using the stock hold down hardware.
Terminals are in the correct locations.
Has plenty of power in cranking amps (760A) and reserve or amp-hrs (62A-hr).
Weighs 41 lbs.

Wild graphics on the battery:

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I tamed down using a battery cover and some creative graphics on the side:

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So far, it's been the perfect battery for me.

I also like the the Odyssey PC925.
Note that it has a smaller footprint so you'll need to engineer something to keep it secure in the tray unless you buy the ridiculously overpriced holder which is almost as much as the battery itself.

I'm running the Odyssey PC1200 in my 914-6 and it actually fits nicely. Little smaller than the stock battery, but fits.

I run PC925's in our VW Bugs.

Odyssey is the go to. But these days there are other players. The tech is what matters.

You are definitely cool. You have MFI on your motor and a Kliban cat towel on the back.

The battery is nice, but that wiring harness...

Here's a couple of photos showing the hold down (I know, I know it's dirty...hold your comments....then again I drive the piss out of it a lot!). Got the hold down at Advance or Autozone & had to shorten the metal rods & bend an "L" in the end, no big deal. Also placed a spacer on the forward end in the tray to take up the room....
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Second pic....Click to view attachment

Yes, Perry.....that custom engine wiring harness you built for my car is great or the cat's meow.
Even Rothsport was impressed by it.

Yes, MFI was a must for me and this car.
And nice eye there.
It is a Kliban cat towel.
Seems like Kliban cat stuff has been a favorite of my family for as long as I can remember. Haha

DynaBat really good battery and only weighs 14lbs.