Strangely, no one has posted this before.

The Optima Part Number of the drop-in replacement Red Top battery for the WRX that has been variously referred in these forums as,

"35-910"
"Series 35, red top"
"35R", or
"Series 35, w/ reverse terminals"

is 8020-164.


When someone says "35-910" they are referring to the Series 35 red top with 910 cold cranking amps. However, this doesn't really pin down the specific battery. Also the 35"R" designation refers to the reverse terminal setup needed on our cars (barring tilting the battery or extending the terminals).

For the longest time I thought I was going crazy in not being able to find an Optima dealer that stocked the battery. Finally a kind salesperson at BatteriesPlus decided to do some extra credit homework to figure out what the hell I was talking about when I kept referring to the "35-910." Turns out Optima's designation for it is "8020-164." So, if the places that you are looking at for the red top tells you they have no battery called the (whatever you read on nasioc), give them the Optima part number. Probably a better way to pin these suckers down.

Hope this helps,

Ben

sticky this asap

How about a sticky for battery #'s of various types/brands? (like the wheels that fit one)

Nice work. I'll have to remember this when it comes time for me to change batteries.

ditto

Good info...where did you get yours from? Locally or mail-order?

THanks
Chris

I got mine locally. I first went to the optima website to find out where the different optima vendor/dealers were in my area and just went down the list calling each one. Found it sort of funny that nobody had what I needed (though I do hear that many end up ordering it online from remybattery (which incidentally lists it as a "35-910"), as they're sort-of sized for a specific app.) Regardless, one of the salespeople at batteriesplus was about to tell me the same thing, that they didn't have it either, but decided that maybe he'd do some more searching to see if he can come up with anything. an hour later I had a battery.

I think that a sticky for various batteries and apps will be good. It shouldn't be too long. Perhaps there could be two or three columns, for lightweight, standard use and deep cycle applications?

Ben

I found this on a website for the specs on the battery. Notice they used the crank amp instead of cold crank amp to designate it as model 35-720, but it's a type 8020-164. I'm guessing some companies use the cold crank amp to end up calling it a 35-910.

From a specification table:
Model: 35-720
Type: 8020-164
Color: Red Top
Volts: 12
AH: 44
CA: 910
CCA: 720


CA == crank amp
CCA == cold crank amp


Saw it here:
http://www.batteryweb.com/optima.cfm

thanks rallyroo.

yet another reason to standardize these numbers!

Ben

awesome thread..especially since my battery just died today and i was looking into one of these. thanx rallyroo

Thanks Bumpage
8020-164 ftw...

thanks for the info

Call Opitma, gave them that# and they said nope, it was a 7535. Then the 7535 did not fit, I'm pissed ay Optima

The 75/35 is the same battery in a "universal" configuration with both top post and side terminals. The posts are located differently than on the standard 35 so the starter cable will not reach the positive terminal, it is short by a few inches. This can be remedied by replacing the cable with a "universal starter to switch" cable from the parts store, which costs about $5. You need one that is at least 29-30" long.
I have a 75/35 in my WRX installed with a new cable as described. At the time I bought my battery the 35 was not available. However it is preferable to get the 35 which will fit with no modifications.
Short response, don't listen to what Optima says.

I wish I would have seen this thread a few hours ago. I found out the hard way, just like everything else.

http://www.batteriesplus.com/p-23892-optima-35-red-top-starting-battery.aspx


went to batteries plus last night and ordered this one up. thanks for the info. oh and the price i was charged was $129 n ot 139.

...glad to hear the thread is helping. :)

Ben

Thanks for the help. If you are checking with Interstate Batteries, the following info will help.

Optima part # 8020-164
Interstate part #SC35A
Price quoted on phone $131.96 + tax

But don't go calling them until tomorrow as my local Interstate guy has only 1 in stock, wouldn't want someone else beating me to it.

http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4405

Just ordered mine from Remy Battery. They're using the "35-910" designation.