Battery OPTIMA or OEM Hyundai

i had a yellowtop in my gti for several years. i got it from a friend who had had it as a second battery with his stereo install for 2 years. it lasted about 6 years total. bought a red top and liked it a ton. when my tt stock batt goes out, ill get one.

red top fits perfectly fine..no mods

If your cover does not fit on the 75/35, you must be using the spacer under the battery! I have this model and my cover fits fine and no modifications to the battery box were required.

I have a redtop 75/35 and it fits fine. The battery cover doesn't fit over without a little modification though. And you have to slightly trim the top bracket that folds down over the battery..

red top model # 8020-164-35 RT I have one and it fits perfectly in the oem battery box and cover.

Redtop here as well - fits fine and bolts in just fine.

i'm very pleased with the battery's performance. i took the family to the drive in theater and sat through 3 movies listening to the stereo and using the lights. when it was time to start the van, it did so without even the slightest hint of complaint. also, this afternoon my EV gave me a fit and would not fire up at the car wash. i cranked the living bejeesus out of the starter and the battery never once gave a sign of weakening. no jumps were needed. a highly recommended battery alternative!

I would guess the alternator is fine, but you toasted the battery on the charger. Optimas don't respond well to rapid charging, and will do as you described. The top will warp, and acid/gas will escape from the vent holes. I'd bet it was screwed before you put it in the car, and the drive just finished off the job.

I've had to return 3 Red Top's prior to their 1 year warranty for replacements. Only 1 of the 3 replacements is still installed, the other 2 have gone bad and have been replaced with generic O'Reilly's batteries, which i've had much better luck with.

Optima are very over rated. They once were good batteries but not anymore.