I considered it. I got my red top from Interstate since work has a account with them and I’m alergic to paying retail. But in the end every lb counts and I think the red top has enough jam to do the job.
Interesting that the stock bracket worked so well for you DuncanC (btw did you just join?) I found it held it from bouncing up, but I could still push the battery sideways. I’m going to try and make a home depot bracket myself this weekend, just for peace of mind. I have a couple ideas and they would be pretty easy to implement, I was just strapped for time when I did the battery swap.
^The redtop’s dimensions length wise (side to side of the car) are less than the OEM battery, but the width (front to back of the car) are pretty close to OEM. I think the slightly cheaper & lighter yellow top doesn’t match the width as well though. Anyhow, my redtop was able to be pretty secured with just the oem bracket due to it’s similar width. I just got it in place and cranked it down. There might have been a tiny bit of wiggle, but I felt that it wasn’t going to be going anywhere.
JHM at one time was going to make a bracket for some of the lightweight battery options out there, but I think they were hesitant to pick a specific battery as they were worried people who didn’t drive frequently enough or who were in worse climates might suffer from not enough juice in the battery and it probably wasn’t worth people complaining (even though it obviously wouldn’t have anything to do with JHM, but that’s how things go).
Here’s bora’s LW battery install thread: http://audirevolution.net/forum/index.php?topic=176.msg2329#msg2329
After seeing this thread pop up back to the top I thought I would post an update.
So far the battery has worked incredibly well. Initially I was a bit apprehensive on the low CCA of the redtop, but there have been a number of very cold days in Chicago, and up in Madison, and it has started up every time like a champ.
For those of you thinking of picking one up, just make sure you get the 35 series and it should fit pretty damn well. I used Bora’s shim idea and it hasn’t moved an inch since I installed it.
After the LW crank pulley, and the LW rotors, saving 30 lbs from a battery is an easy choice. I think people have been worrying too much on the CCA, but considering I drive my car every day in Chicago most people won’t have any issue with it.
Optima underrates their CCA ratings. As does Interstate. The 35 series Optima will work for most climates but our neighbors to the north may need an OEM style battery.
BTW my book shows the 35 series weighing in at 32lbs. So the weight savings vs the MTP-93(43lbs) may be worth it.
^Yea I forgot to mention which “series” I had. I THINK it was the 35 or 37 series. The series is a big factor as far as size and CCA. To me it was a pretty big weight drop, a great option for stereo equipment, decent price, and great reviews/life etc.
I compared the 34R to the MTP-93 as it appeared to have the same dimensions in size, so I figured it would be a perfect fit.
According to the optima site that is right around 37lbs, the 35 is a slightly smaller battery dimensionwise and ~7lbs lighter than the 34R.
I got the 35 series too, CCA was a step up for me (620 stock 720 optima?) And the 30 pound drop was pretty convenient considering the output and price point.
As far as cold starts, It doesnt get much below -10C (20F?) where I live, and it started fine at that temperature.
oem ‘style’? What is this…some kind of counterfeit battery bootleg operation, motherfucker?
Personally I’d never pay more than $20 for an OEM used battery in a 8 year old car. The guy might say it’s only 2 years old but I’d never believe him. Especially someone shady like joe lol
Lol oem style=OES or OE replacement. Mine is a Carquest special made by Varta(OEM supplier). I even has the date punched out on it so don’t go there!
$30 and a free pit bull puppy
Worked great for me. It was a 35A Redtop.
And no. I joined ages ago, but haven’t been active. I have a car parts addiction… And I was avoiding buying any more car parts… So I stayed off the forums for a while. But it’s time for some more go fast so I’m back. 
99% sure I’m going to buy something fun in the next couple days for the S4, but just waiting to line up the final details.
^ Hope it’s what I think it is. You’re car has been wanting it for a while. . .
You already have pretty much every JHM part on your car so your next mod better damn well be a JHM supercharger!
I think it’s the heater bypass he’s excited about!
Gotta be, I can’t think of anything else to be that excited about!
lol. There are still lots of JHM parts I need. I’m no where near close enough to having the full set yet.
I did pull the trigger on my latest addition but you’ll have to wait to close to the end of February for a thread and details.
^^^ HAHA! That’s hilarious Joe. Good stuff
I actually followed Bora’s write up an replaced my battery with a 35 series redtop a couple of weeks ago. Mine actually fits perfectly snug. The only difference is I could only fit one washer behind the bracket, with two the nut wouldn’t even thread.