I have a 2002 Buick LeSabre that needs a new battery and I have had some problem locating one at a reasonable price. The current battery is a Group 79 and it is not readily available from Costco and Walmart which are the lowest retail prices in this area of Georgia. Nobody locally has them in stock from either place. I have placed an order through Costco that may take three weeks or more to come in. Costco sells the Interstate brand while Walmart sells the EverStart Maxx brand. Both places list the Group 78 as an alternate. The group 79 specs state 860 CCA and the Group 78 states 800 CCA.

The Group 79 length is 12 1/16” and the Group 78 length is 10 ¼” long. My vent tubing is too long for the group 78 battery even though it will work electrically.

The reality is that there are not that many GM vehicles still on the road that still uses the side mount connection for the battery. My 2011 DTS uses a top mount for the Group 94R or H7 AGM battery for this car. Most auto supply outlets show the Group 78 battery as the replacement for this LeSabre vehicle.

I am considering changing the connections on the existing cables in the LeSabre to a top mount replacement. By changing to a top mount battery it will become easier now and into the future to find replacement batteries without having to order them in advance. The Group 94R has the positive connection on the right while the LeSabre has the positive connection on the left. The price for the group 78 battery is from $120 to $150 at Costco to Walmart, Auto parts stores are about $210 to $250 so there is a distinct price range for these batteries and the group 79 prices are similar.

I will have to determine whether there will be enough existing cable to work to make this modification.

I am curious whether there has been anyone may have already made this modification.

If so, I would appreciate some feedback.