Alternator upgrade

[Eagle]

Well after a bit of research, I've found lots of folks with power adders on their LSx cars (esp those w/FI setups and big after market fuel systems) having problems with their alternators. Seems the stock 105A alt has a difficult time pushing all the juice needed to run everything and soon starts dying, but doesn't completely fail in most cases. Seems that they start to have issues providing power at higher RPMs and also during cruising ppl have seen their headlights "flickering".... I too noticed this towards the 2nd half of the season last year.

SO! I found out that you can get a 145A from a 2003 Chebby Silverado and it drops right in for $149 from Advance with a lifetime warranty (without TCG discount). Much cheaper than the 150A Powermaster which Summit lists @ $242 and many folks on TECH report their fancy Powermaster's failing.

If any of you folks are noticing your fbody's headlights flickering a bit... this might be the culprit. Thought I'd share.

Click to read more...

 

[Bru]

Interesting. Obviously I'm not running a big boy setup but do have the racetronix w/ harness. I'm sure the stocker with 107,000 miles could be freshened up so might consider this.

 

[Eagle]

Yep, mine is stock as well but with only 65k and it went out. I even pulled it out and had it tested last year cuz I was sure it was dying. It tested good tho, so I put it back in Guess it needed to be spun faster or get up to temp to have issues?

 

[CrunkMaro]

are you sure thats the issue? i had a similar issue on my camaro and went through a couple alts before i actually did a system test. it was showing no response on throttle meaning the excitor wire was fucked. replaced the wire with an aftermarket single wire unit and a crunktastically waterproof connection (no soldering--> crimp/connect/heatshrink/heatshrink/heatshrink/tape) and problem solved.

that is a pretty good deal for someone who doesn't want to rebuild their alt though.


rebuild is easy as shitzu.

http://www.aspwholesale.com/index.php?act=viewCat&catId=654

and cheap

http://www.aspwholesale.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=5158

240amp

 

[Eagle]

Yea, I had to rework my exciter wire to relocate my alt so I know its working in my case. I'd torn it off in the past too and needed to solder it before that. Good suggestion though.

 

[Bru]

I haven't had a chance to poke around yet but are there any modifications to the ground or power wiring recommended with the upped amps?

 

[Eagle]

Nope, you shouldn't have to do anything. IF you wanted you could run a heavier gauge wire back to the battery, but that's not really necessary.

 

[Bru]

Niiiiiice

 

[Shibby50]

Hmmm, I think I'll have to add this to the list with the new stereo system/hids/ and fuel system stuff.
Might as well throw a new belt on while I'm at it.

 

[Eagle]

WAIT WAIT, HIDS on a TA? Do tell.

 

[Mook]

ddm tuning?

 

[Eagle]

TA's have old school glass headlights....

 

[Bru]

I poked around for HIDs on the T/A and there were a few retrofit options. Might attempt it this summer as well in the stock capsules.

 

[Mook]

TA's have old school glass headlights....

oh ya

 

[Shibby50]

WAIT WAIT, HIDS on a TA? Do tell.

Have the ebay projector in glass kit and a low wattage kit in my fogs. Works good for now. Haven't been flashed yet.

 

[Eagle]

pics shibbs?

 

[Shibby50]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/7X6-...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

like these, ill have to look to find which ones i got exactly, battery is out of the car now so I can't get good pics, not the highest quality but ok for the price. I didn't feel like shelling out the 600 for the BLS kit

 

[Yaj Yak]

just put two of them der heavyduty altrantaers on err... thatll do her up riiight.

 

[Eagle]

isn't it a bit early to be drinking already, KJ?

 

[ktraver97ss]

I will be getting a dual alt kit from dcpower over the summer to help with the load my plow puts on the system. They seem to have some nice options that would work for your application too.

https://www.dcpowerinc.com/brackets-and-kits/dual-alternator-bracket-kits.html

 

[Eagle]

 

[JDHedman]

Well after a bit of research, I've found lots of folks with power adders on their LSx cars (esp those w/FI setups and big after market fuel systems) having problems with their alternators. Seems the stock 105A alt has a difficult time pushing all the juice needed to run everything and soon starts dying, but doesn't completely fail in most cases. Seems that they start to have issues providing power at higher RPMs and also during cruising ppl have seen their headlights "flickering".... I too noticed this towards the 2nd half of the season last year.

SO! I found out that you can get a 145A from a 2003 Chebby Silverado and it drops right in for $149 from Advance with a lifetime warranty (without TCG discount). Much cheaper than the 150A Powermaster which Summit lists @ $242 and many folks on TECH report their fancy Powermaster's failing.

If any of you folks are noticing your fbody's headlights flickering a bit... this might be the culprit. Thought I'd share.

Thats good to know

 

[Eagle]

I thought so too!

 

[JDHedman]

Try selling them on tech for $200 plus shipping lol

 

[TransHed]

WAIT WAIT, HIDS on a TA? Do tell.

TA's have old school glass headlights....

I bought unsealed headlight housings for my TA. I just swap the bulbs out when they go out now, and I can upgrade to HIDs no problem at any point. Granted, they arent projector headlights and dont aim the beam like HIDs should but still.