High Amp Alternators

[Need4Camaro]

Mine is ready to quit and I don't blame it... Stock Original Alt with 155K on the clock... I was wondering first off what is the stock Amps? I like to drive around with alot of stuff on at times and was wondering if I could go with a higher amp Altnerator? If I do this whats the maximum I can go without having to change any cables, wires, ect? Can I get any more detail as to what I would need, a good amperage to use, and if I would have to change my belt?

[dorkins]

it all depends what you are running... high current amps?

standard equiptment?
everything SHOULD bolt up, and changing wire is not needed, but "the big 3" is recomended

[Need4Camaro]

Originally posted by dorkins:
it all depends what you are running... high current amps?

standard equiptment?
everything SHOULD bolt up, and changing wire is not needed, but "the big 3" is recomended

Mostly Standard for the moment although I intend on changing some things in the future...

I have a lighting system I run at night simular to neons but thats it. Thing is in GA it rains quite a bit here so I find myself having to use Windshield Wipers, Headlights, A/C, and Radio while at highway speeds and you can bet that about kills the stock alternator...

Whats the "Big 3"???

[Tyler]

yea for real.. whats the big 3?

[Marty85]

Wire from battery negative to chassis. Wire from battery negative to engine block. Wire from battery postive to alternator postive. Those should just about cover it. Also for a little piece of mind and if you have enough wire on hand, wire from battery postive to starter could be made a little larger as well but seeing as how this wire only carries starter current, I dont see any reason for it to be bigger than what it already is unless you have a high torque starter.

[Muttled]

Any recommendations on guages of wires? What kind of electrical power gains (I guess power not lost is more appropriate) could be expected from the upgrade?

[FireFighter]

Use atleast 4 awg wire, you lights won't dim anymore is one thing to be expected.

[Need4Camaro]

Originally posted by FireFighter:
Use atleast 4 awg wire, you lights won't dim anymore is one thing to be expected.

Will I absolutely NEED this or can I get away with it and if so for how long? How much 4awg wire am I going to need and how much is this going to cost?

[TopHatJimmy]

I did the "Big 3" on my 95 3.4L (stock 105A alternator)and I needed about 1.5' from Battery + to alternator, about 6" from Battery - to the body, and about 1' from the body to the engine block. Made a big difference in stabilizing my voltage. Lights were brighter and I can have all my accessories on and still be over 13 volts. I highly recommend doing this even if you aren't running stereo or lighting equipment. The factory 10 guage wire is a friggin' joke....MAJOR restiction in current flow.

As far as the wire, use 4 guage high strand wire, available at any stereo shop. Ask them if they have any scraps lying around, they'll probably just give it to you.

[Need4Camaro]

Originally posted by TopHatJimmy:
I did the "Big 3" on my 95 3.4L (stock 105A alternator)and I needed about 1.5' from Battery + to alternator, about 6" from Battery - to the body, and about 1' from the body to the engine block. Made a big difference in stabilizing my voltage. Lights were brighter and I can have all my accessories on and still be over 13 volts. I highly recommend doing this even if you aren't running stereo or lighting equipment. The factory 10 guage wire is a friggin' joke....MAJOR restiction in current flow.

As far as the wire, use 4 guage high strand wire, available at any stereo shop. Ask them if they have any scraps lying around, they'll probably just give it to you.

I see, what about the plugs? 4 Gauge is pretty big wire to...splice plugs in, so how did you connect the plugs for the battery and alternator into the wire?

Also what is the stock alternator for our 3.8's? and where can I look for higher output ones?

[FireFighter]

Stock alt puts out 105 amps max, look on ebay or altstart.com for the H/O alt. I got mine off ebay, never had a problem and it was cheaper.

[Need4Camaro]

Originally posted by FireFighter:
Stock alt puts out 105 amps max, look on ebay or altstart.com for the H/O alt. I got mine off ebay, never had a problem and it was cheaper.

Checked http://www.altstart.com but that didn't look like an alternator site... Whats an H/O alt? What kind or size Alt am I looking for that will fit 3.8's? I'm trying to see what fits so I don't go and buy the wrong GM alt...