Alternator upgrade questions!
- Thread starter Brahma12
- Start date
how much depends on what u get, it could be anywhere from 150$ to 1000$ one thing to be aware of. even though it is high output, allot of cheaper h.o. alts allot of times will actually put out less power then your stock alternator at idle. some won't put out their h.o. rating till say 3000rpm's or higher, so be very carefull with what your loooking into getting, make sure it puts out allot of power near idle.
how much? generally I've heard between 4-600
how hard...well...nothing in a car that's bolt on is really, hard...it's just time consuming. But...this isn't exactly bolt on...you have to protect the ECU from the higher voltage and all ths other stuff. I'm not keen on all the specifics, but suffice to say it's not like installing an intake or an exhaust.
Where? I'm not too sure on this either...I think other OEM alternators can work, but I forget which. Got Wake? or 1st MP3 should know.
Will it void my warranty? Short answer...no. Nothing can totally void your warranty. Will it void the warranty on your electrical system and possibly your ECU? It could...if it doesn't get installed right and fries a bunch of stuff, then you're SOL. Remember, you can replace parts, but if that part causes the damage and the dealer can prove it, then they don't have to cover the repairs.
how hard...well...nothing in a car that's bolt on is really, hard...it's just time consuming. But...this isn't exactly bolt on...you have to protect the ECU from the higher voltage and all ths other stuff. I'm not keen on all the specifics, but suffice to say it's not like installing an intake or an exhaust.
Where? I'm not too sure on this either...I think other OEM alternators can work, but I forget which. Got Wake? or 1st MP3 should know.
Will it void my warranty? Short answer...no. Nothing can totally void your warranty. Will it void the warranty on your electrical system and possibly your ECU? It could...if it doesn't get installed right and fries a bunch of stuff, then you're SOL. Remember, you can replace parts, but if that part causes the damage and the dealer can prove it, then they don't have to cover the repairs.
price is dependent on many factors. mostly where you buy it or have it built. my buddy usually charges $2 per amp for custom built alts. i'm having an alt built that will put out 160 amps at idle, and over 200 amps at about 2k rpms. there is also other things you can do, like have an external voltage regulator and/or rectifier, cause high amperage in a small case design burns both those pieces up.
install is rather easy. loosen up the tension bolt, and remove the big bolt. then it drops.
1st has one in a delco case. i dunno about anything for custom mount for it, though. mine is being built into a ford case that is rated up to 300 amps. it's a bit larger than my stock one, but my 1.6L has plenty of room for it
you could check with ohio generators or powermaxx. dave cameron, who's on my forum, has a powermaxx on his MSP and said that he's had nothing but problems with the ECU hating not being plugged into an alt. my buddy checked with a place that specializes in converters to use the stock wiring, and they said there was a VERY high chance trying to run an aftermarket alt though the stock wiring harness will fry the ECU.
warranty, well, if ANYTHING happens to the electrical system, then i see the dealer blaming it on the alt. they could say either the aftermarket alt delivered too high of voltage to the component. the stock alt puts out 14.3 volts. mine is going to put out 14.6 volts. and i've thought about adding an external voltage adjustment so i can crank it up to 14.8 or 14.9 volts, but i dunno what the limit for the ECU is, and i don't want to push it.
install is rather easy. loosen up the tension bolt, and remove the big bolt. then it drops.
1st has one in a delco case. i dunno about anything for custom mount for it, though. mine is being built into a ford case that is rated up to 300 amps. it's a bit larger than my stock one, but my 1.6L has plenty of room for it
you could check with ohio generators or powermaxx. dave cameron, who's on my forum, has a powermaxx on his MSP and said that he's had nothing but problems with the ECU hating not being plugged into an alt. my buddy checked with a place that specializes in converters to use the stock wiring, and they said there was a VERY high chance trying to run an aftermarket alt though the stock wiring harness will fry the ECU.warranty, well, if ANYTHING happens to the electrical system, then i see the dealer blaming it on the alt. they could say either the aftermarket alt delivered too high of voltage to the component. the stock alt puts out 14.3 volts. mine is going to put out 14.6 volts. and i've thought about adding an external voltage adjustment so i can crank it up to 14.8 or 14.9 volts, but i dunno what the limit for the ECU is, and i don't want to push it.
