What CS144 alternator do I need???
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 0
From: Salina Kansas
What CS144 alternator do I need???
I have a '76 and want to upgrade to a 150 amp or so alternator to run my efi, stereo and electric fans (36 amp on fans alone). I have the regular V belt pulleys.
Will a '93-'96 Impala CS144 alternator work? Will my pulley come off and press onto it?
Will a '93-'96 Impala CS144 alternator work? Will my pulley come off and press onto it?
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,625
Likes: 4
From: Miami FL
I just bought a polised CS144 with plug conversion and all from these guys below. There were recommended to me from another forum member who bought there stuff on eBay. If you buy from them direct vs. eBay they wll not charge you for the adapter plug. I will be installing mine next week and can report back.
Ron and Rich
Quality Power Auto Inc.
31510 Yucaipa Blvd
Yucaipa, CA, 92399
(909) 794-1600
7-5, M-F, PST
Ron and Rich
Quality Power Auto Inc.
31510 Yucaipa Blvd
Yucaipa, CA, 92399
(909) 794-1600
7-5, M-F, PST
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,743
Likes: 1,385
I got my CS-144 at the boneyard...
for 22 bucks. Just wanted to see if it fit; and it turned out to be recently rebuilt 150 amp delco unit (according to NAPA website). tested it sat and then installed it.
the adapter plug + belt ended up costing me more than the alternator.
the adapter plug + belt ended up costing me more than the alternator.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,743
Likes: 1,385
apologies for not answering your question....
..yes, you can just swap your original v-belt pulley with the serpentine pulley.
You can see a picture of it here:
http://www.napaonline.com/masterpage...mfd+-+Standard
It's got that goofy 3rd ear which I lopped off (after all it only cost 22 bucks!) and I was glad to discover it's rated for 140 to 150 amps. You can see from the picture in the website above that, other than that goofy 3rd ear, the bolt hoes are 180 degrees apart...perfect to bolt onto and old Chevy.
You can see a picture of it here:
http://www.napaonline.com/masterpage...mfd+-+Standard
It's got that goofy 3rd ear which I lopped off (after all it only cost 22 bucks!) and I was glad to discover it's rated for 140 to 150 amps. You can see from the picture in the website above that, other than that goofy 3rd ear, the bolt hoes are 180 degrees apart...perfect to bolt onto and old Chevy.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,092
Likes: 5
From: Fayetteville Arkansas
yep
I got mine from Autozone and it is for a 93-96 Impala SS... fit right in and looks great... but dont forget the electrical plug , I got mine at Ecklers for like $10. It's an easy mod!
best of luck,
Sully
best of luck,
Sully
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Verdad Gallardo
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
Likes: 8
From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
Here's how I did mine - I used a Cadillac alternator and got one for about $30. My mounting is different, but you'll get the idea... 
10-SI to CS-144 Alternator Replacement
10-SI to CS-144 Alternator Replacement
Last edited by Z-man; Oct 25, 2007 at 10:19 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I bought the Power master single wire from Summit racing.
Two problems - first is the diameter of the bigger alternator has clearance problems with my big tall valve covers requiring a longer upper adjustment arm.
The second was the small pulley it came with.
Alternators have a red line rev. limit. I had to install a bigger pulley to not over rpm the alternator. It was listed at 17,000 or so. Most pulley ratios are 3-1 on the crank. So 6000 rpm exceeds them. When your are talking 7500 rpm motors it becomes a big deal.
Oh I almost forgot the third problem. Wire gauge size. I redid all the stock wiring with 12 gauge to take on the amps
Two problems - first is the diameter of the bigger alternator has clearance problems with my big tall valve covers requiring a longer upper adjustment arm.
The second was the small pulley it came with.
Alternators have a red line rev. limit. I had to install a bigger pulley to not over rpm the alternator. It was listed at 17,000 or so. Most pulley ratios are 3-1 on the crank. So 6000 rpm exceeds them. When your are talking 7500 rpm motors it becomes a big deal.
Oh I almost forgot the third problem. Wire gauge size. I redid all the stock wiring with 12 gauge to take on the amps
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
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From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,255
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From: Brampton Ont.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Yes, but you have to be practical also. Use the math. 12 gauge is safe to about 2000+ watts. So your motor is spinning 4000 rpm and your alternator is outputting 100 amps @ 13.8 volts 100X13.8=1380 watts
The stock wiring would melt the insulation and vaporize the wires at those power levels.
You have to start adding up the amps on cars with high power ignitions, 36 amp electric fans, head lights on high beams, electric fuel pumps.......
The stock wiring would melt the insulation and vaporize the wires at those power levels.
You have to start adding up the amps on cars with high power ignitions, 36 amp electric fans, head lights on high beams, electric fuel pumps.......
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,255
Likes: 82
From: Brampton Ont.
Since there tends to be more Cadi's that 93-96 Impala SS at the yard, can someone be more specific as to which model and even specific years that I should be looking for?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,743
Likes: 1,385
I would not have used smaller gauge wire...
..than what came stock from the factory. Especially when more than doubling the original alternator output. But that's just me....I'm quite conservative and just use fusible links.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I did use a 10 gauge from the alternator
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 104
From: charlotte north carolina
you can't size wire needs by wattage. amperage must be used. 12 gauge wire for short runs and not bundled in a thick wiring harness (for heat dissipation) is good for 50 amps. for a higher output alternator i wouldn't use anything less than 10, or to be safe 8 gauge. remember, as the wire size decreases, its resistance increases. that causes the voltage drop over the length of the wire to increase, which reduces the voltage at the load, and also heats the wire, which in turn will increase the resistance even more.
jeff
jeff
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
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From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
As I remember, they were on Caddys from 93 and newer. There were tons of these beasts at the yard I go to - I think they were DeVilles? I was able to be very selective because there were so many. Anyway, you can tell them by the shape of their fan and pulley. The pulley is about an 8-rib serpentine type, and the fan is black plastic. Check out my link above so you can see what they look like. If you brush off the crud, you should also see the amperage value engraved into the case - like 140A. Make sure you check that before you buy it.