C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Alternator Grenade

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 21, 2012 | 07:59 AM
  #21  
MIKE80's Avatar
MIKE80
Thread Starter
Drifting
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN
Default

Originally Posted by Mark Riles
If I remember correctly the F-body brackets will accept either a CS130 or a CS144. I don't have a way to double check right now but if your friend has one then maybe just try it.
The guy I work with keeps forgetting to bring it in, but when I get it I'll give it a try. My concern is the large valve covers that I have on the engine. There is barely any room behind the CS130. My brother has another old CS130 to hold me over until I find something better.
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2012 | 08:02 AM
  #22  
bashcraft's Avatar
bashcraft
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,506
Likes: 139
From: Butler Pa
Default

Did you measure the pulleys?
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2012 | 08:26 AM
  #23  
gkull's Avatar
gkull
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Default

Originally Posted by MIKE80
My brother built it and said it's good for 8000 rpm, but with my current intake and exhaust, I'm not sure if it goes all the way to 8000. My tach only goes to 7000 and it easily pins it. Engine:

Block .040 over to 385 Stroker
Scat nodular crank 3.75" stroke
Keith Black Hypereutectic pistons
I would probably install a milder cam and sell the motor while it is still running because of these two items.

KB Hyper pistons are feet per second limited. (stroke length X RPM)

KB's are intended for lower rpm 350 ci. Your longer stroke 385 will exceed their design limits at an even lower rpm. If you don't believe me call them up.
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2012 | 10:02 AM
  #24  
MIKE80's Avatar
MIKE80
Thread Starter
Drifting
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN
Default

Originally Posted by bashcraft
Did you measure the pulleys?
Haven't had a chance yet. Hopefully tonight I can.
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2012 | 10:07 AM
  #25  
MIKE80's Avatar
MIKE80
Thread Starter
Drifting
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN
Default

Originally Posted by gkull
I would probably install a milder cam and sell the motor while it is still running because of these two items.

KB Hyper pistons are feet per second limited. (stroke length X RPM)

KB's are intended for lower rpm 350 ci. Your longer stroke 385 will exceed their design limits at an even lower rpm. If you don't believe me call them up.
I'll look into it and let you know what they say.
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2012 | 10:26 AM
  #26  
mrvette's Avatar
mrvette
Team Owner
Active Streak: 120 Days
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Default

Altering the output capabilities of an alternator will have nearly zero affect on the RPM limits of the unit, totally separate issue.....

if anything, you maybe want a larger alt pulley , typically they are 2" so maybe 2.5 inch would help on that high RPM stuff, maybe even 3"

then you will have output troubles at lower RPM/idle will have to be closer to 1000 rpm in order to charge,

Reply
Old Mar 21, 2012 | 10:36 AM
  #27  
bashcraft's Avatar
bashcraft
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,506
Likes: 139
From: Butler Pa
Default

My guess is that the alternator was somehow damaged to begin with. There are many people running high rpm motors and never have problems like this.
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2012 | 11:04 AM
  #28  
brando1118's Avatar
brando1118
Pro
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 650
Likes: 1
Default

Mike80,
After looking at the photos of your engine, really nice motor btw, and seeing the small pulley on your alternator I'm convinced that your alternator failed from rpm and not heat. I feel fortunate that you started this thread because I have the same alternator and pulley as you do in your photo and the solid roller motor I just purchased will also tickle the 8000rpm limit. I never even considered an alternator failure like this one and now you can guarantee I will be adding a larger pulley to mine. I put the small pulley on when I had my last motor to keep the alternator spinning at idle to support Dewitt's fans, stereo, etc. Now with fuel injection I'm hoping that my idle will be a little more manageable. Good luck with the alternator replacement.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Mar 21, 2012 | 07:51 PM
  #29  
MIKE80's Avatar
MIKE80
Thread Starter
Drifting
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN
Default

Originally Posted by bashcraft
Did you measure the pulleys?
Kinda hard to see, but March crank pulley looks like 5.25" and March alt pulley 1.75". Also checked stock alt pulley 2.25".
Reply
Old Mar 22, 2012 | 06:57 AM
  #30  
bashcraft's Avatar
bashcraft
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,506
Likes: 139
From: Butler Pa
Default

Originally Posted by MIKE80
Kinda hard to see, but March crank pulley looks like 5.25" and March alt pulley 1.75".
That puts it at 3-1 which I believe is what the stock pulleys are.
Reply
Old Mar 22, 2012 | 12:53 PM
  #31  
MIKE80's Avatar
MIKE80
Thread Starter
Drifting
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN
Default

Originally Posted by gkull
I would probably install a milder cam and sell the motor while it is still running because of these two items.

KB Hyper pistons are feet per second limited. (stroke length X RPM)

KB's are intended for lower rpm 350 ci. Your longer stroke 385 will exceed their design limits at an even lower rpm. If you don't believe me call them up.
I spoke to Marco from KB Pistons and he said that he didn't know where you got that information, but they use those pistons in many 383 engines with no issues, many have several thousand miles on them. He said if I had valve failure and something came into contact with the piston, it would shatter. He said I could switch to forged pistons, if I plan on spending a lot of time at the track, but they wear faster and do not last as long for street use which is my main use.
Reply
Old Mar 22, 2012 | 01:13 PM
  #32  
45ACP's Avatar
45ACP
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 6
Default

Originally Posted by MIKE80
Kinda hard to see, but March crank pulley looks like 5.25" and March alt pulley 1.75". Also checked stock alt pulley 2.25".
If you are really hitting 8000 rpm then you are driving the alt at 133% of its redline. If it were me, I'd keep the crank revs down at 6000 until I came up with a solution for slowing down at least the alt.

The other accessories are vulnerable to over-speeding, too, so don't be surprised if there are more problems down the road.

Last edited by 45ACP; Mar 22, 2012 at 01:21 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 22, 2012 | 02:30 PM
  #33  
Shark Racer's Avatar
Shark Racer
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Default

Originally Posted by MIKE80
I spoke to Marco from KB Pistons and he said that he didn't know where you got that information, but they use those pistons in many 383 engines with no issues, many have several thousand miles on them. He said if I had valve failure and something came into contact with the piston, it would shatter. He said I could switch to forged pistons, if I plan on spending a lot of time at the track, but they wear faster and do not last as long for street use which is my main use.
Did you mention to him that you were revving the pistons up to 8000 RPM in the conversation, or just that you had them installed in a 383? Very different conversations...
Reply
Old Mar 22, 2012 | 02:41 PM
  #34  
BKbroiler's Avatar
BKbroiler
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 787
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
Default

When you describe the crank as "nodular" I assume you mean nodular iron. If that's the case, with a hydraulic lifter cam, hypereutectic pistons and an iron crankshaft, I think you'll be pressing your luck revving to 8,000 rpm.
Reply
Old Mar 22, 2012 | 02:50 PM
  #35  
bashcraft's Avatar
bashcraft
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,506
Likes: 139
From: Butler Pa
Default

Originally Posted by MIKE80
My tach only goes to 7000 and it easily pins it.

Lunati Bracket Master II hydraulic cam, 300 degree advertised duration, 246 degrees at .050 lift, 108 degree lobe separation, .515 lift
Last I heard hydraulic cams were only good for maybe 6500 rpm.
Reply
Old Mar 22, 2012 | 03:27 PM
  #36  
MIKE80's Avatar
MIKE80
Thread Starter
Drifting
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN
Default

Originally Posted by Shark Racer
Did you mention to him that you were revving the pistons up to 8000 RPM in the conversation, or just that you had them installed in a 383? Very different conversations...
Yeah, he suggested getting it dynoed and find the power curve. I may not need the higher rpm's. He was more concerned that if the valvetrain failed because of higher rpm it would hit the piston and shatter it. That's why he said if I planned on doing a lot of racing to switch to forged which would dent, not shatter and a solid or roller cam. Right now my focus is getting another alternator back in and getting the 6 speed installed. As I said earlier, tach stops at 7000 and I don't think I'm hitting 8000 with my current intake and exhaust, plus I feel that I'm shifting without maxxing it out. And, it's not something I do all the time. I hope to dyno it later.

Gkull said "Your longer stroke 385 will exceed their design limits at an even lower rpm." So, I just wanted find out from them if I should be concerned.

Last edited by MIKE80; Mar 22, 2012 at 03:30 PM.
Reply




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:48 PM.

story-0
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-1
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-2
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE