Upgrading alternator...
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 60
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From: Stockton CA
Upgrading alternator...
Does anybody have feedback with the DB Electrical alternator offering? I'm looking to upgrade due to stereo system upgrade. Any input would be really appreciated. I'm also open to any other source recommendations.
Link to DB Electrical Alternator...
Cheers and ride safe!
Link to DB Electrical Alternator...
Cheers and ride safe!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,931
Likes: 127
From: Ashland Alabama
You didn't list what year your car is so I don't know what alternator you have already. But I upgraded my 1987's alternator using the alternator off my 1997 firebird's lt1. Works GREAT.
First time Ive ever owned or seen an early model c4 that will charge at idle with all accessories on wide open.
First time Ive ever owned or seen an early model c4 that will charge at idle with all accessories on wide open.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,366
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Does anybody have feedback with the DB Electrical alternator offering? I'm looking to upgrade due to stereo system upgrade. Any input would be really appreciated. I'm also open to any other source recommendations.
Link to DB Electrical Alternator...
Cheers and ride safe!
Link to DB Electrical Alternator...
Cheers and ride safe!
It looks to me they're a "reseller". Look at their disclaimer about shipping from a warehouse in many locations, California being one. I'd ask lots of questions but what they say and then their shipping disclaimer seems contradictory.
Do a forum search for CS144 in the C4 section and do some reads. "crowz" has mentioned his and their's likely a 1000+ that have done similar. I'd think you can do as good as, or maybe better than for less. For that price I'd think "much better" product.
Last edited by WVZR-1; Dec 27, 2015 at 03:32 AM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Stockton CA
Thank you gentlemen. I'll do more search and research on the CS144 model. I'm just glad the it's an easy swap out. My last car had a mid-engine and the alternator was a pain to replace for a over 250 pound club member.
Cheers and ride safe!
Cheers and ride safe!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,931
Likes: 127
From: Ashland Alabama
The cs144 swap just requires a bit of grinding on the alternators tab that inserts into the corvettes mounting bracket to get it on the car.
The tricky part if any is getting a new brace made that goes from the back of the alternator to the head. The current brace wont line up after the swap.
The tricky part if any is getting a new brace made that goes from the back of the alternator to the head. The current brace wont line up after the swap.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Stockton CA
crowz,
Thank you for the detailed photo response. Based on the mount mods required I'm going to continue to look for a "drop in" solution. I'm currently researching this manufacturer/model along with any others my search finds.
Powermaster Alternator
Cheers and ride safe!
Thank you for the detailed photo response. Based on the mount mods required I'm going to continue to look for a "drop in" solution. I'm currently researching this manufacturer/model along with any others my search finds.
Powermaster Alternator
Cheers and ride safe!
The cs144 swap just requires a bit of grinding on the alternators tab that inserts into the corvettes mounting bracket to get it on the car.
The tricky part if any is getting a new brace made that goes from the back of the alternator to the head. The current brace wont line up after the swap.
The tricky part if any is getting a new brace made that goes from the back of the alternator to the head. The current brace wont line up after the swap.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,422
Likes: 202
I would use aluminum bar stock. Easily malleable. Then drill to your specific requirement.
Looks better!!! save a LIL weight. Plus you did yourself!!!! I made my own Accessory to Header bolt support bracket. On my LT1. Also reverse from This posted upgrade. I replaced the LT1 CS-144 to a Power Master CS130 to allow clearance from the HSR intake. UP-grade.
Looks better!!! save a LIL weight. Plus you did yourself!!!! I made my own Accessory to Header bolt support bracket. On my LT1. Also reverse from This posted upgrade. I replaced the LT1 CS-144 to a Power Master CS130 to allow clearance from the HSR intake. UP-grade.
Last edited by THE 383 admiral; Dec 27, 2015 at 08:36 PM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,931
Likes: 127
From: Ashland Alabama
The cs144 has higher output at idle either stock or even from power master.
It also dissipates heat better. Far superior alternator over the cs130.
If you going to spend money to get a power master alternator get the superior cs144. Id rather mod the mount and have the better alternator.
Corvettes have a nice history of eating alternators. This seems to be a good solution to me since I haven't had any problems with it compared to all the cs130's I went thru on my last vette. I had even tried db electric and power master on the last vette. Got really old swapping alternators. This time around I decided to try something different. Glad I did.
It also dissipates heat better. Far superior alternator over the cs130.
If you going to spend money to get a power master alternator get the superior cs144. Id rather mod the mount and have the better alternator.
Corvettes have a nice history of eating alternators. This seems to be a good solution to me since I haven't had any problems with it compared to all the cs130's I went thru on my last vette. I had even tried db electric and power master on the last vette. Got really old swapping alternators. This time around I decided to try something different. Glad I did.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 60
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From: Stockton CA
Good afternoon crowz,
After reading your suggestion and researching the internet I now want to go through the route you originally suggested. I'm ready to order or pickup locally if available.
Question:
- Do I order an alternator 1994-1996 LT1 GM Part Number: 19135994?
- Only purchase only GM original? I don't want to get an Autozone off brand and not work or fit properly
- Would a metal file be enough to grind down the bracket?
Thanks for all the help!
After reading your suggestion and researching the internet I now want to go through the route you originally suggested. I'm ready to order or pickup locally if available.
Question:
- Do I order an alternator 1994-1996 LT1 GM Part Number: 19135994?
- Only purchase only GM original? I don't want to get an Autozone off brand and not work or fit properly
- Would a metal file be enough to grind down the bracket?
Thanks for all the help!
The cs144 has higher output at idle either stock or even from power master.
It also dissipates heat better. Far superior alternator over the cs130.
If you going to spend money to get a power master alternator get the superior cs144. Id rather mod the mount and have the better alternator.
Corvettes have a nice history of eating alternators. This seems to be a good solution to me since I haven't had any problems with it compared to all the cs130's I went thru on my last vette. I had even tried db electric and power master on the last vette. Got really old swapping alternators. This time around I decided to try something different. Glad I did.
It also dissipates heat better. Far superior alternator over the cs130.
If you going to spend money to get a power master alternator get the superior cs144. Id rather mod the mount and have the better alternator.
Corvettes have a nice history of eating alternators. This seems to be a good solution to me since I haven't had any problems with it compared to all the cs130's I went thru on my last vette. I had even tried db electric and power master on the last vette. Got really old swapping alternators. This time around I decided to try something different. Glad I did.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,366
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"GKK" did his he mentions with an LT5/ZR-1 CS144 and mentioned no problems except adding a short brace which he has in a snapshot. You might contact him and ask. I believe I've seen others mention using the LT5 also. I'd try the later '95 LT5 for fit first as there are early and late versions. Ask GKK if he needed to do any modifications other than adding the brace. "GKK" has/had a '91 but I believe brackets are the same as '89. I'll look.
His post:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1584211485
"crowz" I believe used a JY search for a possible fit and used what he could put his hands on.
There are ZR-1 owners in your vicinity and maybe one would have a spare on the shelf that you could compare. Maybe someone has a core that only needs a rebuild, that would be better than an AP rebuild for sure.
Do you know anyone at the Auto Zone that might order one for you to check? I wouldn't rush into it.
His post:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1584211485
"crowz" I believe used a JY search for a possible fit and used what he could put his hands on.
There are ZR-1 owners in your vicinity and maybe one would have a spare on the shelf that you could compare. Maybe someone has a core that only needs a rebuild, that would be better than an AP rebuild for sure.
Do you know anyone at the Auto Zone that might order one for you to check? I wouldn't rush into it.
Last edited by WVZR-1; Jan 1, 2016 at 06:47 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,931
Likes: 127
From: Ashland Alabama
The alternator I used is from a 1997 Pontiac formula firebird with 5.7 lt1 and 6 speed manual.
I used a bench grinder but a hand file would work. I had to use the front pulley from the old alternator on the one I took off my firebird. Other than that it just bolted on and plugged in best I remember.
As for the brace, one of my customers is going to make me a custom billet brace. Once he does that he will have it in his machine and can turn out braces for all of use that want to switch. I have no clue what he will charge though. Also he will probably also make a replacement top brace eventually that will keep people from having to grind their alternators for the swap.
I'll post up here when I get mine and any info I get from him on prices etc when he gets done.
As far as I know of he will be the only source the braces out there.
I used a bench grinder but a hand file would work. I had to use the front pulley from the old alternator on the one I took off my firebird. Other than that it just bolted on and plugged in best I remember.
As for the brace, one of my customers is going to make me a custom billet brace. Once he does that he will have it in his machine and can turn out braces for all of use that want to switch. I have no clue what he will charge though. Also he will probably also make a replacement top brace eventually that will keep people from having to grind their alternators for the swap.
I'll post up here when I get mine and any info I get from him on prices etc when he gets done.
As far as I know of he will be the only source the braces out there.