C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Replacing Alternator to Battery Cable

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Old Mar 31, 2017 | 02:40 PM
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Default Replacing Alternator to Battery Cable

Hi everyone, i have a '91 Vette L98 engine and i want to ask if someone have replaced the positive cable that comes from the alternator to the battery (the one who charges the battery), recently i got the powermaster 140 amp alternator and a 6-gauge cable from summit racing, i really appreciate if someone could tell me how can i replace the stock cable to put the new one and upgrade the alternator.

Thank You.
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Old Apr 1, 2017 | 05:50 AM
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Being no one has said anything, I'll throw in a couple of thoughts. I've replaced a couple of cables in years past on other vehicles. The replacements had a pigtail for things like the alternator wire but it wasn't a full length wire. It had a crimp-on connector, you cut off your original alt wire and stripped it and crimped it on, though you could remove that and solder them together and use shrink on cover over the connection.

I'm not sure of the size of the alt to battery wire on your car, is it a lot smaller than what you got? Is the end where it hooks onto the alt different? If it's the same size but just a different connector, maybe just replace the connector on the alternator end of your existing wire?

Just some thoughts.
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Old Apr 1, 2017 | 09:05 AM
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I've done what you want to do but under a completely different set of circumstances on different vehicles, I was adding equipment to specialty vehicles and maybe considered extreme for just an upgrade of the alternator. I'd suggest you first maybe supply a link to the alternator that you've bought and let C4 guys comment on your purchase as well as the install. If you need to ask questions at this point maybe it's time to just rethink the whole deal.

You could visit the AUDIO section(here on the CF) or most any AUDIO upgrade forum maybe for ideas. It's not difficult and my thoughts would depend on the actual ST connection at the + battery terminal.

You might post a snapshot of your ST connection to the battery now. That would maybe dictate the "how you do it with what you've got"!

Last edited by WVZR-1; Apr 1, 2017 at 09:06 AM.
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Old Apr 1, 2017 | 09:09 AM
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Originally Posted by hcbph
I'm not sure of the size of the alt to battery wire on your car, is it a lot smaller than what you got? Is the end where it hooks onto the alt different? If it's the same size but just a different connector, maybe just replace the connector on the alternator end of your existing wire?

Just some thoughts.
My thought exactly.

I'm not a fan of re-wiring the electrical system for a larger alternator.... just because. You system is putting out more power, but to what end? Have you done something that requires more power than the stock alternator can provide?

If you begin to swap wires, splice, solder...etc the main power source, you potentially open yourself up for more gremlins down the road.

Also, if you have the extra power, your regulator will be working over time to "power down" the current so that your current systems wont get overloaded. So this asks the question, whats the point?

What have you done that requires more oooommmpf?
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Old Apr 1, 2017 | 10:07 AM
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Just run the new cable, it'll take the least path of resistance. I've been meaning to run another 10ga or 8ga on my car.
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