my alternator went out 3 years or so ago. i had it rebuilt at a local shop, and replaced the battery. the other day, it went out again, battery was fine. i bought a lkifetime warranty one at autozone because i needed the car the next day, but instead of getting my $30 back on the core, i kept it in hopes of building a beefier 140-160 amp alternator so that this will quit happening. i did a search and found the how to on the rebuild, but can't find any info on how to make it better than it was before. any tips?
thanks, steven

 

I dont think upgrading the output will keep it from failing. I also dont think you need that many amps unless you are running some big audio.

 

I got this link from the forum a couple of years ago: http://www.alternatorparts.com - though I recall a member trying one of the "iceberg" kits (or he bought it all ready assembled) and the alternator still bit the dust.

 

> i kept it in hopes of building a beefier 140-160 amp alternator

You are mistaken here. Bigger amp does absolutely not mean beefier alternator. It means that the alts output and thus heat generation is bigger. So if the alt type is prone (like CS-130) to selfdestruct by heat bigger amp alt only does it faster or more likely.

If you wish to upgrade your alt go with better design like CS-144. They also produce bigger amp output but their design is much more rugged and they can handle the heat.

The Iceberg -kit is a slight improvement over stock CS-130 but I am not impressed. Mine lasted only few months.

Take a look at the CF Tech Tips, there is an article I wrote about the upgrade.

Hope this helps.

ToniH

 

Here it is: http://www.mean-green.com/news/

Tom Piper

 

I replaced my stock alternator with the CS144 last year...no problemo's so far..seems like a lot of work for you when my 144 cost $160 and that was full retail !

 

$160? Is that the price of the CS144 Tom is referring to? What is the output of this Alt?

 

thanks for the insight guys. i just assumed that since it was failing so frequently, it was because the car was drawing more than it could produce. with the digital dash, a/c, power windows, computer, lights, stereo with 1 amp, that's alot of power to expect from 100 amps or so. maybe i'll just stick with the lifetime alt. and just keep replacing it. it's only a 15 min job anyway...

 

No, what you just listed is not a lot for 100 Amps. Remember that all those equipment only draw what they need in any one time. This means that they probably do not overstress the alt 99.5% of the time. It is simply overheating that kills the alts. There is not enough ventilation under the hood and the alt is poorly cooled by design.

Yes, it is only a 15min job but what if it happens at inconvenient time or place like 2AM in middle of nowhere? Could be a big pain in the...

Someone asked about CS-144 outputs: ZR-1 version 124Amps and LT-4? version 140Amps.

Here is the tech tip I was referring to (mine), there you see that it is very easy job: Link updated


[Modified by ToniH, 6:17 PM 9/10/2003]

 

Unfortunately, you don't get the full output at idle and the last time I saw a post where someone had hooked up a clamp on meter to the charge line, they got about 35 amps at 600 rpm with a 200 degree coolant temp. GM, obviously aware of the low alternator output at idle, issued a Service Bulletin across all model lines in '97 or so, instructing Dealerships to quit replacing alternators just because the headlights might dim at idle or because turn signal speed was slowing down. The Vette alternator has been problematic for most C4's and if you visit the NHTSA web site, it's been one of the more frequent complaints. Corvette Fever addressed the issue in December '96 and stated that their testing showed an average output of 85 amps at speed and that the problem was the proximity of the rectifier bridge to the exhaust header. They also noted that as the voltage dropped from the increased resistance, electrical noise went up which could falsely trigger the distributor module and that the ECM is programmed to pulse the injectors a little longer with reduced voltage leading to a richer mixture, both of which (among all the other things that happen with reduced output) can lead to a crappy idle. Their solution was to upgrade to a custom unit with a bigger case and larger heat sink with a rated output of 140 amps. As some other posts have noted, that's seems to be a better deal. For me, I quit counting alternators after the first dozen and keep a spare on my bench.

 

PS: You're a lawyer - don't you think this would be a great class action? Hmm, maybe 40 to 50 thousand Vette owners (considering total production) whom have probably replaced at least 1 alternator at an average retail (GM) of $175 to $235. Pretty impressive numbers.


[Modified by SunCr, 8:28 AM 9/10/2003]

 

The "Mean Green" alternator, that I posted a link to above, I think has about a 240 amp output with heavy duty components.
You can buy it at JCWhitney for around a couple of hundred.
I've never needed one for my '92 yet, but if I do it will probably be the "Mean Green."

Tom Piper

 

No, my CS144 is an AC/Delco unit...it is rated at 140 amps... :thumbs:

p.s. I just checked my receipts and I had it installed in July of last year and the alt. cost $199.00...sorry.. :bb


[Modified by Fuzzy Dice, 5:45 PM 9/10/2003]

 

3 years is not so bad for an alternator i guess. plus it gave me plenty of warning, i just ignored it.
as far as lawsuits go, i just do criminal defense. i hate civil law problems. :yesnod: