best replacement alternator
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Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Idaho
best replacement alternator
I think my stock one is on its way out (8 years old/1998 vette). The stock from fred beans is almost $300 shipped. I have seen some aftermarket billet alternators for less. Any links/recmmendations for which one I should buy. Buy the way, I don't need a high powered alternator because I don't ever plan to run a system in the car, no amps, subs, etc. just all the stock factory equipment.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Edmond Ok
Have you had the old one tested? Most part stores can test for free.
I don't know of a different or better supplier however. You may try a parts store like NAPA, AutoZone or the likes. If it is a special built alternator then a delco distributor may be your only hope except for a dealership.
After I wrote above I checked with AutoZone here in Ok. I use them a lot and I got to know the some of the counter guys. They said you should go to a dealer for a new alternator. Like ET says, a wrong one could fry other parts.
I don't know of a different or better supplier however. You may try a parts store like NAPA, AutoZone or the likes. If it is a special built alternator then a delco distributor may be your only hope except for a dealership.
After I wrote above I checked with AutoZone here in Ok. I use them a lot and I got to know the some of the counter guys. They said you should go to a dealer for a new alternator. Like ET says, a wrong one could fry other parts.
Last edited by djengr; May 3, 2006 at 09:38 PM.
Team Owner
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From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
I have seen the horror stories of people getting the wrong alternator for a C5... You car is very unique in that it communicates directly with your PCM.... many people have had issues with aftermarket alternators, many parts stores have alternators that one size fits all.....
AS far as best price.. Gene Culley @ Fred beans has the best prices and service.. and you get to tsalk to a real person...
You need and alternator that specifiacally is for your car....and no others. No Camaro alternatior, no Buick alternator...even though they are GM products.
AS far as best price.. Gene Culley @ Fred beans has the best prices and service.. and you get to tsalk to a real person...
You need and alternator that specifiacally is for your car....and no others. No Camaro alternatior, no Buick alternator...even though they are GM products.
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,607
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From: San Francisco CA
Originally Posted by Evil-Twin
I have seen the horror stories of people getting the wrong alternator for a C5... You car is very unique in that it communicates directly with your PCM.... many people have had issues with aftermarket alternators, many parts stores have alternators that one size fits all.....
AS far as best price.. Gene Culley @ Fred beans has the best prices and service.. and you get to tsalk to a real person...
You need and alternator that specifiacally is for your car....and no others. No Camaro alternatior, no Buick alternator...even though they are GM products.
AS far as best price.. Gene Culley @ Fred beans has the best prices and service.. and you get to tsalk to a real person...
You need and alternator that specifiacally is for your car....and no others. No Camaro alternatior, no Buick alternator...even though they are GM products.
The problem is that they are hard to find. Your PCM is happy with a 110 amp alternator but GM changed to a 145 amp alternator around '02, I believe, including their rebuilt ones as well. Most aftermarket outfits followed GM's lead and sell only 145 amp alternators
I believe GM offers a PCM reflash to keep the PCM content but of course it will cost you. Rock Auto www.rockauto.com offers a Beck/Arnley #1866296 and a World Wide #13381 alternator which are 110 amp. Both are priced under $300 including the $80-90 core charge.
Team Owner
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From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
You are much better finding a place that will rebuild what you have...there are some internal switches for load and duty cycle and percentage of demand, that communicate with the PCM, if these switches arnt recognized you will get a charging system fault code...
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From: Idaho
Originally Posted by Evil-Twin
You are much better finding a place that will rebuild what you have...there are some internal switches for load and duty cycle and percentage of demand, that communicate with the PCM, if these switches arnt recognized you will get a charging system fault code...
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18- '19
Alternator
Originally Posted by SFVetteman
The problem is that they are hard to find. Your PCM is happy with a 110 amp alternator but GM changed to a 145 amp alternator around '02, I believe, including their rebuilt ones as well. Most aftermarket outfits followed GM's lead and sell only 145 amp alternatorsI believe GM offers a PCM reflash to keep the PCM content but of course it will cost you. Rock Auto www.rockauto.com offers a Beck/Arnley #1866296 and a World Wide #13381 alternator which are 110 amp. Both are priced under $300 including the $80-90 core charge.
