Alternator upgrade really necessary ..??
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Shalimar Florida
Alternator upgrade really necessary ..??
I just recently purchased a 07 c6 from a man that really didn't appreciate the car, got a great deal but at the same time needs some work, long story short I'm going to upgrade on everything in the car, taking old replacing with the new and making it my own... the alternator is stock right now but I want to upgrade it to the vette 6 phase billet (polished black) alternator sold on the forum store.. If i do so, do I have to go to a higher wire gauge and is the upgrade really necessary?? Just looking for A clean and more uniformed look for the engine and a little more rpm .... Any suggestion and is the upgrade necessary ?
Really appreciate it!
Really appreciate it!
Last edited by thunderkat; Dec 16, 2013 at 12:04 AM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Shalimar Florida
Moderator emeritus
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 18,599
Likes: 3,954
From: Jacksonville Florida BWO Dayton, Cincinnati, Bloomsbury NJ, Cincinnati
2015 C7 of the Year Finalist
I upgraded out of necessity. The OEM just wouldn't put out enough to satisfy the system. The ONLY electrical mods I've done is to add a version of M2W and an aftermarket radio. NEITHER of which adds additional load to the system but my stupid system won't run on the OEM unit.
I purchased one from the sponsor, Bret Bradbury. Mine chromed but he also sells the black that you are talking about. I got the 170A and no wiring changes required. My voltage is sitting at 14.5 now as it was meant to be. Before the new alternator, I was dipping to 11v at idle and my DIC was yelling at me.
Here is my source: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...y-is-here.html
Elmer
I purchased one from the sponsor, Bret Bradbury. Mine chromed but he also sells the black that you are talking about. I got the 170A and no wiring changes required. My voltage is sitting at 14.5 now as it was meant to be. Before the new alternator, I was dipping to 11v at idle and my DIC was yelling at me.
Here is my source: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...y-is-here.html
Elmer
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 462
From: Southern Utah
The job of the alternator is very simple...it is to keep the system voltage at 13.2 to 14.5 or so when the car is running. If it is unable to do this, as with Elmer, above, then an aftermarket unit is a good idea. But if it does keep the voltage up, then more alternator does nothing but look nice in the engine compartment. It's a little like octane rating...a higher rating is good until it is high enough to stop the engine from knocking. Once the knocking stops, more octane does nothing. Once the voltage is up there, more alternator capacity does nothing.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 14,475
Likes: 785
From: Las Vegas NV
I upgraded out of necessity. The OEM just wouldn't put out enough to satisfy the system. The ONLY electrical mods I've done is to add a version of M2W and an aftermarket radio. NEITHER of which adds additional load to the system but my stupid system won't run on the OEM unit.
I purchased one from the sponsor, Bret Bradbury. Mine chromed but he also sells the black that you are talking about. I got the 170A and no wiring changes required. My voltage is sitting at 14.5 now as it was meant to be. Before the new alternator, I was dipping to 11v at idle and my DIC was yelling at me.
Here is my source: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...y-is-here.html
Elmer
I purchased one from the sponsor, Bret Bradbury. Mine chromed but he also sells the black that you are talking about. I got the 170A and no wiring changes required. My voltage is sitting at 14.5 now as it was meant to be. Before the new alternator, I was dipping to 11v at idle and my DIC was yelling at me.
Here is my source: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...y-is-here.html
Elmer
Mine was bouncing from mid 11's to mid 13's at idle. I got a Service Charging System alert one time only. I got that same 170A alternator and I'm at 14.5 as well. IMO the factory alternator is bare minimum to be able to keep up with the demand.
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
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I just recently purchased a 07 c6 from a man that really didn't appreciate the car, got a great deal but at the same time needs some work, long story short I'm going to upgrade on everything in the car, taking old replacing with the new and making it my own... the alternator is stock right now but I want to upgrade it to the vette 6 phase billet (polished black) alternator sold on the forum store.. If i do so, do I have to go to a higher wire gauge and is the upgrade really necessary?? Just looking for A clean and more uniformed look for the engine and a little more rpm .... Any suggestion and is the upgrade necessary ?
Really appreciate it!
Really appreciate it!
Back to the subject of "the alternator is stock right now but I want to upgrade it to the vette 6 phase billet (polished black) alternator sold on the forum store.. If i do so, do I have to go to a higher wire gauge and is the upgrade really necessary??"
FWIW. I did the Big 3 with the OEM, then one additional to make it a Big 4 after the 170A:
With this alternator, the back can be clocked to have all wires hidden on the bottom. I choose to run all the wires on top, so I can always have visual verification as well as not crowding wires at the bottom position - too close to hazards and such:
Bigger wires offers higher safety margin. All my other wiring support components are marine grade as well. But all that are my preference only and there is always someone out there, on an open forum, willing to throw in the monkey wrench, whether he knows anything or not!
Bottom line is: Its your car.
