Alternator Upgrade
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Alternator Upgrade
Hi Guys,
I will be adding electric fans, big amp sound system, ( will be removing stock AM/FM stereo,) (1972), and future electronics, and was hoping for direction on alternator upgrades others have made and what additional mods if any were required.
Thanks much.
Dave
I will be adding electric fans, big amp sound system, ( will be removing stock AM/FM stereo,) (1972), and future electronics, and was hoping for direction on alternator upgrades others have made and what additional mods if any were required.
Thanks much.
Dave
#2
Le Mans Master
Member Since: May 2003
Location: Fernandina Beach FL
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The wiring...originally these cars were not designed to handle big current draw items. I'd also look at replacing the ammeter with a voltmeter- as upgrading the wiring will make the original meter not read correctly.
Richard
Richard
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platinummaker (09-25-2018)
#3
Drifting
I recently upgraded my '68 to a CS144 alternator out of a 1993 Cadillac. I had to modify the mounting bracket by adding roughly 1in to it. Also added lots of upgraded wiring like Richard mentioned.
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platinummaker (09-25-2018)
#4
Racer
I knew I was going to electric fans and different stereo so I upgraded to 100 Amp alternator and went to 4 gauge wiring (instead of original 12 gauge) from alternator to battery (both hot & ground).
Richard
Richard
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platinummaker (09-25-2018)
#5
Safety Car
I upgraded my '69 to a Powermaster CS130 style 140 amp alternator. It fit exactly as stock, and a wiring adapter fits it to your stock wiring. I added a wire upgrade from the alt. to the starter (if I remember correctly). I also exchanged my ammeter for a voltmeter, since the ammeter read incorrectly after I installed the electric fan.
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platinummaker (09-25-2018)
#6
Team Owner
This has been asked and answered MANY times in just the last few months. Use the SEARCH function to pull up all the past info on this issue. No reason for folks to just keep duplicating the info over and over again.
#7
Race Director
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Location: North of Toronto - Ontario
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CS-144 install on a 72 BB with wiring changes. Also replaced amp with volt gauge
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...des-72-bb.html
Moved to the other side since then for various reasons
M
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...des-72-bb.html
Moved to the other side since then for various reasons
M
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platinummaker (09-25-2018)
#8
Racer
Thread Starter
So Sorry to offend you. I am amazed how snarky and rude some people are when hiding behind their keyboard. It's too bad we aren't closer so I can provide you a crash course in public relations that you clearly deserve
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carriljc (12-02-2018)
#9
Racer
Thread Starter
I upgraded my '69 to a Powermaster CS130 style 140 amp alternator. It fit exactly as stock, and a wiring adapter fits it to your stock wiring. I added a wire upgrade from the alt. to the starter (if I remember correctly). I also exchanged my ammeter for a voltmeter, since the ammeter read incorrectly after I installed the electric fan.
Thanks much .At the risk of agitating 7T1Vvette, may I ask you what you did with the wiring to the ammeter when you upgraded the alternator? Thanks again
#10
Le Mans Master
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Just disconnect the ammeter wire ( IIRC black w/ white stripe)- and zip tie to secure.
As far as the Voltmeter- use pink wire for the 12v source- used on fuel and water temp gauges- then the meter will ground itself to the metal cluster. So really one wire hook-up.
Here's a nice clean way to do it-
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platinummaker (09-26-2018)
#11
Safety Car
As Richard says, remove the amp gauge wire, tape it aside. Jumper a +12 volt wire from the fuel gauge to the pos terminal of the voltmeter. The ground connection is made when the console is bolted back up.
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platinummaker (09-26-2018)
#12
Melting Slicks
I upgraded my '69 to a Powermaster CS130 style 140 amp alternator. It fit exactly as stock, and a wiring adapter fits it to your stock wiring. I added a wire upgrade from the alt. to the starter (if I remember correctly). I also exchanged my ammeter for a voltmeter, since the ammeter read incorrectly after I installed the electric fan.
#13
Le Mans Master
I went PowerMaster 140 amp alternator with the heavy duty Alan Grove brackets. 0 gauge wire to the battery and the starter from the alternator. I have dual fans, a big stereo, and lots of electrical add ons.
#15
Le Mans Master
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I got mine from here- http://www.corvetteinstrumentservice.com/index.html
Now there are several other that have them -
Full throttle- http://www.fullthrottlecorvette.com/...rs_p_2980.html
Now there are several other that have them -
Full throttle- http://www.fullthrottlecorvette.com/...rs_p_2980.html
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terrys6t8roadster (09-27-2018)
#17
Team Owner
platinummaker:
You can call it 'snarky'... I call it efficient. I'm actually trying to HELP you but you just don't know it. Rather than spending a week or more to slowly let folks add pieces to this puzzle on your thread, you could have gone to the SEARCH function and read everything you will be gathering and MUCH MORE in less than a day!
But, if you want to be an *** about it, go ahead...
You can call it 'snarky'... I call it efficient. I'm actually trying to HELP you but you just don't know it. Rather than spending a week or more to slowly let folks add pieces to this puzzle on your thread, you could have gone to the SEARCH function and read everything you will be gathering and MUCH MORE in less than a day!
But, if you want to be an *** about it, go ahead...
#18
Safety Car
Zip Corvette.....(they also have '72-'74 gauges).....https://www.zip-corvette.com/68-71-v...gine-swap.html
https://www.zip-corvette.com/72-74-v...gine-swap.html
https://www.zip-corvette.com/72-74-v...gine-swap.html
Last edited by C3 Stroker; 09-26-2018 at 03:58 PM.
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terrys6t8roadster (09-27-2018)
#19
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Mine came from CC (p/n 393208) I believe all the major vendors have them now
Couple of years now with no issues
M
Couple of years now with no issues
M