logic
20+ Year Contributor
- 921
- 35
- Jun 11, 2002
-
Berkeley,
California
Hi,
Having successfully done something stupid to my alternator (don't ask), I'm researching the possible alternator options for late 2g turbo DSMs (direct fit, or close to it; I don't have the necessary tools to fabricate a custom mount for an alternator for another application). Corrections to the following are welcome; I'll try and detail what I've found so far for 1g and 2g applications, both turbo and non-turbo.
So far, I've found out that the GVR-4 and Canadian DSM models all came with a 90A alternator, which is apparently a direct swap for a typical 75A 1g alternator. I've also found out that 1g and 2g alternators are not interchangable, due to wiring and internal design differences.
Just about every parts store (NAPA, etc) seems to carry a line of remanufactured alternators at the stock (75A) output for cheap, occasionally with a lifetime warranty. From most reports, the lifetime warranty is important: they tend to have an extremely high failure rate.
OEM replacements from Mitsubishi can be pricy, but they seem to be generally regarded as bulletproof, or at least better than the average remanufactured/rebuilt stuff. Mitsubishi also offers the individual components needed to rebuild your existing alternator, if you have the time and the tools.
I came across AlterStart, who sell a higher-output (135-amp) alternator for all 1g cars, and a similar one for non-turbo 4g63s.
A little further searching revealed that a lot of people stock non-turbo 2.0L 2g alternators (for example, NOPI carries a very nice 160A Bosch alternator for non-turbo applications). I assumed they would have been the same; from the pictures I've been able to see online, they sure look like mine.
So, this leads to a few questions:
Having successfully done something stupid to my alternator (don't ask), I'm researching the possible alternator options for late 2g turbo DSMs (direct fit, or close to it; I don't have the necessary tools to fabricate a custom mount for an alternator for another application). Corrections to the following are welcome; I'll try and detail what I've found so far for 1g and 2g applications, both turbo and non-turbo.
So far, I've found out that the GVR-4 and Canadian DSM models all came with a 90A alternator, which is apparently a direct swap for a typical 75A 1g alternator. I've also found out that 1g and 2g alternators are not interchangable, due to wiring and internal design differences.
Just about every parts store (NAPA, etc) seems to carry a line of remanufactured alternators at the stock (75A) output for cheap, occasionally with a lifetime warranty. From most reports, the lifetime warranty is important: they tend to have an extremely high failure rate.
OEM replacements from Mitsubishi can be pricy, but they seem to be generally regarded as bulletproof, or at least better than the average remanufactured/rebuilt stuff. Mitsubishi also offers the individual components needed to rebuild your existing alternator, if you have the time and the tools.
I came across AlterStart, who sell a higher-output (135-amp) alternator for all 1g cars, and a similar one for non-turbo 4g63s.
A little further searching revealed that a lot of people stock non-turbo 2.0L 2g alternators (for example, NOPI carries a very nice 160A Bosch alternator for non-turbo applications). I assumed they would have been the same; from the pictures I've been able to see online, they sure look like mine.
So, this leads to a few questions:
- What are most folks with turbo 2g DSMs doing for aftermarket alternators, preferably with higher maximum output levels?
- Can anyone explain the incompatibility between the non-turbo and turbo 2g 4g63 alternators?
- Am I stuck with the stock alternator, because only the non-turbo folks are putting massive audio/visual systems in their cars?
