is it possible to use other car alternators?

[akira235]

I have some free time on my hands this summer and it seems to me as if i could do something productive. as we all know, the factory alternators on our cars are weak. at most 90 amps. the saturn alternators seem to all be between 96 and 105 amps, which, to me isn't worth the time involved. (nothing against people doing it, I'm just lazier than ya'll i guess) and if I'm going to do something time consuming I want to see some serious gain. so my idea here is to put an alternator of something else, (a luxury car probably) with an amperage of say, 115-135.

the point to my post is this, it seems to me that an alternator is a pretty simple device, in the case of ours, theres a signal wire, a 12v constant, and a charging terminal. (correct me if i'm wrong, but thats what wiring diagrams have lead me to believe)

so the only problem with putting a different alternator on would be the purpose of the terminals on a different alternator, as well as their size and design. also pulley type, but that could be fixed by finding an appropriate diameter pulley of the right type, which shouldn't be to difficult.

if this all seems plausible and if anyone is interested in this idea I would love some help with alternator suggestions or any other relevant information.

 

[brassc2007]

already been done dude sorry to burst your bubble

 

[akira235]

alright, who did it, what alternator, and how? its not bursting my bubble if its already been done, just saving me time and effort.

 

[synthetek]

alright, who did it, what alternator

There is the Saturn alternator which requires some modifications or the Galant alterantor thats a direct swap, do a search and you will find plenty of info on both.

 

[akira235]

the 5 speed cars with power options came with 90 amp alternators, the galant alternator is a 90 amp unit unless I'm missing something. and as I said in my original post, I don't want to invest time in the saturn swap for the minimal (15 amps at most) gain.

 

[FIBA M - EC17PSE]

There is the Saturn alternator which requires some modifications or the Galant alterantor thats a direct swap, do a search and you will find plenty of info on both.

The galant swap is direct but you must get the connector for it as its different on them you can get one from a scrap yard pigtail it to the excisting wires! Either that or go to alterstart and get the 165 amp and rewire it with 4 gauge and you will have a nice setup then! There are choices just depends on yout time budget.

 

[akira235]

while i appreciate the effort, is anyone reading my original post? i didn't ask for brands of high output alternators, I don't trust them. I didn't ask for info on the saturn swap, in fact I specifically said i wasn't interested in that. and I also didn't ask for information regarding a swap that will yield absolutely NO amperage gain. the galant uses a 90 amp alternator, which is the same amperage as Alternator by Worldwide - Part 14877 - Advance Auto Parts

 

[synthetek]

I also didn't ask for information regarding a swap that will yield absolutely NO amperage gain. the galant uses a 90 amp alternator, which is the same amperage as Alternator by Worldwide - Part 14877 - Advance Auto Parts

The OEM alternator on a 1g is 65-75 amp (In Canada they had 90 amp) on a 2g its 75 amp. The galant DOES have amperage gain and the Saturn an even greater one, if you try to go much higher you will have to upgrade other parts of the electrical system to handle it. The one in your link is not OEM thats why its 90 amp.

 

[knochgoon24]

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/articles-electrical-wiring/272646-saturn-alternator-swap.html

and then...

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/cus...tant-improvements-saturn-alternator-swap.html

I ran a Saturn Alternator on my car for a little while, but then I got a killer deal on a low mileage 140 amp alternator.

 

[turboglenn]

chevy CS alternator in the right case (the case has been mentioned) is great, but you MUST wire thee source voltage wire correctly ( i wrote a big thread on doing just this) mine is 140 amps, i got the CS alt pictail at O'reilly's and i've had mine in for well over a year and run so manmy electronics it's not even funny and can still have all my accessories on at idle with a power inverter and my lights and radio running and have over 12 volts, which picks up ton 13.8 - 14.2 when cruising, pulley fits fine.

like any other mod it takes a little grinding on the alt to make it fit but it's almost a drop in to be honest.

 

[akira235]

synthetec- 90 model talons with power options (windows, locks blah blah blah) came with oem 90 amp alternators.

glenn- was the 140amp an oem unit? thats my purpose here, to find a high amperage oem (even if from a different manufacturer) alternator to put in.

 

[turboglenn]

synthetec- 90 model talons with power options (windows, locks blah blah blah) came with oem 90 amp alternators.

glenn- was the 140amp an oem unit? thats my purpose here, to find a high amperage oem (even if from a different manufacturer) alternator to put in.

No, it's basically the same body as the saturn unit but for a different application that has higher amperage, a little grinder work and some wiring was all that was needed, even got the pigtail for it at the same store though..the swap is Soooo easy there's no reason to go any other way IMHO

 

[akira235]

where did you buy it? part number? all that shows up in advance/napa is the 105 amp alternators from what i see, i've got no problem with auto parts store alternators, especially re-manufactured ones (gotta love getting a free new alternator every 6 months.)

 

[Black95TSIawd]

The amperage setting for our alternators is not the problem. The regulator within the alternator is. I have yet to see any alternator not drop voltage as RPM's rise. The saturn alternator swap is the only true success.

 

[dsmdeliveryboy]

Ya if you run a alternator where the amps are too high you'll overcharge the battery and end up damaging the battery, you need to do the proper wiring and preparations to run something with high amps. I'm actually kind of dealing with alternator and battery problems in my 2G. I'm not sure if its the battery or alternator, but the battery would act like it has a slow leak and I hooked up a volt meter and when it was working properly it would be around 13.5-14.2 and now when I jump the car its at 14.2 and drops down to 9.6 and doesn't go up from there.. Sorry if I'm thread jacking Lol.

 

[turboglenn]

where did you buy it? part number? all that shows up in advance/napa is the 105 amp alternators from what i see, i've got no problem with auto parts store alternators, especially re-manufactured ones (gotta love getting a free new alternator every 6 months.)

I was just talking with the guy at O'reilly's and he started looking in the computer and then went back and opened up soime boxes then came up with one in the same case that was rated at 140 amps. I actually think it was another saturn model, a wagon if i remember correctly

 

[akira235]

any chance you could get me a part number?