Alternator...

[94"Che-rolet"Z34]

I was wondering if anybody could tell me where to get a high output alternator for a 94 Z34... I'm running aftermarket lights and a system and i need more power... considered getting the capacitor for the system but the altenator is already going downhill. so if possible could someone lead me in the right direction?

[KenInKenmore]

If I was you I'd get a capacitor anyway that way when you do put a new alteranor in your stereo wont draw to much power from the rest of the car.
a good way to tell if you need to do that is if when your bass hits your dash light dim. a higher output alterantor will throw your cars ecm off too

[jeffcoslacker]

Yeah, a cap might be your answer, rather than an alternator upgrade. I ran two batteries in paralell for this kind of problem before. A car battery is, essentially, a huge cap, more storage capacity giving you a deeper "well" to dig from when demand hits, relieving the alternator and regulator. It will do the same thing. Summit Racing sells upgraded GM alternators, not sure about for our cars, though.

[dwalmop]

A 1 Farad cap should be more than enough, and might be the best thing to do in your case.

[Kooterskkar]

A capacitor is just a cover up for another problem. How much amperage is the system pulling?
You should be fine with a 105 amp alternator, and if I were you I would do the big 3 alternator wiring upgrade.
Run bigger ground wires for the battery and alternator straight to the frame of the car.
Run a larger wire from the output post on the alternator to the positive post on the battery, with a large fuse (150amp should work) near the battery.
This upgrade will reduce light dimming and voltage drops, and will also lower resistance allowing the battery to recieve more of the alternators output.

[94"Che-rolet"Z34]

i was planning on the capacitor anyway... but the alternator is already starting to go out on me adn the capacitor will only increase the lifespan a little while. not to mention the other components im running... and about the 2 battery operation... how well did that work and how hard was it to set up? and about the higher output alternator... how bad does it affect the ecm and is there a way top counter it... cuz i havent heard of a higher output alternator messing with the ecm... sure it will be putting out more power, but it should still but ending the same amount to the computer...? thanx everyone

[dangerouslysingle]

definitly get a capacitor cause it probly will take out the alt and your ecm AND the ignition module cause it did on mine and i have an after market system

[richtazz]

pray that your alternator doesn't take a crap on you. It's mounted in the back on the bottom and is a HUGE job to change (assuming your car has the 3.4 dohc, being a Z-34)

[jeffcoslacker]

I ran the two-battery setup in an older Ford with a lot of accesories and aftermarket stuff. Essentially, to run two in paralell, you are connecting them in "jump start" configuration, positive to positive, neg to neg. The Ford had room for an extra battery under the hood, this is a problem on newer cars. But if you can find a location for it, even in the trunk, you can get insulated cable in bulk and make the cables to reach it. By running in paralell, you are simply increasing the amperage available to the electrical system. It won't harm anything, you simply need 12 volts, you can never have too much amperage. If you ran in series (load to pos to neg to pos to neg to load) you'd have 24 volts running, and you'd fry everything. The idea about beefing up your ground circuit and fusing the hot side is good advice, too.

[tblake]

screw the capacitor!!!!!!!!!!!!!, they are crap, and way overrated, only a few people who have posted here know anything about anything. Get a better alternator. Possably a second battery, or maybe just a better battery, an optima. Caps are great for that one quarter second punch, but they have to charge back up remember. Just get a better battery. Dont waste 100 bux on a crappy cap. Its just a way for them to screw you out of your money. Take my advice.