Alternator Upgrade

[uH8THECHEVY]

I have 1991 Chevy Lumina 4dr and a 1994 Chevy Lumina 2dr, both with a 3.1L engine.

I am upgrading my alternator from a 105 amps to 165 amps. The high current alternator needs bigger power wire. Should I route and reconnect the bigger cable where does the original cable connects or can I just run a new power wire to the aux batt post?

Thanks for any help.

[richtazz]

You can run the wire whichever way you want, just be sure to isolate it from sources of heat and abrasion.

[uH8THECHEVY]

If I run it to the Aux batt post, should I disconnect the original wire? Where exactly does the original wire run to?

[comptech_69]

where did you get your alternator from?

I have a 160 and I ran 4g from the alternator to the Aux post, and also kept the origional wiring hooked up and i works great. I would suggest an overdrive pulley beucase he hi-amp alternators dont do shit for output at idle

[uH8THECHEVY]

I got it off of Ebay. I think the Ebay store name is Motor City.

What is and overdrive pulley and where do you put it? Also would I need a different belt?

Unrelated question: how do you post pic in the post?

[comptech_69]

Originally Posted by uH8THECHEVY

I got it off of Ebay. I think the Ebay store name is Motor City.

What is and overdrive pulley and where do you put it? Also would I need a different belt?

Unrelated question: how do you post pic in the post?

Oh noes!!! You got it from motor city reman!?!? That is the exact alternator that I have, and I have to say it's the biggest piece of shit evAR!!! I tried returning it but they just gave me negative feedback and refused to work with me (even though I paid extra for a LIFETIME warranty!!!)

I have an overdrive pulley on my alt and it still dosn't do shit for idle output. I've taken the alternator to multiple alternator shops and they all tell me that the alternator was made like shit... I suggest returning it while you still can... The only reason that I have mine installed is beucase my stock alternator died.


To post a pic you have to do this [img]web address of your pic here[/img]

[uH8THECHEVY]

I have had the alternator for about 3 months and just got it installed last week, the old took a crap on me. Where can I purchase a overdrive pulley and is it easy to install?

[comptech_69]

Originally Posted by uH8THECHEVY

I have had the alternator for about 3 months and just got it installed last week, the old took a crap on me. Where can I purchase a overdrive pulley and is it easy to install?

You'll never be able to find one smaller than what is on there, I've been searching for abot a year now. That alternator is pure shit. Do you have a voltmeter guage in your car? If you don't I suggest installing one to monitor your voltage becuase with that alternator, you'll want to. One thing you will notice is at night when you hit your brakes your lights will dim, if your heater is on this will make it worse... You'll notice the heater slow down, all your lights dim and the voltmeter drop to around 10v. It's horrible!

The alternator shipps with a 2 1/8" 6 groove serp pulley. I ordered a 1 3/4" one from summit, only to get a 2 1/8" one becuase it's the smallest one that anyone manufactures. I actually have a 1 3/4" pulley from a ford car installed on mine now, and t's still not small enough to spin it up enough at idle to actually charge.

Just be careful and definately get a voltmeter, because if you sit idling for too long, your battery will drain and your car won't start again