I need to get a new alternator, as the bearings are going on my current one. The current one isn't stock. It's a large case one, and it's 70amps (at least that's what it says on the case).

Anyway, I have a stereo, it's a 200W deck, and a sub that's wired for 600W RMS. I'm also thinking of getting driving lights and possibly a neon undercar kit (hold the groans ).

So I'm wondering what alternator I need to get. I know stock is 105, and it seems 140amp and 200amp alts are easy enough to get. Since a 200amp is about twice that of a 140, I'd like to know for sure if a 140 isn't gonna do the job before going for the 200.

I know people say buy the most you can afford, but that's kinda like throwing parts at a problem instead of finding the one part that was the problem.

I've heard it mentioned that a HO alt will produce noise in a sound system. Is this the case all the time? And can this be corrected?

Are the large case alternators better with overheating than the small case ones (like what came stock)? I the 200amps all seem to be the large case ones, but if I should go with a 140, would a large case be better or does it matter?

Any comments/suggestions/explainations are greatly appreciated.

 

a healthy electrical system is the most overlooked aspect of a stereo system...it never hurts to be overkill....i think you would be alright with a 105 amp alt with that setup but car audio is very addicting and chances are you will want to upgrade in the future so i would go with a 140 amp atleast.

ive never had any problems with my HO alt causing noise in the system and ive transfered it through 4 vehicles so far.

 

Yeah. I do want to go a bit overboard just to leave some room for the future as you mentioned. If 140 is overkill for what i have now plus some additional lights, then I'd go for that.

I just don't want to be "cutting it close" and finding out later on that I should have spend a bit extra. Unfortunately, I don't have much experience, and the companies all say I should go with a 200.

How much room for improvement does a 140 give me?

 

I have a 140, and it makes a big difference. Plus my yellow top Optima, makes a huge difference.

 

So I shouldn't run into any problems with a 140? I'd just hate to get it and find out later I should have gone with the 200.

 

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