nothing extravagant...just running a daily funner...what would you recommend and why...

 

If this is for a 'transportation only'-type vehicle with no electrical problems or above-stock electrical demands, I'd go for either a rebuilt alt from Autozone because they're inexpensive and generally last a while or if you wanted to spend more money and basically not have to touch it for the next decade, go for a new GM part. The reasoning behind this is you know all the pieces are matched to each other when it comes direct from GM. A rebuilt may have slightly mis-matched parts, but still work when installed.

 

if you do have a higher electrical load, get a CS144. Either from the wreckers or a parts store. Tell 'em it's the alternator in a '94 Chev lumina van or something.
140 amps, and basically bolts right in.