I've read various posts regarding alternator upgrades but still can't really decide what to go for.

I'm in the market for another alternator as my CS130 on my TPI system seems to be suffering from the dreaded heat problem - produces good voltage when cold until it gets warm and then it drops back to barely charging the battery, which is an Optima red top, 960CCA.

I'm considering buying something from alternatorparts.com but haven't actually made a firm choice on what to get. As I am not in the USA I need to buy something that is cost effective to ship.

My favourite choice at this stage is either the CS144 or Iceberg 140A upgrade. With either solution I will likely use the smallest pulley alternatorparts.com offer to compensate for the lower idle output a higher rating alternator will give in addition to the fact I use an underdrive crank pulley. This crank pulley at present allows my CS130 to produce about 13.6V at idle when measured at the battery, before the voltage starts to die off.

When I drive, the car is mostly between 600-2100RPM unless of course I happen to be doing some spirited driving or drag racing at the track, and I've set my engine's redline to be at 5700RPM. I'm not sure if this would shorten the life of an alternator with an underdrive pulley or not to any appreciable amount.

I suppose I favour the Iceberg upgrade due to it being cheaper and lighter than the CS144 and doesn't require the extra cost of adapting brackets, but I am open to suggestions...

 

I vote for the cs144 you can get them almost anywhere

 

Why do you vote for the CS144? They're not such a popular alternator where I come from, that I know of anyway.

 

If you still have the original pulleys and belt, put them back on to check this. The underdrive set will only add a few hp above 5000 RPM.
I have an underdrive set and don't use it, I spin mine to 6500.
With stock alternator, A/C on full, and headlights on, it barely breaks even idling at 950 RPM. I'd hate to guess what the voltage would be with the underdrive set...

 

That's a really good point. I might do that the next time I'm home (next year!).

Still, I need something to solve my over heating alternator problems...

 

They take the heat and putout alot at idle and if one fails you can
buy it at the parts store

 

ok i have never learned what one is what number

i replace and swap alternators on gm stuff all the time, RWd, FWD, 60s to 90's years and have no idea which is 144 or 130 or whatever


which is which? what years were each used ?

i know the small style 90s ones like on the fwd engines like the 3800 and 3400 and 3300 and 3100 engines are mounted way differentely than the older rwd ones and theres no way to use one on a rwd like our cars,

whats the differences externally between each ?


can someone elaborate ?

 

Look here for an elaboration... http://www.extreme4wheelin.com/tech/...ators/tech.htm
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Presumably the Iceberg CS130 can take the heat too, the reason they designed them. If a CS144 does fail on me, I can't buy one at a parts store so easily because I'm not in the USA.