FAST RS

Ok in the past 8 months i hgave bought 6 alternators well actualy one but thjey keep goin out on me.. This was even before i pu y pullys on. So i was thinking of getin a 140 AMP alternator insted of a 105 AmP one do you think this would help any???? With all my electronics and system and all that i know it puts a big drain on the system.

Monkie

You said you have a system...If so you might wanna try getting an amp for it, and if you got one then get a bigger one.

FAST RS

i do have a Amp its a 750 Watt amp too much Bass if you ask me enev at -8 it bugs me on some cd's. But the 140 Amp alternator is nicely priced at 265.00 and if i have to ill spend that much but dont want to really..

will0325

well i donno about the alternators, but i run DB drag w/my camaro, i have 4 Cerwin Vega 10's in my car, w/a 2,200 watt amp. thats some serious power, iknow, i am insane, btu anyways, u might be burning up alternatiors b/c they have to work too hard to recharge the batter, i know i did the same, i tried compacitors, they only work for moderate power, i ended up having to add 2 more batteries to my car, they fit nicely in the glove box in the back of the car just take out the cardboard, and where ur spare tire is. that might fix ur problem, but do some investigating b/c 2 more batteries is Alot of money, so do research first. but thats my opinion when i went throught the problem, hope it helps

TomP

FastRS, are you putting the alternator in the car when the battery's dead? Every alternator I've gotten has come with a sheet warning of "Alternator Death"- they say the battery should be fully charged before hooking up the alternator. It has something to do with the rectifier burning itself out...


------------------
-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards

FAST RS

that battery is putting out 12.7 volts i belive somewere around there iits a brand new battery too

CaliCamaroRS

when i put an new battery in my 3.1, i hooked the car up to a scan tool and the battery was putting out 14 volts. maybe your belt is loose or your pulley is bent .

FAST RS

Its my alternator i went to autozone and had them hook it up to there meter and it was bad. So tonight i did waht i didnt want to do but i orderd a 140 Amp alternator if the SOB dont work im gonna shoot my car lol. But 140 Amps over 105 amps should make a big difference. i just dont like the price 270.00
but then again nothing is too good for my baby

TomP

Just make sure your old battery is fully charged ... like you said, it should be 12 when the car's off, and 13.8 (14) when the car's running. Let us know how the bigger alternator works! You might want to upgrade the red wire that comes out of the back of the alternator... stock looks like it's 10 gauge, it seems kinda thin.


------------------
-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards

Jason E

My car has chewed through the original, and 2 replacements in 86k miles. For some reason, 2.8s chew alternators, as my friend'e Beretta has had plenty too.

I can't say I'm impressed being on my 4th alternator BEFORE I installed my amp!!!

------------------
Jason E
'89 Camaro RS 2.8
Hypertech chip/2 K&N filters/Accel 8.8 wires/RapidFires
Eclipse CD and 100x4 amp/Boston 746 4x6 plates and RX 6x9 3 ways/ALL Monster's goodies
Alpine Alarm w/ Keyless entry
IROC tailights/tinted windows

FAST RS

My friend who is a mechanic said that our cars eat alternators like no ones business i guess he said it had to do witht he position of the tenisoner.. Speaking of which what size belts do all you 3.1's have with the underdrive pullys???

TomP

Welp one of the issues with the "larger" 105 amp alternators, like the one I have, is that the alternator is too big for the rear bearing. GM didn't figure out a way to keep the bearing cool enough. So the the bearing heats up and eventually burns up, taking some electronics with it. My last alternator was squealing painfully, and throwing sparks!

Good thing I bought that lifetime replacement alternator from Pep Boys... I'm on my 3rd so far.


------------------
-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards

FAST RS

I got my litetime one from autozone and am sick of every 2 weeks putting a new one on when my first one went that was cool the boolt that holds on the pully came off and the pully diapared... But i should have the alternator in 4 frekin weeks summit has to special order it.

CaliCamaroRS

i've had my car for almost 2 years and have never had a problem with the alternator except that sometimes my gauge starts bouncing in tune with the engine....but that's all.

------------------
Dan
100% stock 1990 RS 3.1L
and VERY slow

FAST RS

I have the same prob except my car gets a messe du p idle when the volts dropdown and i wacth my tach bounce too hey caliRS do u ever go to cruisers???

CaliCamaroRS

fast RS, i've never been. is it like a thirdgen hangout??? i don't think i'd wanna show off my car right now....it's making a wierd rattling sound a 1700 rpms, it vibrates like a **** at idle, plus i hit 2(yes..2) guys in the last week (a BMW and a LEXUS, the lexus on friday the 13th....the ****er cuts in front of me on the 405 and slamms on the brakes ) but i only have one little dent on my quarter panel.

------------------
Dan
100% stock 1990 RS 3.1L
and VERY slow

FAST RS

There are all kinds of cars there you dont have to show it off wehen my cars dirty i park it way at the other end of the parkinglot no one will see it but if you went you would like it... Damn 2 cars in 1 week that sux

CaliCamaroRS

yeah it sucks....the BMW guy told me not to worry because i only put a little smudge of my paint on his bumper.... the lexus f ucker said he'd also pay if it wasn't too expensive.

------------------
Dan
100% stock 1990 RS 3.1L
and VERY slow

KNTRDR

guys, one thing that i have found by accident is that rebuilt electrical parts suck. no other way to put it. yes it is more expensive to buy new but it is worth it. on something like that i recomend delco parts. this also goes for sensors. good luck