alternator upgrade worth the money

lxwants12's

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Sep 22, 2004

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Apr 12, 2005

#1

• Apr 12, 2005

• #1

i just installed the 3g alternator from pa performance and what a world of difference my car used to surge at idle then die once i switched on my dual electric fans and now i have no problems and the voltmeter in the dash always reads at least 14volts such a help anyone looking for an alternator should get it theres little mod to be done nothing serious and its a new unit with a liftem=ime warrenty!!

 

joelliott

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May 17, 2004

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Gainesville, FL

Apr 12, 2005

#2

• Apr 12, 2005

• #2

thanks for the info dude. Im looking to do it soon too. And was weavering on whether to do it or spend the cash elsewhere.
Joe E.

 

bryanrevans

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Sep 10, 2004

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Chicopee,Mass

Apr 12, 2005

#3

• Apr 12, 2005

• #3

Did you do the 4 guage wire w/ fuse upgrade??

 

R

ratrapp

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Apr 24, 2004

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buena vista,va

Apr 12, 2005

#4

• Apr 12, 2005

• #4

i upgraded mine almost a year ago and it was well worth the effort.

 

Roadblock

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Jul 13, 2002

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VA

Apr 12, 2005

#5

• Apr 12, 2005

• #5

yeah i am in the process how ever i got mine from autozone the duralast gold (new lifetime warrenty) anyway do i have to have a fuse between the alt and the starter sol.? if so what size should i get the alt puts out 130amps....

 

Stang8URMPRT

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Dec 28, 2003

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Daytona Beach, FL

Apr 12, 2005

#6

• Apr 12, 2005

• #6

My 3G alt specifically said NOT TO put a fuse in between the cable going from the alt to the solenoid... So I didn't.

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

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Nov 29, 1999

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Apr 13, 2005

#7

• Apr 13, 2005

• #7

i certainly would want some sort of meltdown protection for when the alt shorts out (esp if the wiring was upgraded, which it certainly needs to be). i personally dont see anything wrong with sticking a fuse (say 150 amps) in series in the power wire.

if a system functions properly, it will never know there is a fuse there. but should a problem pop up, it sure is nice to have.

 

bryanrevans

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Sep 10, 2004

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Chicopee,Mass

Apr 13, 2005

#8

• Apr 13, 2005

• #8

Why would directions state not to use a fuse?????????

 

Curse

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Apr 8, 2004

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El Paso, TX

Apr 13, 2005

#9

• Apr 13, 2005

• #9

lxwants12's said:

i just installed the 3g alternator from pa performance and what a world of difference my car used to surge at idle then die once i switched on my dual electric fans and now i have no problems and the voltmeter in the dash always reads at least 14volts such a help anyone looking for an alternator should get it theres little mod to be done nothing serious and its a new unit with a liftem=ime warrenty!!

Click to expand...

Thanks this is what I needed to get me going. I have been debating whether or not to do it. I will be using the new MSD alternator though a little pricey but it looks freaking awesome, anyone see one on a stang?

 

5spd GT

"the 5.0 owns all"

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Aug 7, 2002

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Apr 13, 2005

#10

• Apr 13, 2005

• #10

I upgraded my stock alternator to a paperformance 3g alternator (130amp) and did the 4guage wire with the inline fuse linked between the alternator and starter solenoid as the instructions stated...

Been doing just fine on my daily driver every since

 

Stang8URMPRT

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Dec 28, 2003

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Daytona Beach, FL

Apr 13, 2005

#11

• Apr 13, 2005

• #11

bryanrevans said:

Why would directions state not to use a fuse?????????

Click to expand...

No idea... but mine specifically stated DO NOT USE AN INLINE FUSE/CIRCUIT BREAKER.

 

91mustangnick

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Apr 12, 2005

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Alpena, MI

Apr 13, 2005

#12

• Apr 13, 2005

• #12

i upgraded to a G6 130amp in my 1991. its about one inch smaller in dia. and weights a little less. i went with the G6 becuase i heard that you had to modify your bracket when installing G3 alternators.

Nick

 

jrichker

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Apr 13, 2005

#13

• Apr 13, 2005

• #13

I would not install a 130 amp circuit in my house and not put a fuse or circuit breaker in it. That would be asking for a fire for sure, in addition to being a violation of every electrical code ever written.


The stock alternator wiring has a fuse link, so should any high current alternator.

See WWW.partsexpress.com for the fuse & fuse holder.
Fuse @ $3.90 each (need one) http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/show...tnumber=071-952

Fuseholder @ $5.80 each (need one) http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/show...tnumber=263-630

4 gauge black wire @ $1.25 a foot (use string to lay out routing & determine length) http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/show...tnumber=100-196

4 gauge red wire @ $1.25 a foot (use string to lay out routing & determine length) http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/show...tnumber=100-194

4 gauge ring crimp terminals (package of 5) $3.25. http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/show...tnumber=095-584

Don't forget the extra ground....
The secondary power ground is between the back of the intake manifold and the driver's side firewall. It is often missing or loose. It supplies ground for the alternator, A/C compressor clutch and other electrical accessories such as the gauges. Any car that has a 3G alternator needs a 4 gauge ground wire running from the block to the chassis ground where the battery pigtail ground connects.

 

Philstang

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May 11, 2005

#14

• May 11, 2005

• #14

jrichker said:

Don't forget the extra ground....
The secondary power ground is between the back of the intake manifold and the driver's side firewall. It is often missing or loose. It supplies ground for the alternator, A/C compressor clutch and other electrical accessories such as the gauges.

Click to expand...

Should this ground be upgraded to 4 gauge?

jrichker said:

Any car that has a 3G alternator needs a 4 gauge ground wire running from the block to the chassis ground where the battery pigtail ground connects.

Click to expand...

what is the battery pigtail ?

 

Stang8URMPRT

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Dec 28, 2003

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May 11, 2005

#15

• May 11, 2005

• #15

Hey, jrichker... Can you update those links??? They don't work anymore.

 

Stang8URMPRT

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Dec 28, 2003

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Daytona Beach, FL

May 11, 2005

#16

• May 11, 2005

• #16

Here's the fuses....

http://www.partsexpress.com/webpage.cfm?webpage_id=3&SO=2&&DID=7&CATID=41&ObjectGroup_ID=239

And the holder

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=263-630