Alternator Upgrade

stang_racer69

Giddy Up My Ass!

Founding Member

Jan 1, 1999

1,960

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Centeral Ohio

Oct 27, 2004

#1

• Oct 27, 2004

• #1

I would like to upgrade my alternator to something a little larger but not something taht is way too big. I'm tierd of the lights practicly shutting off at night.

I run a Black Magic Elec. Fan
220lph fuel pump
and my CD player


What size would be good for me and would it just be a bolt in or something that will take some fab time (clearencing brackets) and extra wiring?




thanks in advance

 

R

rick237

New Member

Oct 25, 2004

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Oct 27, 2004

#2

• Oct 27, 2004

• #2

you can go in almost any magazine like "muscle mustangs and fast fords" and theyll have ads on bigger alternators or you can go to like any stereo shop, ebay but look for something thats about 120 amp or more good luck

 

J

jd351

Founding Member

Feb 20, 2002

163

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Everett, WA

Oct 27, 2004

#3

• Oct 27, 2004

• #3

One option is to get a 130 amp from a late (post-88) T-Bird 5.0 or from a 94-95 GT or a 95A from a Post '90 Bronco. The mod is easy, and from a wreaking yard a alt. is cheap, even if the first one doesn't work (highly unlikely), two would not be half the cost of a rebuilt one, yet alone a new one. I got one for $12, no joke, at a u-pull it lot, and they would even refund all but a $3 core charge if it is not re-buildable, something they take your word for. What a deal!

 

HISSIN50

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

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

33

129

Oct 28, 2004

#4

• Oct 28, 2004

• #4

an alt is something that, within reason, someone cant go too large with. it will only put out what is needed - so no real downside. 130 and 160's are real nice. you will have to do a wiring upgrade with anything you do, so that is moot.

good luck.

 

NosPony

New Member

Apr 2, 2004

278

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Canton, Il

Oct 28, 2004

#5

• Oct 28, 2004

• #5

i went to autozone and got a 89 alternator for a mustang that was a optional 90 amps and plugs into your factory harness same price as a 60 amp.

 

Pyro

Founding Member

Nov 24, 2001

146

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0

Cagary Alberta

Oct 28, 2004

#6

• Oct 28, 2004

• #6

I'm instaling a 130 Amp alternator tomorrow. Installing it and upgrading the wireing is a joke. The only hard part is finding a 130 (I used a 125A) fuse. I swear people think your building a bomb or something when you ask for one.

 

5spd GT

"the 5.0 owns all"

Founding Member

Aug 7, 2002

9,516

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99

Arkansas

Oct 28, 2004

#7

• Oct 28, 2004

• #7

It cost a little money (around $250) but I bought a 130amp and the 4guage wire upgrade kit from www.paperformance.com and it comes with nice color pictures and everything you need right down to the zipties...

 

jrichker

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Mar 10, 2000

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Dublin GA

Oct 28, 2004

#8

• Oct 28, 2004

• #8

Here's websites with pictures of the 3G (94 Mustang and later 130 amp alt) installation procedure...

See http://www.geocities.com/smithmonte/Auto/3G_130A_Alternator_Upgrade.htm - all the tech data you could ever want to know
OR
http://www.mustangcentral.net/tech/alternator.html - excellent pictures of the installation

See these sites for the right way to do the wiring. Some people will tell you that you can skip the wiring upgrade, but it will catch up with you sooner or later. A fire in the wiring harness is ugly and expensive.

Under no circumstances connect the two 10 gauge black/white wires to the 3G alternator. If the fuse blows in the 4 gauge wire, the two 10 gauge wires may be overloaded to the point of catching fire and burning up the wiring harness.

Figure this:
Ignition system & computer = 12 amps
Fuel pump = 12 amps
Exterior lights = 15 amps
Fan (heater or A/C) = 15 amps (can run between 5-25 amps depending on setting)
Radio & instruments = 10 amps
Wipers = 10 amps

That's grand total of 74 amps from a 65 amp alternator. Talk about overdrawn at the bank!

See WWW.partsexpress.com for the fuse & fuse holder.
Fuse = http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=071-952

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

 

cdog301

Founding Member

Aug 30, 2000

236

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18

richmond ,ca

Oct 28, 2004

#9

• Oct 28, 2004

• #9

alt

How about a one wire 140 amp from powermaster 189.00 from Summit!

 

jrichker

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Mar 10, 2000

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Dublin GA

Oct 28, 2004

#10

• Oct 28, 2004

• #10

cdog301 said:

How about a one wire 140 amp from powermaster 189.00 from Summit!

Click to expand...

Save $60 or more by doing the 3G from Autozone & geting a better charge rate at low RPM's. Follow the instructions in my previous post to get the proper fuse holder & fuse.

 

cdog301

Founding Member

Aug 30, 2000

236

1

18

richmond ,ca

Oct 30, 2004

#11

• Oct 30, 2004

• #11

alt

Let's see AUto Zone electrical parts with a lifetime warranty means you will be going back there for the rest of your life exchanging bad parts don't do it!