Hey all,
I'm trying to get little projects around the engine out of the way while I save for my 408w, and so it's 1-wire alternator time. I understand that the same alternator will work with the current 302 and the later 408w, so the Q is, given that:
1) I'll have an EFI, and all the electric goodies (fan, pump) etc that I can run in there
2) there will be a Mac Mini in there someday with some tiny screen.
3) Sound system will be nice, but not insane, no crazy amount of bass - 400w? 600?
what should I go with? paperformance-3g at 140 amp or so, or 200, Powermaster in that range, or Powermaster up to 200amp? I also need it to run off the v-belt for now, still deciding what I'm going to do in the long run for belts.
So far I've read in the archives:
1) paperformance.com seems to be the place to get the 3G - all the wiring issues are solved for you there, and they do some custom finishes including powdercoat colors, polished, and chrome if you're into that.
2) 3G seems more reliable from everything I've seen. Voltage regulators can fail on the Powermaster - it's an AC/Delco unit.
3) Powermaster looks better to me, whether in black or chrome. 3G looks too "new OEM" and Powermaster looks more "original OEM"
4) Powermaster is more of a true 1-wire unit. 3G needs some integration into the existing wiring harness.
5) 3G would seem to be easier to service, being essentially an original Ford OEM part
6) 3G larger units may require 2 v-belts to prevent squealing. I'm confused on this. Is there an additional v-belt pulley on the original engine for this, possibly an unused one for AC? (excuse the newbieness, I could always pop the hood I guess
7) The Powermaster unit from mustangsunlimited comes with an unacceptably small 6 gauge wire - you really want 4 gauge or higher for these 130amp and higher alternators.
Anything else? Anybody find this summary useful? Bueller? Oh, and I'm pretty set on a Powermaster mini starter along with this upgrade - less weight, more starting torque, and combined with my Optima battery I should have a good healthy starting/electrical system . . .
I'm leaning hard towards the smaller PAperformance 3G right here - anyone have any feedback on the one on the left with the 80/150 capacity?
http://www.pa-performance.com/6585.asp
I'm trying to get little projects around the engine out of the way while I save for my 408w, and so it's 1-wire alternator time. I understand that the same alternator will work with the current 302 and the later 408w, so the Q is, given that:
1) I'll have an EFI, and all the electric goodies (fan, pump) etc that I can run in there
2) there will be a Mac Mini in there someday with some tiny screen.
3) Sound system will be nice, but not insane, no crazy amount of bass - 400w? 600?
what should I go with? paperformance-3g at 140 amp or so, or 200, Powermaster in that range, or Powermaster up to 200amp? I also need it to run off the v-belt for now, still deciding what I'm going to do in the long run for belts.
So far I've read in the archives:
1) paperformance.com seems to be the place to get the 3G - all the wiring issues are solved for you there, and they do some custom finishes including powdercoat colors, polished, and chrome if you're into that.
2) 3G seems more reliable from everything I've seen. Voltage regulators can fail on the Powermaster - it's an AC/Delco unit.
3) Powermaster looks better to me, whether in black or chrome. 3G looks too "new OEM" and Powermaster looks more "original OEM"
4) Powermaster is more of a true 1-wire unit. 3G needs some integration into the existing wiring harness.
5) 3G would seem to be easier to service, being essentially an original Ford OEM part
6) 3G larger units may require 2 v-belts to prevent squealing. I'm confused on this. Is there an additional v-belt pulley on the original engine for this, possibly an unused one for AC? (excuse the newbieness, I could always pop the hood I guess
7) The Powermaster unit from mustangsunlimited comes with an unacceptably small 6 gauge wire - you really want 4 gauge or higher for these 130amp and higher alternators.
Anything else? Anybody find this summary useful? Bueller? Oh, and I'm pretty set on a Powermaster mini starter along with this upgrade - less weight, more starting torque, and combined with my Optima battery I should have a good healthy starting/electrical system . . .
I'm leaning hard towards the smaller PAperformance 3G right here - anyone have any feedback on the one on the left with the 80/150 capacity?
http://www.pa-performance.com/6585.asp