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Changing The Alternator

  • Thread starter Thread starter Treachery
  • Start date Start date Feb 24, 2014
T

Treachery

Founding Member
Jun 9, 2002
148
0
17
Feb 24, 2014
#1
  • Feb 24, 2014
  • #1
My Powermaster 130A 3G 1-wire alternator no longer charges my battery (in the trunk).

I'm going to try the Tuff Stuff 150A 3G 1-wire alternator.

Since both alternators are 3G, would replacing the Powermaster with the Tuff Stuff be a direct replacement? Are the bolt patterns the same?

Thanks.
 

madspeed

Colonel Mustard
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
8,914
1,332
204
a van down by the river
Feb 24, 2014
#2
  • Feb 24, 2014
  • #2
direct swap
 

Gearbanger 101

Straight Outta Locash
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 10, 2002
9,457
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Ontario, Canada
Feb 25, 2014
#3
  • Feb 25, 2014
  • #3
You don't think it would be cheaper to have your old one rebuilt/upgraded than buying a new one? It's all the same case, with a few different internal components.
 

85rkyboby

Active Member
Mar 2, 2011
923
96
39
South ATL
Feb 25, 2014
#4
  • Feb 25, 2014
  • #4
Gearbanger 101 said:
You don't think it would be cheaper to have your old one rebuilt/upgraded than buying a new one? It's all the same case, with a few different internal components.
Click to expand...
Where would one find somebody that can upgrade an alternator?
 

Gearbanger 101

Straight Outta Locash
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 10, 2002
9,457
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234
Ontario, Canada
Feb 25, 2014
#5
  • Feb 25, 2014
  • #5
85rkyboby said:
Where would one find somebody that can upgrade an alternator?
Click to expand...

Just gotta crack open the yellow pages. Pretty much any reputable starter/alternator shop in your area should be able to do it without fuss. While I wouldn't waste any time or money on the stock 2G the car came with, the 3G's can be built up beyond 200A. I've got mine built up to 150A currently and it works flawlessly.
 

85rkyboby

Active Member
Mar 2, 2011
923
96
39
South ATL
Feb 25, 2014
#6
  • Feb 25, 2014
  • #6
Thanks @Gearbanger 101.
 
T

Treachery

Founding Member
Jun 9, 2002
148
0
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Feb 25, 2014
#7
  • Feb 25, 2014
  • #7
I will look into rebuilding the alternator to 150A.

Thanks.
 

mikestang63

SN Certified Technician
Aug 27, 2012
11,606
8,859
214
In the garage
Feb 25, 2014
#8
  • Feb 25, 2014
  • #8
Silly question, but did you check the alternator to see if that is the problem, and not a ground or other cable?
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,164
17,860
224
Massachusetts
Feb 26, 2014
#9
  • Feb 26, 2014
  • #9
Do you have a need for 150A? Modern cars have all sorts of electronics, e-fans, 9-speaker stereos, NAV, etc and only require a 120-130A alt to function.

A typical fox really only needs 100-120A unless you are running a high demand stereo. But even with an E-fan swap, you would probably never put more than a 100A load on your alt.

Most of these alt upgrades are because the stock 75A has piss poor charging performance at low RPM and becomes borderline undersized when you add an E-fan to the car. The modern 3G alt fixes this issue as long as you don't underdrive it. Going beyond 130A isn't really necessary. My point is don't pay for something you don't really need.
 
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