New alternator

spederman · Aug 25, 2007

My alternator crapped out and i have to get a new one. Is there any specific reason to upgrade over the stock 130amp alternator? I always see people upgrading to 150-200 amp alternators, but not sure why. I'm still running the stock audio system too.

BobHyatt · Aug 25, 2007

If you put in a stereo system with a large sub-woofer setup and AMP, producing a kilowatt or more of power, then you might need more. You don't want to continually run a 130 amp alternator at 100 amps to feed your subs. It will burn out. Note that larger alternators will eat more horsepower. Nothing is free...

If you have one of "those" systems that will flatten your battery after running it for 15 minutes with the motor off, you might consider getting rid of it.

COramprat · Aug 26, 2007

If you are not adding anything that draws power you are fine. One thing I would suggest is to look at the alternator and see where it is made. The Chinese alts are inferior and you will be replacing it in a year. Look on the back at the voltage regulator on the replacement and see where it is made since they usually just replace those on the rebuilt alts. New are more expensive but are more reliable than the rebuild.

spederman · Aug 26, 2007

Cool. I called the local Ford Dealer and a brand new stock alt is $286. That seems like a lot. I was also on the PA performance site and they sell a new one for $259. Ive heard PA performance is really good, should i get that instead of a stock Ford alternator?

COramprat · Aug 26, 2007

Ford dealers will always be higher in most cases. Most stores get their rebuilds/new parts from relatively few manufacturers. Going to the local parts store will be just as good as ordering one. Just make sure the name is reputable...for instance I've used the Autozone Duralast and haven't had any problems lately with the new ones. Just try to avoid the desire to go cheap and get a rebuilt one. I've NEVER had any luck with the rebuilds.

StangYellow · Aug 27, 2007

Alternators can just crap out at random, whether you are running bigger amps or not. Opposite of Coramprat says, i suggest getting a rebuilt one from autozone. If im not mistaken, they have a lifetime warranty. Plus its probably 100 bills cheaper than Ford's replacement.

lvmustanggt · Aug 27, 2007

I'm in a need for alternator too and called ford here in las vegas but they want $350 for it. So I call autozone and they got duralast refurb for $200.00 with lifetime warrenty . I found some for $129.99 for rebuilt at ebay

COramprat · Aug 27, 2007

$200 is a bit high for a reman but if you want to get it go ahead. Lifetime warranty or not you'll be replacing it again in about a year. Trust me...I drive enough miles to have had numerous experiences with both new and remans and they rebuilts don't last long.

cooper · Aug 28, 2007

call me old school, but when did a alt cost more than 80 bucks!

RandyStinchcomb · Aug 28, 2007

cooper said:
call me old school, but when did a alt cost more than 80 bucks!

since they started containing the voltage regulators and are now more than 60/70 amps now.

guys, most "parts store" rebuilts wth lifetime warranty are JUNK, stay away from that "lifetime warranty" sales ploy, its a gimmick.
rebuilt Ford ones are only @$169.00 and up and are much better inmo

COramprat · Aug 28, 2007

RandyStinchcomb said:
since they started containing the voltage regulators and are now more than 60/70 amps now.

guys, most "parts store" rebuilts wth lifetime warranty are JUNK, stay away from that "lifetime warranty" sales ploy, its a gimmick.
rebuilt Ford ones are only @$169.00 and up and are much better inmo

Ahhh...the voice of reason.

I've gone through enough of those "lifetime warranty remans" to purchase a brand new one the last time. Autozone did give me credit toward the new one after a short rant. Haven't had any issues since.

spederman · Aug 28, 2007

I've narrowed it down and I'm trying to decide between another Brand New (not refurb) stock Ford 130amp alternator which i can get online for $202+shipping or a PA Performance 130 amp alternator which is $259+shipping. Anybody know if the PA Performance are that much better than Ford that i should spend the extra $60?

lvmustanggt · Aug 29, 2007

Today I bought one from checkerauto for $ 149.99+tax Yayyy. Only bad part is my car still whistle and now don't know where else to look. Change everything IAC, TPS, TB Gasket and intake gakset, pullies and belt tensionner .

Don't know where this whistle coming

san~man · Aug 29, 2007

Thank god mine crapped out still under warranty. $50.00 for the ESP deductible....yay

spederman · Aug 29, 2007

san~man said:
Thank god mine crapped out still under warranty. $50.00 for the ESP deductible....yay

I have the ESP also, but i figured there is no way they will warranty it, i have an 8 rib pulley setup and with all my mods, i'm sure they would blame it on that stuff anyways. Plus i am always terrified to leave my car at the dealer now that its supercharged, some moron would take it for a test drive and wreck it or blow the motor. Way too many horror stories out there. Kinda wish i never even bought the ESP now, oh well.

san~man · Aug 30, 2007

spederman said:
I have the ESP also, but i figured there is no way they will warranty it, i have an 8 rib pulley setup and with all my mods, i'm sure they would blame it on that stuff anyways. Plus i am always terrified to leave my car at the dealer now that its supercharged, some moron would take it for a test drive and wreck it or blow the motor. Way too many horror stories out there. Kinda wish i never even bought the ESP now, oh well.

Well, I guess you can look at it that way, but it's worth a try. My friend is my service manager, so I don't really worry that it gets abused while there. It may, but as long as I don't know, I don't care. Besides, I check the mileage before and after I drop it off, just in case.

As far as the ESP, I'm glad I got it. All this fixed after the 3 year manufacturer warranty expired:

1 cylinder
1 alternator
1 O2 sensor
1 window motor
AC work
And more stuff I probably missed. When you consider the price for the parts alone, then factor in labor rates, I more than easily made up for the cost of the plan.

New alternator

spederman

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BobHyatt

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COramprat

...I can take it. I think.

spederman

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COramprat

...I can take it. I think.

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lvmustanggt

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cooper

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spederman

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