Parts store 3G

WantaGT

Member

Jul 13, 2003

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16

ohio

Jun 26, 2005

#21

• Jun 26, 2005

• #21

might sound like i'm pirating the thread but it has to do with higher output alternators. can you use them to up the charge when using underdrive pulleys? I have pulleys and the stock alternator isn't up to snuff for some of the stereo stuff i have PLUS headlights. sorry if i offend anyone by bringing up a tangent...

 

K

Kerpal

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Aug 9, 2004

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Jun 26, 2005

#22

• Jun 26, 2005

• #22

I think I'm going to go with a rebuilt 3G from a local company... the 130 amp version is about $120-130. Seems like this place's stuff is of better quality than the usual parts store remans.

The parts store alternators are kind of a crap shoot.. sometimes they'll last several years, sometimes several months. I used to work at a parts store, and we did see them come back in from time to time, although not *that* often. A lot of places have a lifetime warranty, so for the price it's not a bad way to go... it would just suck to have the thing die unexpectedly and strand you.

 

HISSIN50

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

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

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Jun 26, 2005

#23

• Jun 26, 2005

• #23

With the wiring upgrade, you are preaching to the choir. New power cable and power ground is going in. I have had the power ground cable for a bit - I just had not installed it (it even helps a stock system).

Insane, only reman'd Bosch units avl ($177). None New and even this one has to be ordered.

Kevin, do you know if the Duralast you used was a Gold unit (vs standard) and was it new or reman'd? I can only get a reman'd Non-Gold Durlast reman'd unit (150 bucks).

One last question: do the parts store units come with a new pulley? Not that a 2G pulley probably bolts up (since it has the cooling dealie), but mine is in pieces.

I keep swaying, but the parts store route was how I was leaning while thinking and working on the 94 earlier. Your latest posts kind of beat that home. Being able to swap it quickly is nice (though I may have to swap it often). Last reman'd alt I did (on the truck) - I went through a couple and had a couple bench test bad when swapping the old bad ones in.

Again, thanks for all the ideas. I appreciate all the posts, as it gives me an idea of how many folks run which units and how they did for each of you.

 

trents99

Founding Member

Jun 28, 2002

438

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Hampton, GA

Jun 27, 2005

#24

• Jun 27, 2005

• #24

Parts store ones come with the pulley

 

HISSIN50

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

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

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Jun 27, 2005

#25

• Jun 27, 2005

• #25

WantaGT said:

might sound like i'm pirating the thread but it has to do with higher output alternators. can you use them to up the charge when using underdrive pulleys? I have pulleys and the stock alternator isn't up to snuff for some of the stereo stuff i have PLUS headlights. sorry if i offend anyone by bringing up a tangent...

Click to expand...

Don't feel like you are 'pirating' at all. I never have issues with people asking stuff on threads, as long as it is sort of related to the topic at hand (I try to do the same when jacking a thread - it keeps threads going and might stimulate other related ideas).

With U/D's, a higher-output alternator still might not have a decent amperage output at idle (because of the U/D's and/or a really lowish idle setting, depending upon how the alt is regulated). Some folks choose to go with an overdrive alt pulley (ASP, et al) to get around this. I would caution that some alt warranties are affected by running an overdrive pulley.

Trent, thanks for the info (I kept seeing in small type under the alt descriptions that a pulley change was required. I thought that meant I had to reuse my old pulley, a la how most reman'd power steering pumps come).

With all these good ideas, I still have not decided which route to go. Go figure.

 

trents99

Founding Member

Jun 28, 2002

438

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Hampton, GA

Jun 27, 2005

#26

• Jun 27, 2005

• #26

I think some of the 3g sites advise a pulley change if you have a lot of accessories. IIRC they said that the stock pulley would still be under driven with a lot of load being pulled like stereos, lights, fans, etc.

I left the stock pulley on mine and have under drive crank and water pump pulleys. It looks like I might have to go to the next size smaller belt though soon.

 

HISSIN50

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

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Nov 29, 1999

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Jun 27, 2005

#27

• Jun 27, 2005

• #27

Thanks everyone!

I just ordered a 160 amp (70 at idle) unit from Alterstart. 135 bucks. Ill let ya know how it works.

 

04sleeper

Founding Member

Jun 22, 2002

2,674

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89

Dallas, TX

Jun 27, 2005

#28

• Jun 27, 2005

• #28

HISSIN50 said:

Kevin, do you know if the Duralast you used was a Gold unit (vs standard) and was it new or reman'd? I can only get a reman'd Non-Gold Durlast reman'd unit (150 bucks).

Click to expand...

Jt, it was a new Gold unit. The reman'd ones only came with a 1 year and the new ones came with a lifetime warranty.

 

HISSIN50

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Jun 27, 2005

#29

• Jun 27, 2005

• #29

89sleeper said:

Jt, it was a new Gold unit. The reman'd ones only came with a 1 year and the new ones came with a lifetime warranty.

Click to expand...

Thanks Kevin. It appears as though they now have the Reman'd unit for 150 (around here; prices are regional) with a LLT. The Gold is the one I was lookin at (I like new), but it is 180 bucks and special order.

If I could have gotten the unit you have for what you paid, I would have.

(I just posted that info for future searchers). Thanks again for the info.

 

twolo4u2c2

5 Year Member

Apr 10, 2003

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reading, PA

Jun 27, 2005

#30

• Jun 27, 2005

• #30

go the bone yard....10 bucks. hade mine 2 years.

 

04sleeper

Founding Member

Jun 22, 2002

2,674

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89

Dallas, TX

Jun 28, 2005

#31

• Jun 28, 2005

• #31

HISSIN50 said:

Thanks Kevin. It appears as though they now have the Reman'd unit for 150 (around here; prices are regional) with a LLT. The Gold is the one I was lookin at (I like new), but it is 180 bucks and special order.

If I could have gotten the unit you have for what you paid, I would have.

Click to expand...

Wow. You are right. I just checked my local store and now it's $180. Almost doubled in the last 5 years.

 

HISSIN50

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

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Nov 29, 1999

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Jun 28, 2005

#32

• Jun 28, 2005

• #32

Parts tend to do that. Once I saw that you had gotten it so long ago, I had a feeling.

I have LLT brake pads for a car I have had for about 15 years (since I was 13) and the pads are now almost 10 times the price I paid. They cringe whenever I go to get some new ones.

 

kornchild4life

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Mar 30, 2005

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islip, ny

Jun 28, 2005

#33

• Jun 28, 2005

• #33

I just upgraded to the 3g 130 amp and i think i spent like 60-70 bucks for the alt. and parts. Got my alt. from a junky and works fine, just doesnt look all brand new looking

 

HISSIN50

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

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Jun 29, 2005

#34

• Jun 29, 2005

• #34

I will get a J/Y 3G as a spare (two cars will have 3G's now), but I wanted a fresh one for the main alt. Heat really kills off the local alternators and batteries here (if a battery lasts 3 years, one has done well). Bike batteries are worse. Love the desert.

 

S

Scorcher2005

Member

Apr 17, 2004

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South Carolina

Jun 29, 2005

#35

• Jun 29, 2005

• #35

i have a re-man duralast 80amp from autozone. it was $80 - $40 core charge = $40.

 

HISSIN50

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Jun 29, 2005

#36

• Jun 29, 2005

• #36

Scorcher, If there were a deal like that, I would have JUMPED all over it. Then I would have gotten some for you guys too because we dont have deals like that here.