Power Wire Upgrade w/ Alternator Install

[foxbodyrules]

Hey all,
I installed an aftermarket alternator tonight and I had some questions. The alternator is made by OE Plus ( www.oeplus.com ) and it's a 100 amp alt. I bought the PA Performance Power Wire Upgrade Kit as well. We tried to find a place for the Power Wire Kit to hook to the alternator but it was just a clip sort of.. there wasn't a place to hook into the alternator. Now i'm almost positive that you have to upgrade the power wire when you upgrade the alt. amperage. I was just confused as to why the PA Performance kit wouldn't work.. the only reason I could think of was that the alternator wasn't made by PA Performance. The Alternator I bought came with a paper that said "Every time a Ford IAR alternator is replaced, a new alternator-to-wiring harness plug must be used." Is that like the same thing as the Power Wire Kit? I'm just confused as to where to connect the Power wire on the alternator... If the alternator will be ok without the power wire upgrade kit.. then i have less worrying to do. I just wanna make sure everything is safe- if anyone can tell me where to hook the power wire to the alternator.. or if it's not even needed, that would be great, thanks!

 

[Insane3D]

It sounds like the alternator you got is not a 3G unit, but just a OEM replacement for the 87-93 Mustangs. Are you sure it's a "100A" unit?

Can you take a picture or describe the connections?

 

[foxbodyrules]

I'm sure that's probably it.. probably not a 3G unit. Sorry! So the PA Performance kit won't work.. and I have to get some other upgrade? Or is it going to be fine without the upgrade?

 

[Insane3D]

You have a couple of options. Assuming it really is a 100A unit, you probably will be fine with the stock wiring. Does it have the same connections that the factory alternator did?

You "could" modify the PA harness and splice on the stock connector, but I wouldn't advise it. Also, that PA harness has a 200A fuse in it which is probably way to high a rating for a stock replacement.

Since you already bought the PA wiring harness, I would suggest you return that alternator, and go to the local parts store and get a alternator for a '94- '95 GT/Cobra. A new one will run ~$180, and rebuilts will be less. With a true 3G, you could use the PA harness no problem.

Can you return that one?

 

[foxbodyrules]

Well.. no I was an idiot and installed it already.. soo looks like i'm gonna go with option one.. as long as it is safe. All the connections were the same.. the only difference is the new one was like 180 degrees opposite of the stock one.. actually it wasn't stock it was a ford motorcraft remanufactured one which i didn't realize. I bought it at salvo auto parts, the guy told me it was 100 amps so I'm pretty sure it's 100A. Thanks for your help.. i just wanna be safe.

 

[Insane3D]

No problem...

Just an FYI though...if it's a remanufactured Ford one, then it's probably still only a 75A unit...even though the guy said it was 100A.