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Old 04-07-2006, 09:16 PM
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alternator upgrade

is there another alternator i can install to get more amps? im wanting to install a rather large sound system and i know this 60 amp isnt going to cut it. i know the quest alternator is 130amp could that be fited to the motor or no? i know it can on the VG motors.


and on an unrealted note is that injector fan really neccessary?
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Old 04-07-2006, 09:35 PM
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www.zspecialties.com

I don't know what the amps were on their alternator, but it's a direct bolt in swap.
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Old 04-07-2006, 10:24 PM
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Some would argue that you should keep the injector fan but I've never used one and I've never had any problems in that area. It's the first thing to get tossed cause it's ugly and obtrusive. There are plenty of other people here that can verify the claim that removing it doesn't have any ill effects. Something for you to think about: It ONLY operates when the engine is shut off and above a certain temperature.

And on the company linked above: They offer direct replacement alternators in 105 and 120 amps.
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Old 04-07-2006, 10:28 PM
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awsome, thanks for the info from both of you
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Old 04-08-2006, 12:52 AM
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apperantly a gm one wire alternator is a direct bolt on as well. i also took off my little ugly cooling fan.
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Old 04-08-2006, 01:02 PM
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im using a GM one wire and it hasnt failed me yet, but im planning on getting a 120 amp alternator though.
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Old 04-08-2006, 03:57 PM
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I've tossed the aux. fan on both of my Z's. I agree with everyone else in the sense that no harm really comes from doing this. Also it makes working on that side of the engine a lot easier.
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Old 04-09-2006, 10:41 AM
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hey hoov, what kind of car that alt. come from and do you have to modify the zeds wiring to make it work. and what about the pulley??
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Old 04-09-2006, 11:46 AM
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its just a standard GM one wire alt. im not sure on how i did the wiring though, but ill sneek a peak during lunch,
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Old 04-09-2006, 01:38 PM
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Originally Posted by hoov100zx
its just a standard GM one wire alt. im not sure on how i did the wiring though, but ill sneek a peak during lunch,
Yeah, I'm using the GM 1 wire as well. There isn't a spot for the alternator "charge light" wire, so just leave that unplugged. I had to modify the bottom bracket of the alternator to fit the Z bracket, but it was simple.
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Old 04-09-2006, 03:25 PM
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i can get a 200 amp modified one, yummy.
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Old 08-12-2008, 12:55 PM
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Originally Posted by hoov100
its just a standard GM one wire alt. im not sure on how i did the wiring though, but ill sneek a peak during lunch,
There isn't a "standard" GM alt. They have a different mounting "time" meaning the bolt holes are at different rotational locations in reference to the wire connector. This was extremely important on the old three wire alts because the connector that fits in the casing could end up in a bad location.
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Old 08-12-2008, 01:16 PM
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< cough ... super old thread ... cough >

GM 305-350 V8 "one wire" alternators.... those are the ones we are talking about.
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Old 08-12-2008, 05:23 PM
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Use the search get poked, don't use the search get poked. There's just no winning.

Now, tell me what you did to install your GM alt. Jeg's has a 100A that they claim kicks in at 880RPM.
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Old 08-12-2008, 07:15 PM
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no melting wires with these 100 150amp alternators
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Old 08-12-2008, 09:56 PM
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Originally Posted by CWHammer
Now, tell me what you did to install your GM alt. Jeg's has a 100A that they claim kicks in at 880RPM.
Cut the bottom bracket of the GM alternator to the same thickness as the 280zx one, swap pulleys, hook up power wire & ground wire, leave charge plug disconnected.

Since my engine is still on the stand, I'll take pics of it tomorrow for you.
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Old 08-13-2008, 01:53 AM
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Originally Posted by NismoPick
Cut the bottom bracket of the GM alternator to the same thickness as the 280zx one, swap pulleys, hook up power wire & ground wire, leave charge plug disconnected.

Since my engine is still on the stand, I'll take pics of it tomorrow for you.
Sweet I'm looking forward to it. By the way how's the re-re-build going? Will you be back to tearing up the roadways soon?
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Old 08-13-2008, 11:04 AM
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what cars over there came with the gm 1 wire? you say 305-350, does that include lsx series?
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Old 08-13-2008, 11:11 AM
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All F-bodies (Camaro / Trans Am / Firebird), Corvette, and I think the Caprice Classics too... w/ the fuel injection motors. I told the parts guys I wanted an alternator from an 89 Camaro (I think...).
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Old 08-13-2008, 11:34 AM
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Originally Posted by NismoPick
All F-bodies (Camaro / Trans Am / Firebird), Corvette, and I think the Caprice Classics too... w/ the fuel injection motors. I told the parts guys I wanted an alternator from an 89 Camaro (I think...).
I looked them up for an 88 Monte. The factory one is 94A which should be more than enough. I didn't get the idle current though. I have to believe that it's better than the stock Z alt. I have to go througgh the garage I know I have and old Z alt and I should have an old GM one too. I'll see what it takes to mount that puppy!
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Old 08-13-2008, 09:52 PM
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Here ya go:









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Old 08-14-2008, 06:41 AM
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Looks like that says Duralast DL7140M on the sticker. Now that makes it easy. What did you use to make the two piece pulley? The front looks like the cover of the idler pulley. She's looking good by the way. How long before you're done?
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Old 08-14-2008, 01:27 PM
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That's the stock 280zx alternator pulley... it's 2 pieces. And I'll be installing the motor tonight / Saturday.
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Old 09-03-2008, 08:34 AM
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Picked up my new alt on Fri. I got the CS130 style rated at 105A. I had an extra upper bracket and straightened it out so I won't have to grind away the lower mount. I get to keep the lifetime warranty that way. If I have to drill a new hole because of length I'll be happy. I can't wait to get this done my alt doesn't charge so well and I can take it back to get a refund since it had a lifetime warranty too.

LYK how it turns out.
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Old 07-16-2009, 09:38 AM
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Has anyone had issues with belt squeal due to the increased load on the V-belt? If so, was anything done to resolve the issue other than tightening of the belt or belt dressing?
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