Pros and Cons of switching to higher amp alternator.

chromebumpers

solid fixture here in the forum
Staff member
This subject came up in the past (a couple years ago), but
I can't find it now.
I seem to remember there is an upgrade from the standard base alternator for a 70s sbc to one of much higher amperage. Is it true to some extent that the the high amp alt. will make the ignition run better?
 
I swapped the O.E.M. corvette, alternator out , for a 200 amp alternator,
in my 1996 corvette and Ive done the same thing on at least 7-8 other cars.....
I can,t think of ANY downside, the ignition and fans seem to run better, in each case.

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/msd-6al2-programmable-dead.8817/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ans-cooler-on-a-c4-corvette.10514/#post-70073

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ood-alternator-putting-out-low-voltage.12221/




 
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It has a larger case, but with minor modifications for mounting it, a CS-144 alternator is a kick-a$$ unit.
 
What cars (years and so on) came with a CS-144? What has to be done to the wire harness?
 
Well, I upgraded my 95 GMC K1500 truck from the CS-130 it came with to the CS-144.
The larger case required a simple bracket modification.
Serpentine belt driven, but you can always swap pulleys for v-belt.
And you have to change the connector that plugs into the side.
You might have to re-clock the case if you need the output lug to be in a different place.
These alternators put out 140-200 amps. You might want to run a heavier gauge wire
from the post to the battery or junction block. That's it.
From Jegs:
Powermaster GM CS144 Style Alternators have a straight across ear mounting configuration
that is 7.2" center-to-center between the mounting ears. This is only 5/8" wider than the earlier
10SI, 12SI, and CS-130 series so, if you do not have a fixed mounting bracket, it will make a great
high output upgrade for those alternators. Made in the U.S.A.
http://www.jegs.com/p/Powermaster/Powermaster-GM-CS144-Style-Alternators/1534945/10002/-1

Here is an application guide: https://www.powermastermotorsports.com/PMappGuideEbook.pdf
 
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Thanks for all the good information guys. I'm making my wish list now for later upgrades.
Trying to budget out some small ideas as I still have interest but I have some high co-pays from the hospital and still more to come for knee replacements coming up.
 
I was just wondering if I really need to go up to 200 amps or if 170 will do just fine. Could I find one of these at a junkyard? What cars (Camaro?) have them?
 
Lol! I ask for a lot of details because I have a load of Stuff" that sounded like a great idea, but I found out later I wouldn't have got involved had I knew more - just ask me about the pretty 454 sitting in a corner and not finding out until later a truck 454 makes a whole different story!
 
Lol! I ask for a lot of details because I have a load of Stuff" that sounded like a great idea, but I found out later I wouldn't have got involved had I knew more - just ask me about the pretty 454 sitting in a corner and not finding out until later a truck 454 makes a whole different story!

Good for boat anchor or Pulling Truck. Lots of torque.
 
I ran across this alt. Will this work on a 68 Pontiac 400? What about an early 70's 350? Good deal?
 
there are NO chevy 454 engines that can not be used as a base start point, yes there are far better versions ,but even the lower hp versions can produce respectable power....and yes as always the results are mostly dependent on your skills and bank balance

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...-peanut-port-big-block-combo.2900/#post-61085

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...54-bbc-engine-have-any-power-potential.12343/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...a-1970-era-bbc-engine-build.13073/#post-68082
 
there are NO chevy 454 engines that can not be used as a base start point, yes there are far better versions ,but even the lower hp versions can produce respectable power....and yes as always the results are mostly dependent on your skills and bank balance

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...-peanut-port-big-block-combo.2900/#post-61085

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...54-bbc-engine-have-any-power-potential.12343/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...a-1970-era-bbc-engine-build.13073/#post-68082
Had a Generac Generator 454 engine that ran on Natural Gas and had caught fire. Pulled engine and added a Quadrajet carb and it ran fine. Had 185HP and 465 Lbs of torque.
Sold to a joung kid that put it in a pulling truck that would pull anything until the wheels broke loose and started spinning.
Wish I'd kept it, but he had more money than sense.
 
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