Marks70Vette

Can I change the alternator from the stock 61 amp to a 100 amp without any other modifications or setting myself up for more headaches tht I don't need.

Diode

The real question is why do you want to do this? 61 amps is plenty already. Are you running extra lights or equipment that's drawing a lot of current (amps)?

Greg

Or a HUGE boom box stereo/amp/subwoofer!

Larry B.

Watch it when changing alternators. Corvette alternators are not just Chevy alternators. The crank pulley on Corvetts is smaller so the alternator turns slower. If you use a generic unit you may not have enough charge rate at idle with lights, A/C and blower on. Even a 100 amp alternator won't help. Corvettes use a different alternator that's better at low speed. Most parts houses list them as "one size fits all" Delco does not.

Rowdy Rat

Mark,

If you do decide to change to a higher amp alternator, and get rid of your old one, let me know... I'd be happy to take it off of your hands for the right price.

Regards,

Crickett

I've got a 140amp alt on mine that works well. But I also have custom speakers, amps, sub and CD player to run.

OHSIXX

80 amp does it for me, but I have no special equipment requiring more.


BTW, just noticed this was your first post, so welcome to CF! :cheers:


[Modified by OHSIXX, 7:45 PM 7/29/2003]

Marks70Vette

Thanks to all for the welcomes and responses. I should have supplied some additional info as to why I was changing the alt. and increasing the amps. I am looking to switch to a chrome alt, and have only found a 100 amp/chrome alt for sale from the various corvette part catalogs (ecklers etc...) I do have a stereo drawing some additional amps. Plus I am also getting some slow cranking and alot of whinning from the stereo, which i believe is from the alternator as well. Thanks again for everyones input.

Diode

140 amps!? Yikes! That's 2000 watts of power! Those must be some big amplifiers (or a sub woofer the size of Cleveland) :troll

Diode

Whining from the stereo?? I usually get that from my wife! :lolg:

71406

Now I know why my non-Delco rebuild is not working as well as it should at idle. But I did notice that my orignial alternator has a 2.5 inch pulley while the generic 63 amp rebuild has a 2.75. While I'll put the smaller pulley on the rebuild and expect an improvement, I wonder if that is the only difference in the alternators. If true, a generic alternator using the smaller OE pulley should provide the low RPM output required. Are you aware of any other mods inside the orignal to give it more output at idle? Thanks for the great post! :thumbs:

Larry B.

I believe that the Corvette alternator has more windings. I never measured the pulley although I should have. It's been awhile since I went through all of that so..... There probably are a few other difference. There was a topic about this a few weeks ago. Not putting out enough amperage at idle seem so be pretty common especially on automatics.

BB wowbagger

Will the org ammeter work on a aftermarket alternator?

Larry B.

Ammeters show rate of charge, or discharge. So it will work fine as long as yo don't pull a huge amount of amps at diacharge you will be ok.

Jughead

Guess I'll have to change my name?? :confused:

foundvettelifeisgood

Len,

What a difference a space makes. Doesn't seem right to me.

You lived up to your title as a thread killer. :lol:

Jvette73

I replaced my stock alt with a 100amp crome unit and it caused one minor side effect. On the ammeter, with the stock unit it used to rest in the center with the engine not running. After installing the 100amp unit it no longer rests in the center. It still works and reacts as it should to load and whatnot. But when you shut the car off it rests slightly to the right of center. I guess the higher amp alt tweeked it a bit.