[jprix]

Are there any better alternator options for the sbc? Would the CS-144 bolt right up?

I already have the serp belt conversion.

[mud.man.rj]

Yes it still bolts up especially if you had the 10si small case factort alt. Just get the straight across mount style.

[75gmck25]

How much amperage do you need? The 94 amp 12si is a direct replacement for a 10si, and all you have to do is add a larger gauge charge wire. The CS series is also fairly easy, but you have to switch the plug on the wiring to the CS style.

Bruce

[jprix]

Not sure how many amps I really need but I have a electric fan which will draw more than the average amperage.

What cars came stock with the 12si? Are the cases the same size?

[75gmck25]

They switched to the 12si in 83. The cases and mountings are the same size, and they come with either the v-belt or the serpentine pulley. Some later 12si's use a metric bolt to hold the belt tension, but I just picked one up at Lowes. The pivot bolt threads into the engine, so it does not need to be changed. I made a direct swap on my truck, and upgraded the charge wire from 10 to 8 gauge to account for the extra amperage.

This article has some useful info.
http://www.madelectrical.com/electri...elcoremy.shtml

Bruce

[fast68]

you could do what i did and it was easy

i stuck a 20002 taurus alt on i had laying around from a taurus we cut up and scrapped last spring


now its putting out 14.6 volts and omg the engine cranks over crazy fast and headlight low beams are like highs

the cs130 was not a great alternator at all

when i had an 88 toyota pickup wirh 22re in it for four years i stuck a 70s chevy alt on it

same deal, super bright lights and the local battery shop loved it too.


then when i took my chevy up there with this taurus alt on it as soon as he lifted the hood up he was like wow what did you do here?

lol.

whenever i need an alternator upgrade on anything i just use whatever i have laying around that i know is gonna put out more power than i had,

[jprix]

Originally Posted by fast68

you could do what i did and it was easy

i stuck a 20002 taurus alt on i had laying around from a taurus we cut up and scrapped last spring

now its putting out 14.6 volts and omg the engine cranks over crazy fast and headlight low beams are like highs

Wow that thought crossed my mind. The Ford 3g alt from a 93-99 taurus are cheap and common at my local pick and pull. I fabbed one up to fit on my bronco.

Im going to take that off and see what it would take to run on my sbc.

Thanks for the idea.If its more work than I wanna do,ill just simple run a 12si alt.

[kc8oye]

i swapped my old externally regulated gm alternator for a 10si

when that became an issue with the electric fans, I swapped in a CS-130 from my 89 cutlass that got wrecked. it just happened to have the 180° mounting lugs. it bolted right in, BUT the cs-130 is actully a little bit smaller then a 10si, i had put my weight down on the upper alternator bracket to get the holes to line up.. and use a metric bolt for the adjuster. but it charges like a son of a gun.. no problems putting out 13.8v with the electric fans and heater, and lights on at an idle. and I even put my v-belt pulley on it. tho I am seeing signs of it slipping.. the cs130 really needs a poly-v belt.

Pic of my CS130 installed

[veltboy314]

I used the CS-144 alternator with a small turnbuckle from Lowes to mount it since the alt bracket I had wouldnt fit! I haven't had a problem out of it at all. I love the fact that my volt gauge is still reading 14.5 volts at idle with my headlights, dual electric fans on. When the stock alt was on I was reading below 10 volts & most of the time I would have to jump start the car... Not anymore!!!

[kc8oye]

If i had actully BOUGHT an alternator I woulda gone with the CS144 too.. but since I HAD the cs130 .. i figured.. why not?

Courtesy of my drunk neighbor.
Thank GOD that car was having MAF sensor issues and I decided to take my '72 to work!!!

[jprix]

Originally Posted by veltboy314

I used the CS-144 alternator with a small turnbuckle from Lowes to mount it since the alt bracket I had wouldnt fit!

What do you mean by turnbuckle? Are you referring to the peice that replaced your big alt bracket? If not where can I find that?

[jprix]

I think i found what your talking about.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_226351-1277-...t%3Dturnbuckle

How does it work?

[DOCTOR DC]

RUN A CS130 ON OUR STREET CHEVELLE. lights, fans, pumps all on....still 14.2 volts at idle .(1200 rpm) run a 2 inche gilmer belt pulley and the stock mounts

[veltboy314]

Originally Posted by jprix

I think i found what your talking about.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_226351-1277-...t%3Dturnbuckle

How does it work?

Yeah that's the one I used. While I was there I bought some washers, a couple nuts, a couple bolts to go through the hole on the water pump & the hole in the alternator. Mounted it & tightened it up

[jprix]

I learned the hard way that the Cs 144 requires a resistor on the sense wire. I didnt know and hooked it up to 12v and fried it. Gotta grab another one.

What kind and what ohm resistors did you guys use to get your Cs 130 or 144 alts working?