[camaroman7d]

I have a situation that leaves VERY little room for an alternator.I have been doing some research and have narrowed the choices down to either a "super mini" drag race alternator or a Geo Metro altenator. The drag race altenator comes in a 100AMP version while the Geo altenator is only a 50 AMP unit.

I drive a lot on the street, but I don't have a stereo, AC, power anything. I do have dual electric fans, eletronic ignition, electric fuel pump. Will th 50 AMP Geo altenator be enough to handle the load? Will the drag race altenator live on the street? Are there other options that I am missing?

After a little more research it looks like I will need more than 50 amps. Any opinions or suggestions?

[BOBCRMAN@aol.com]

Try one of the small Mitsubishi alternators, available in 100 amps.

[camaroman7d]

BOB,
Where would I find one of those? Meaning, you know how the parts stores are these days. I will need to know the make and model of the car or they won't be able to find anything. Maybe a Honda? I think I will run out to my local pick and pull and do a little climbing around.

[BOBCRMAN@aol.com]

Yes Honda's are a good source. So are the others(Toyota, Subaru, Nissan). Sorry I can't really tell any specific years or models. My parts guys are pro's that have been in the business since the 60's so I just tell them what I need and they go back and bring one off the shelf and nine times out of ten it's usable. Thats why I tell the guys on this forum to shop real auto parts stores, not the big franchises, if you are building something special where year make model and vin code are irrelevant.

[camaroman7d]

I hear ya Bob. We only have one "real" auto store in town the rest are the franchise type.

I just go t back from the wrecking yard and pulled two alternators. One from an Acura Legend with power everything and another from a Suzuki/geo type car. I think the one from the Acura will work. Once I figure out how and where to mount it I will take it to my local alternator/starter shop and have it checked out. for $23 I had to buy two, New they are $200. Hopefully they can pull it apart and I can polish the case.

Thanks for your input.

Royce

[camaroman7d]

Now I have a question, it has a lug for the battery cable and a plug with 4 wires (GM usually has two). Any idea how to connect this thing to my wiring harness? Of course I have the plug and wires, just need to know which ones I have to use and which ones need to be jumpered.


Thanks,
Royce

[akm]

is it low hood clearance?
someone makes an alternator bracket that sets it way down low on the drivers side.

[camaroman7d]

The problem was I have a blower on the engine, with the new short water pump my old home made mount (down low on the passenger side) would no longer work. I did not like any of the after market stuff (mounts way to high). I ended up making a mount for the drivers side (very low), but I also had to use a smaller alternator (steering arm and column wee interfering). I modified the steering shaft and now the alternator is mounted. I just need to figure out how to wire the darn thing and I am in business.

Thanks
Royce

[gt2betubbed]

Hey camaroman. I have the same issues as you with my alt. I bought a 100 amp GM 1 wire before I realized it though. By biggest prob is that I'm planning on running block plates instead of side mounts. My motor is high enough to just mount the alt REALLY low, but I was wondering if are running plates, or if you have any pics of what you are gonna run so I can get some ideas. I asked my Uncle, and he told me to just run it off the drive line since that's what he did, but just the thought of that makes me leary.

[camaroman7d]

I ended up taking an alternator off of a Acura Legend, it is a small Nippon Denso. I also ended up making my own mount, down low on the driver side. I have some pictures posted here: http://community.webshots.com/user/camaroman7d

Look in the album that says "New Engine" If you don't see what you need let me know and I will take a few pictures. As mentioned above there are a few places that make them, I just figured it would be less hassle to make my own. That way I could put it exactly where I wanted it.

Royce

Edit: The wiring was not a big deal either.

[turbotank]

Im using the same alternator on my setup. how did you wire it? thanks!