Alternator Swaps Anyone??? Options

[rkelly_83543]

I want to do a high output alternator for my ’94 Celica GT. I have already done a ton of research before coming to this conclusion. Here is my issue…THERE FREEKIN’ EXPENSIVE!!! So after more research I discovered a couple of possible solutions that wouldn’t cost a boat load of money. The problem? I can’t find any information of whether or not anyone has ever done this with our car.

Option #1 140 Amps
Swap a GM CS144 alternator into the car and modify the mounting to make it fit. Also, I would have to modify the wiring of course to make it work. This bad boy is big though and I am worried about the clearance behind the alternator as there is not much room between the alternator and the heat shield for the headers (stock config).

Option #2 120 Amps
Try an alternator from a Lexus (since Toyota make would probably do better). I have no idea if this would fit or even if the plugs are different. I was considering maybe an alternator from a ’94 Lexus SC400.

With both of these options, I don’t want to end up staring at a battery light on my dash. I was to make everything mesh with the electrical system as best as possible. Even though I’m from Idaho doesn’t mean that I was my car to look like it!
So what do you guys think? Is it possible to do without a bunch of mods? I live in a condo so I am not able to weld or fab anything.
Thanks for your input!

[bmj67]

Easy swap since you have a manual is to get the gt alt for the auto. It has 80 amps. or http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...em=160445285160

[Driver]

A higher output alternator is good for just replenishing the electrical demands faster right? It wouldn't fry anything if I were to bolt this on? Unless it were defective or something...

[stephen_lee]

I was looking into the cs144 but never did it

[stephen_lee]

I was looking into the cs144 but never did it

[soulshadow]

Have you tried the huge capacitors for stereo systems? Its got the same concept even if you don't have an amp. At high demends the cap will discharge for your power needs and when your not using them it will charge again like a battery. It won't drain your battery like a mofo since it holds charge.

This post has been edited by soulshadow: Apr 25, 2011 - 10:33 AM

[rkelly_83543]

I am not looking to do caps because I do not want to add another battery to charge. I am also looking for more than a 10A increase but thanks for the auto alt suggestion. The only one I can find that has been done is the GM alt but I don't want to look at a battery light all the time. Keep the ideas coming, I want to hear more! This must be Celi taboo since I have seen threads on this before and no one got answers!

[celica-s]

I was told that the RAV4 alternator are good upgrade for our celicas. It has higher rating.

hth

[delusionz]

1 or 2 Farad Cap will have u covered for a 1000W system

that and having good wiring, good grounds, hell if you need to you can rewire your head lights so they dont dim.

a 500 - 600 CCA battery will also help

This post has been edited by delusionz: May 30, 2011 - 4:10 PM

[trdproven]

OUr stock alternator won't be able to charge that battery and the capacitor at the same time, efficiently. the capicator steals power purges it for the bass and starts stealing faster than your actual battery charges. it may be ok if you don't always play your bass to let it charge though. I had to get a 2nd optima because of it and removed my cap.

[mgnt232]

if you had the ST i would sell you my mechman HO alt (250 amp) i dont think it will work with the gt though. But yeah as said, a capacitor really doesnt truly do anything, especially on a stock charging system. The stock alt, is meant to put out enough to run the car lol, not meant to have another 100 amp drain on it. Do the big 3 and get a new alt. it wont fry anything, or at least mine hasnt.

[trdproven]

stick with the big 3 and HO Alt

http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=79473

This post has been edited by trdproven: Jun 1, 2011 - 4:55 PM

[d3ath2009]

if you know somebody thats good with rebuilding alt, then you could just have them rebuild it and beef it up a little.. mine went out last summer from sound system and i just had it rebuilt. the guy later told me he wouldve added a larger rectifier (i think) had he known i was running a sound system.. that way you would still have the alt made to fit your car and it would be stronger than original

This post has been edited by d3ath2009: Jun 2, 2011 - 1:48 PM

[delusionz]

The idea of a cap is to take excess power from the highs and feed it on the lows giving you a more constant ~13v.

That's a given if your music collection consists of low frequency test tracks, and you listen to it at max volume and max gain the entire time you drive, your stock charging system wont keep up. Personally I'd find that a little irritating so I don't drive like that.

The only charging your battery should need is whatever it used to crank the starter motor and to replenish the very very low drain of an alarm/immobiliser system and to keep your clock, radio, ecu settings, etc..

I certainly noticed an improvement by adding a cap to an entirely stock wiring on a previous Celica, when the bass thumped the headlights no longer dimmed. This was with a 1000W amp and a Pioneer 1200W dual voice coil 12" sub.

This post has been edited by delusionz: Jun 1, 2011 - 7:48 PM