alternator - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**53burb** · 07-12-2004, 01:11 PM

I am going to be replacing my alternator soon. Does anybody know of the highest amperage alternator I can get from AutoZone or Checkers that will mount up w/o any modifications?? I currently have a 350 with a 60 AMP alternator. I don't have a high power stereo or power accessories, I would just like the additional amps...

JimKshortstep4x4 · 07-15-2004, 06:31 AM

I believe that the 61 Amp alternator is the max that will bolt in and hookup to the existing wiring assuming you have the original setup with a regulator.

If you want to do the rewiring, the internal regulated alternators make for an easy upgrade to a higher amperage. You will want to make sure that the wiring going back to the battery is large enough and address the problem of your ammeter being too small.(If you have factory gauges).

Jim

**53burb** · 07-15-2004, 09:17 AM

I thought that the alternator I currently have is an SI alternator. I may be wrong though. Did '69s have an external regulator. If it is an internal, I believe I can use a 94 AMP alternator from a '85 Camaro 305G. Is it worth the extra money (40$) to do this if I have yet to install any power accessories??

JimKshortstep4x4 · 07-20-2004, 11:54 AM

The 69's had an external alternator but someone may have changed yours.
We don't use alternators larger than 61 amps because of the wiring issues and we don't really have the requirements for a larger ammeter.

Jim

**53burb** · 07-20-2004, 12:20 PM

Mine is an externally regulated unit. I took a closer look. Will the stock wiring handle a 63 AMP unit, much less a 94AMP??

68 Suburban · 07-20-2004, 01:47 PM

I am running a 130 amp, 1 wire alt. Easy hook up.

**53burb** · 07-20-2004, 04:10 PM

Other than the modifications you made, is the wiring ok??Can the ampere gauge handle a 63 or 94 AMP alternator w/o a problem??

JimKshortstep4x4 · 07-21-2004, 07:13 AM

The ammeter can handle the 61 amp alternator, but I would be concerned about the 94 amp alternator.

With a 94 amp alternator or larger, you will want to increase the wire size going back to the battery. I would be looking at a #6 or larger if you go more than 94 amps. If you do what Christopher did, (one wire), you can route a separate large wire directly to the battery.

Instead of an ammeter, you can install a volt meter.

Jim

**53burb** · 07-21-2004, 01:31 PM

So would a regular 63AMP SI alternator be ok with the stock wiring & I did the conversion??

JimKshortstep4x4 · 07-22-2004, 08:16 AM

Yes, It should work with no problems.

Jim

**53burb** · 07-22-2004, 09:17 AM

Thanks for your help....

07-12-2004, 01:11 PM	#1
53burb Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Queen Creek, AZ Posts: 1,010	alternator I am going to be replacing my alternator soon. Does anybody know of the highest amperage alternator I can get from AutoZone or Checkers that will mount up w/o any modifications?? I currently have a 350 with a 60 AMP alternator. I don't have a high power stereo or power accessories, I would just like the additional amps...

07-15-2004, 06:31 AM	#2
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	I believe that the 61 Amp alternator is the max that will bolt in and hookup to the existing wiring assuming you have the original setup with a regulator. If you want to do the rewiring, the internal regulated alternators make for an easy upgrade to a higher amperage. You will want to make sure that the wiring going back to the battery is large enough and address the problem of your ammeter being too small.(If you have factory gauges). Jim

07-15-2004, 09:17 AM	#3
53burb Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Queen Creek, AZ Posts: 1,010	I thought that the alternator I currently have is an SI alternator. I may be wrong though. Did '69s have an external regulator. If it is an internal, I believe I can use a 94 AMP alternator from a '85 Camaro 305G. Is it worth the extra money (40$) to do this if I have yet to install any power accessories??

07-20-2004, 11:54 AM	#4
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	The 69's had an external alternator but someone may have changed yours. We don't use alternators larger than 61 amps because of the wiring issues and we don't really have the requirements for a larger ammeter. Jim

07-20-2004, 12:20 PM	#5
53burb Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Queen Creek, AZ Posts: 1,010	Mine is an externally regulated unit. I took a closer look. Will the stock wiring handle a 63 AMP unit, much less a 94AMP??

07-20-2004, 01:47 PM	#6
68 Suburban Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: From Chicago, Live in Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,802	I am running a 130 amp, 1 wire alt. Easy hook up. __________________ Just sitting here contemplating contemplation.

07-20-2004, 04:10 PM	#7
53burb Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Queen Creek, AZ Posts: 1,010	Other than the modifications you made, is the wiring ok??Can the ampere gauge handle a 63 or 94 AMP alternator w/o a problem??

07-21-2004, 07:13 AM	#8
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	The ammeter can handle the 61 amp alternator, but I would be concerned about the 94 amp alternator. With a 94 amp alternator or larger, you will want to increase the wire size going back to the battery. I would be looking at a #6 or larger if you go more than 94 amps. If you do what Christopher did, (one wire), you can route a separate large wire directly to the battery. Instead of an ammeter, you can install a volt meter. Jim

07-21-2004, 01:31 PM	#9
53burb Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Queen Creek, AZ Posts: 1,010	So would a regular 63AMP SI alternator be ok with the stock wiring & I did the conversion??

07-22-2004, 08:16 AM	#10
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Yes, It should work with no problems. Jim

07-22-2004, 09:17 AM	#11
53burb Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Queen Creek, AZ Posts: 1,010	Thanks for your help....



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