Upgrading Alternators?

[Safety Guy]

I don't have an "audio system" and I don't plan to have anything like that, so I don't want a better alternator for "entertainment," just maybe for better charging.

I think stock Festivas are 45 amps, right?

Are Aspires a little bit more? What would a 50 to 65 amp alternator do for me? Would it be worth it?

I'm also assuming more amps will take more friction from the crank. Am I right?

I'd probably upgrade Luxstiva (remember, she has the half size Odyssey battery in the back with 6 ga. wire for engine and ground connections), but when I do a B6 swap on my 5 speed, I'd probably stick with the stock alternator, for minimal power loss.

Ideas? Am I barking up the wrong tree here?

Karl

[packrat427]

Karl , under normal load I don't think it will pull any more unless you put it under a full load of somekind then it will make it pull harder on the crank.
It would be nice to have the extra capacity on hand if you needed it ,but if all the componets are workin fine now ,(regulator, diodes,rectifier), I don't think you will see a gain in ? as in brighter lights.

[Safety Guy]

Yep, you're probably right. I think maybe what would work better is a groundwire setup to "even out" the electrical loads. At least I think that's what that does.

I may eventually add driving or fog lights, a better radio (cassette or CD player, maybe slightly better speakers), electric mirrors, and a rechargeable flashlight to Lux. I doubt that would tax the stock alternator much, especially when I also plan to substitute some LEDs for regular bulbs one day.

I also want to do a nice custom LED setup in my spoiler. Maybe four to six red center brake light LEDs (getting rid of the stock 3rd brake light), three or four yellow turn signal LEDs per side (keeping the stock taillight bulbs if I can't replace them with LEDs), and perhaps, a pair of 3 to 5 watt LED white lights for extra lighting in reverse.

Karl

[Anonymous]

The aspire's is 60 and on the festiva it's 50. I'm using a festiva alternator on a aspire with no problems right now. I think the only difference would be the pulley because everything plugged right in. I'm going to try switching pulleys eventually installing the aspire alternator in a couple weeks. You won't see much mpg difference between a 50 and 60 now it was a 100 or 120 you would. You already have a awesome battery so I think you should be fine in that deparment. You only used 6gauge when relocating the battery? At minimum I would of used 4 guage, 2 gauge is the best. You start adding alot of resistance at those long lengths. I would upgrade all of those wires to 2 gauge and add some 2 gauge ground wires from the block to the chassis(i'm noticing a difference in the aspire after doing this) and if your worried add the aspire alternator.. but you don't have a pounding system but the higher gauge wires should be all you need to do. I have to ask how do you like the odyssey battery? I'm about add 2 1000 amps so my electrical problems are just about to start.

[packrat427]

That is a cool idea LED in the spoiler, my caddy has it all the way across the trunk ,I wonder what kind of a LED kit or 3 rd LED brake light would be close to adapt into it , I would hate to cut into my new spoiler and it not fit right as a whole , or if it would be better to drill holes and put them in individually

[25Horseplay]

I was looking at using a newer Taurus light out of the spoiler.

[Andrew]

Karl, I know all about LEDs for car lights--- PM me if you want to talk about them!

[Anonymous]

Just for your information... a few alternator choices. They have have the same mounting points... wiring couldn't tell ya.
Capri - 70amps
Escort GT/Protege - 65amps
626/Probe/MX6 -80amps

I didn't see any others that would work but most Mazda's look like they're 65-70. The B2200 alternator might be a good choice if adding a second.. it's 95 amps.

[FB71]

carbed festy = 45A
fi festy = 50A
aspire = 60A

60 is plenty for a stock festy / aspire with no additional electrical loads (power windows, etc)

[aithanmier]

it's hard to even find the protege in anything higher than 60 amp. most of the parts places only carry undercharging rebuilt units. they tune em down from the factory to cut down on warranty issues. i know there is a online alternator shop around that will custom wind any alternator to your output specs, can't recall the website though. try a google for custom alternator

[EVOGUN]

Mines like 85 stock.

Thanks :wink: