Alternator Alternatives

[DaRoaster]

I did a GM 1-wire alternator conversion on my 1600. It has been working properly; however, it is so large that it sits right in front of the outlet for the water pump (or is it an inlet). The hose rests against the bracket for the alternator. This isn't an issue on the 2000s because there is enough room to route hose around the bracket and alternator. Here's the question:
Can anyone recommend a smaller alternator with a high output like the GM. It also ought to have the correct pulley, not one for a serpentine belt.

[shifty]

I'm planning on hunting through the boneyards. Likely candidates are Mazda and Ford small pickups from the 80's. Perhaps later 310/510s or 70's Honda?

[greydog]

How about this one?
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PWM-8-881/?rtype=7" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Dan

[Daryl Smith]

Some very good information and suggestions in this thread:
http://311s.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f= ... alternator" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Swapping the serpentine pulley for a V-belt pulley shouldn't be that hard to do. I did it on the CS-130 GM alternator I used, and can't imagine that you couldn't find a v-belt pulley to fit just about any other alternator, including the small Justy alt.

While I have no problems with the CS-130, going to a smaller/lighter alternator (as long as power output is adequate) is always good for performance. Dropping weight is the same as adding horsepower.

[fj20spl311]

smaller/lighter alternator (as long as power output is adequate) is always good for performance. Dropping weight is the same as adding horsepower.

IMHO, the draw on the engine from an alt. is proportional to the output and not the weight. Less weight does help, but not as much as less draw.

Maybe I should have skipped lunch.......

[Daryl Smith]

"IMHO, the draw on the engine from an alt. is proportional to the output and not the weight. Less weight does help, but not as much as less draw."

Absolutely! But, given the same draw, whichever alternator is used, a lighter alternator will let you accelerate a tiny bit faster, or save you a tiny bit of gas.

Take that thru the car with a lighter battery, compact spare, monoleaf springs. etc., etc., and the small weight savings here and there can add up to a noticeable difference. An electric fan takes load off the engine, and drops weight...bonus savings!

[DEUCE]

Just another idea/option: Ours is positioned on passenger/battery side and it is gm one wire......Peace

[gboone]

An electric fan takes load off the engine, and drops weight...bonus savings!

An electric fan does take load off the engine on one hand, but it adds load to the alternator on the other hand. I did an experiment on the dyno. Did a run with electric fan turned off, then the next run (with no other changes) with the fan running, and the running fan cost me 5 horsepower.

[fj20spl311]

An electric fan takes load off the engine, and drops weight...bonus savings!

An electric fan does take load off the engine on one hand, but it adds load to the alternator on the other hand. I did an experiment on the dyno. Did a run with electric fan turned off, then the next run (with no other changes) with the fan running, and the running fan cost me 5 horsepower.

Hook the relay to your brake light switch and add a bypass switch to your thermo switch.

Alternator braking!!!!

[tjp]

[quote="greydog"]How about this one?
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PWM-8-881/?rtype=7" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

For $351 + shipping? I think I'll pass.

[Daryl Smith]

I was going to add " when it's not running" to the above post......

Fortunately, an electric fan doesn't run constantly like the water pump mounted fan, and from most accounts the water pump mounted fan costs you about 5 hp 100% of the time. (when the electric fan is running you still have the weight savings.....)

Was that 5 hp accross the rpm range (expected) or just 5 peak hp?

"For $351 + shipping? I think I'll pass. "
That looks like the CS-130 that I got (different ear configuration) from the wreckers for $25 plus $2 for a v belt pulley from another alternator......... The smaller Justy or other alternators would be the same price.
Has anyone tried mounting the small justy alt. to an R16 or U20?

[gboone]

I was going to add " when it's not running" to the above post......

Fortunately, an electric fan doesn't run constantly like the water pump mounted fan, and from most accounts the water pump mounted fan costs you about 5 hp 100% of the time. (when the electric fan is running you still have the weight savings.....)

Was that 5 hp accross the rpm range (expected) or just 5 peak hp?

I didn't get a printout for every run for that session and don't recall. My guess is peak hp.

[greydog]

How about this one?
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PWM-8-881/?rtype=7" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

For $351 + shipping? I think I'll pass.

Yikes !!! That'll teach me to look at the price.
Dan

[Lee2000]

If it takes 5 hp to run the (constant RPM) fan, then that 5 hp would be "drained" from the engine anytime the fan is running, regardless of engine speed. However, it is entirely possible the alternator would not produce that much power at lower engine speeds so the battery would be supplying the shortfall. But the alt. would still have to "make-up" for the energy drain from the battery for some time after the fan has stopped. Ya gotta put the juice back into the system. Fan clutches were invented to reduce engine load when a fan was not needed, and to reduce noise as well.

I went with a three wire GM alt on my 2000, mounted on the pass side, using home-made bracketry. The sensing wire option was the reason for the choice of the 3-wire over the 1-wire. Worth considering.

[DEUCE]

I went with a three wire GM alt on my 2000, mounted on the pass side, using home-made bracketry. The sensing wire option was the reason for the choice of the 3-wire over the 1-wire. Worth considering.

Please briefly elaborate, thank you......