130 amp alt... Can you get one from a wrecking yard?

[jackchan]

Just wondering if any of you had installed a more powerful alt. On your Fox 5.0, from say something like a taurus or another ford automobile. If so show some pics, give some details.......thanks
Jack

 

[HISSIN50]

Might want to try a search. Either one on here or on the internet might be quite revealing.

Monte Smith's article mentions some info on what cars had what.

Good luck.

 

[demongtgirl]

You can find them fairly cheap on ebay w/ wiring harness included. Plan to switch my stock alternator over to a 130amp next spring, so I've been looking.

 

[jrichker]

Been thare & done that... Works good and isn't hard to do...


Here's websites with pictures of the 3G installation...

See http://www.geocities.com/smithmonte/Auto/3G_130A_Alternator_Upgrade.htm - all the tech data you could ever want to know
OR
http://www.mustangcentral.net/tech/alternator.html - excellent pictures of installation

Use these sites for information on the right way to do the wiring. Some people will tell you that you can skip the wiring upgrade, but it will catch up with you sooner or later. A fire in the wiring harness is ugly and expensive.

b]Under no circumstances connect the two 10 gauge black/white wires to the 3G alternator. You will have fused the circuit to pass 190-215 amps (125-150 amps depending on fuse size for the 4 gauge main and 65 amps for the two 10 gauge wires). The resultant overcurrent capacity can make a nasty fire if the alternator develops a full internal short to ground.[/b]

Electric fan = 3G alternator if you want long life & reliability from your car.
The electric fan saves some HP. The stock fan's parasitic drag runs from 7-12 HP depending on who you talk to. The electric fan uses about 1/2 HP of power from the electrical system.

Figure this:
Ignition system & computer = 12 amps
Fuel pump = 12 amps
Exterior lights = 15 amps
Fan (heater or A/C) = 15 amps (can run between 5-25 amps depending on setting)
Radio & instruments = 10 amps
Wipers = 10 amps

That's grand total of 74 amps from a 65 amp alternator. Talk about overdrawn at the bank!

See WWW.partsexpress.com for the fuse & fuse holder.
Fuse @ $3.90 each (need one) http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=071-952

Fuseholder @ $5.80 each (need one) http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=263-630

4 gauge black wire @ $1.25 a foot (use string to lay out routing & determine length) http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=100-196

4 gauge red wire @ $1.25 a foot (use string to lay out routing & determine length) http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=100-194

4 gauge ring crimp terminals (package of 5) $3.25. http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=095-584

Don’t forget the alternator power ground!!!
The secondary power ground is between the back of the intake manifold and the driver's side firewall. It is often missing or loose. It supplies ground for the alternator, A/C compressor clutch and other electrical accessories such as the gauges. Any car that has a 3G alternator needs a 4 gauge ground wire running from the block to the chassis ground where the battery pigtail ground connects.

 

[HISSIN50]

FWIW, I followed Joe's above write-up to a tee and it works great.

I will add that if you use bulk cable to make the power ground upgrade, you need a second bag of ring terminals (I used 4 on the fused power cable and needed two for the power ground, ergo 6 are needed).

And grab some large heat shrink if you dont have any. I used some 3M stuff on sale and it worked quite well.

Good luck.

 

[sgarlic]

Definately worth the swap. I paid $30 bucks for my 3g alternator and then bought the wiring kit from PA Performance.

 

[jackchan]

again thanks goes out to "tech man" jrichker!

great links and info. thanks all
I'll be doing the upgrade soon on my car.
Jack

 

[5.0nmalecek]

an alternator from a ford taurus wont work I tried to use it but it was an inch or two too big. idk maybe you will find one that will work but i suggest you just stick with finding one from a 94-95 mustang

 

[Mustang5L5]

I have one from a '95 GT on my car.

$30 and $10 in wiring materials and it was installed.

 

[HISSIN50]

an alternator from a ford taurus wont work I tried to use it but it was an inch or two too big. idk maybe you will find one that will work but i suggest you just stick with finding one from a 94-95 mustang

How was it too big? Had you already clearanced the alt bracket/cradle?

Good luck.

 

[Vinnietbird]

I got mine from the Taurus with the 3.0 engine.

 

[srothfuss]

I got my 3G off of eBay for $31.00 with the factory harness. (It'll be delivered today) The seller, midwestmustangs, has them listed all of the time for very cheap.

I purchased all of my wiring supplies from a local stereo shop

Now, I just have to install all of the plus my e-fan and dc controller over the weekend...

 

[5.0tbirdguy]

Mine came from a '99 Mustang 3.8 liter. $25.00 each so I bought a spare. Smaller pulley with my u/d crank pulley and it puts out 130a @ idle and 200a @ 2000 rpm.