Swapping the internals of an alternator

[nick88]

Hey guys, just wondering if its possible to swap the internals of an alternator over to another case, i scored a 140amp alternator today at work for free, but its off a Gen III V8, and ive got a V6 ecotec, the acutal alternator cases are different but is it possible to put the inside of the gen3 140amp into the case of the vs ecotec one?
and if any one has done it, was it hard??
Nick

[Peanuts Inc.]

isnt the physical size of the unit bigger tho??

140 amps is a lot of current to run to the battery too, so other things you will need to look at is upgrading your charging wires and the body earths

also those alternators put alot of extra load on your drivebelt which can cause belt squeel and generate alot of extra heat when they are working hard

[nick88]

the physical size looks the same,
i already have 4ga charge cable and 4ga ground cables in
ive never heard any gen 3 have belt squeel from the alt, are you sure its the alt that causes it?

[Peanuts Inc.]

thats cause the gen3 is designed to run with it, has a stronger tensioner and the belt contacts more of the pulley which helps the belt not slip.

why do you need a bigger alternator for? running a few big amps?
cos an 85 amp alternator should run 2x1000w monoblocks at full capacity with the headlights on no worries

[VrWagz1]

I dont know if they would swap over, but doing the stator windings would be a pain and probably have different mounts, plus you gotta fit the regulator, bearings probably different. My point, more trouble than its worth, unless your completely broke and doing this will help you drive to a pot of gold, i would say dont bother. Go and buy yourself a new one.

[nick88]

oohk, sounds like it is a bit more trouble than its worth, main reason i wanted to do it was cause i have upgraded my stock 90a alt to a 100a one off a VT and still have voltage issues, eg, lights dimming etc with bass from subs, n i have all 4ga wiring throughout and the system its self isnt that big..

Nick

[VrWagz1]

If the lights only dim slightly on bass notes, then its very normal for that to happen as it will drop the battery voltage on those notes ever so slightly and give that dimming effect. If you earthed the amp to the chasis, did you do it properly to a shiny clean bolt, with a properly crimped lug, or did ou just put a tek screw through the floor onto the the paint. Did you upgrade the earth wire going from the battery - terminal to the chasis. Those few things can help a bit, but will not stop it compltely. If your battery happens to die at some stage, then getting a bigger Amp Hour battery may help with it too, but i wouldnt go out and spend a fortune on a new battery just for that.

[KiwiHoldenDriver]

I'd also look at fitting a centre zero ammeter gauge. As long as the ammeter doesn't stay in the discharge side then you will be fine. Minor intrusions into the discharge zone is fine.

[kinga]

Have you thought about a farad capacitor instead? May help even out the heavy draw from the bass notes.
Why Use a Farad Capacitor in Your Car Audio System? - WallCannRewards Forum
THis seems to list a farad capacitor as the solution to the dimming lights problem you are having, particularly if you have already upgraded your alternator