Help!! Stranded!!!!

[93formulalt1]

Well, this afternoon, the inevitable happened. I had my PC unhooked, and the amps and stereo were just playing a regular old FM radio station, and I looked over at my gauges . . . You know what they said? My alternator was charging the system at 18 volts!!!! I parked the car, went back to work, and when I started it again, it did the same thing. Parked it, borrowed the boss' Charger, did all of my running, came back, started up the Formy, and the Voltmeter is reading 11 volts constant.

Long story short, the alternator went out, and I want to see if there is a better alternative to the stock 124 amp Alternator before I waste my money. . . Keeping in mind I'm running a CarPC and 1600w of stereo power. . . The 200a alternator is a little too much for my liking, at $360, so I was wondering if they used a higher powered alt in the Firehawk or LT4 Corvette that I could use instead. . . Any help is appreciated!

[JoeliusZ28]

ive read that the variances between years was marginal. with that kind of equipment i would just get the 200amp and not have to sweat it.

[93formulalt1]

ive read that the variances between years was marginal. with that kind of equipment i would just get the 200amp and not have to sweat it.

Unfortunately, I have to sweat it. The price is too high for me to afford, and I need to get my car on the road ASAP, as it is my DD. I'll look around some more, maybe I can luck out and get one from a modded T/A or Z28 being parted out or something.

[lozanoa11]

i know the b4c had a better alt

[81DaytonaPaceCar]

No "factory" amp out there is gonna cover 1600 watts and a car PC.

Just don't turn the stereo on...

[1BADAIR]

our local alt and starter shop rebuilds them to put out more. I don't remember where I got the 200 amp one for my s10 but it was $1 per amp for the rebuild

[lozanoa11]

watts law says you need 115 amps comming out of the alt just for your stereo

[tenpin842]

i bought my chrome 200 alt from advance auto for under $200.

[meissen]

Just remember two major things -- chrome plating and alternators that are rebuilt and rewound are going to die out faster.

[93formulalt1]

Found a decent stock looking 200 amp for $170 new online, I'll be ordering it next week sometime. . . Gonna have to go without a car until then, I guess. . .

[93formulalt1]

Well, since most of my closest friends know that I can't have more than one project going at a time unless I'm actively driving both/all of them, I took the downtime with the Firebird as an opportunity to get the Datsun running. Put a new battery in it, fixed the leaking fuel line, and turned the key, she fired right up. I'll be DD'ing the Datsun from now on, just because it's:
1) A sweet car
2) Capable of more than 15mpg
3) A conversation starter
lol I am putting plates on it today, I put insurance on it right before my insurance company closed last night, and I'll be starting to drive it today, as well as tracking down the little bugs it's got. For example, it has no stereo or speakers, it idles at 2000RPM's, it sputters when driving, but runs fine when it's in neutral, it has an odd, loud vibration from the back of the car when it's in neutral, idling, at a stop, just little annoying things like that. I took it around the block last night, it drove like a champ, needs a little bit of suspension work, but I think I might actually enjoy driving this little car. lol

Oh, and my folks are buying me an alternator this week, I might actually make it to the M&G with it, otherwise, I'll be bringing the 280Z.

[93formulalt1]

Another update. . .
Found out that the BCDD (Boost Controlled Deceleration Device) was disabled improperly in a past life, causing the stuttering, hard starting, and high idle. Fixed it today, car runs great! We put plates on it this morning, insurance as of yesterday, and I'll be driving it daily to save on gas. Problem being, the parents insured it on their policy and put plates on it, so they aren't buying the alt for the Formy. I'll be bringing the Datsun to the Meet and Greet this weekend, but the Formula will be back on the road within the month, since I don't get paid again for another 2-3 weeks. I'm kinda bummed, but at least I'll be behind the wheel of a cool car in the meantime. . . lol