bolt on alternator upgrade impreza wrx

[matt]

Is there such thing as a bolt-on alternator for an 02 Impreza WRX? I'm
wonder if this is something i can do or if its not really a DIY project.

thanks,

 

[mark jb]

Is there such thing as a bolt-on alternator for an 02 Impreza WRX? I'm

wonder if this is something i can do or if its not really a DIY project.

Try rewiring the amp and putting in a 1 farad capacitor first.

Much easier, definately DIY.

-mark

 

[Mickey]

Is there such thing as a bolt-on alternator for an 02 Impreza WRX? I'm
wonder if this is something i can do or if its not really a DIY project.

thanks,

Is this a second alternator or a replacement one?

Mickey

 

[matt]

Is this a second alternator or a replacement one?

Good question. I'm not sure what i need. I didn't mention it before, but
i'm looking for an upgrade for more output, not to replace a defective one.
I've also heard of pulleys that change the speed of your alternator. are
these any good or just snake oil?

 

[nothermark]

Good question. I'm not sure what i need. I didn't mention it before, but
i'm looking for an upgrade for more output, not to replace a defective one.
I've also heard of pulleys that change the speed of your alternator. are
these any good or just snake oil?

Changing pulley size will change the efective range the alternator
starts putting out rated capacity. On the other hand if you move up
the speed at idle to get better power there you also move up the speed
at max rpm of the engine where you are playing with the point where
the bearings fail and/or the rotor flies apart. What are you really
trying to make happen?

 

[mark jb]

Changing pulley size will change the efective range the alternator

starts putting out rated capacity. On the other hand if you move up
the speed at idle to get better power there you also move up the speed
at max rpm of the engine where you are playing with the point where
the bearings fail and/or the rotor flies apart. What are you really
trying to make happen?

Refer to his previous posts; factory stereo is taking too much power from
the dome light for his liking, IIRC.

Upgrade the wiring and relays, you don't need a new alternator.
As I've said before, I've got a 98 Toyota Starlet that easily pumps out
enough to power 200w driving lights, 200w high beam, 50w (total) park
lights, 1000w sound system, for long periods without missing a beat. Tested
battery voltage drops by up to 0.1v after half an hour to 45 mins of highway
driving (Unconfirmed, crap multimeter was flicking between 12.8 and 12.9 at
the battery both times, IIRC). Mileage unchanged from when it was just the
high beams and stock stereo.

-mark

 

[Paul]

Is there such thing as a bolt-on alternator for an 02 Impreza WRX? I'm
wonder if this is something i can do or if its not really a DIY project.

thanks,

Take a look at this thread from over at NASIOC :

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=583790

Thread is about replacement 160 amp alternators to cover such
things as extra lighting and high power sound systems.

Unfortunately the link to Mid-west Electrical in the thread no longer
works (and I don't know if they're still in business) but if you search
around some more on NASIOC you'll probably find what you need.

 

[matt]

Refer to his previous posts; factory stereo is taking too much power from
the dome light for his liking, IIRC.

Upgrade the wiring and relays, you don't need a new alternator.
As I've said before, I've got a 98 Toyota Starlet that easily pumps out
enough to power 200w driving lights, 200w high beam, 50w (total) park
lights, 1000w sound system, for long periods without missing a beat.
Tested battery voltage drops by up to 0.1v after half an hour to 45 mins
of highway driving (Unconfirmed, crap multimeter was flicking between 12.8
and 12.9 at the battery both times, IIRC). Mileage unchanged from when it
was just the high beams and stock stereo.

I don't know why you keep talking about my amp. I'm talking about my
alternator. I removed the stock subwoofer and installed a new amp and
computer for gps/nagivation (new wiring from the battery) and want to
install a second amp. I don't want to be rude, but I know that i'm looking
for an alternator, not a wiring lecture.

Thank you for the post about the 160 amp alternator. I will look into it.

 

[nothermark]

Refer to his previous posts; factory stereo is taking too much power from
the dome light for his liking, IIRC.

Upgrade the wiring and relays, you don't need a new alternator.
As I've said before, I've got a 98 Toyota Starlet that easily pumps out
enough to power 200w driving lights, 200w high beam, 50w (total) park
lights, 1000w sound system, for long periods without missing a beat. Tested
battery voltage drops by up to 0.1v after half an hour to 45 mins of highway
driving (Unconfirmed, crap multimeter was flicking between 12.8 and 12.9 at
the battery both times, IIRC). Mileage unchanged from when it was just the
high beams and stock stereo.

-mark

two issues - highway driving gets the alternator up to speed where it
is putting out rated power 13.2v x 75 Amps = 990 watts. Basic physics
says exceed that and you start draiing the battery. The more you
exceed that by the faster the battery drains. 30 years ago I would
bet there was more capacity in the alternator, today I would bet it
barely sqeaks up to the spec. I would also bet that you seldom really
use 1000 watts from your sound system. I'm not knocking they system,
there are reasons why that peak power is good, but I would be very
surprised to find out you are running a constant tone at any frequency
at that power level for long periods. Anything else reduces the
average power consumption. It is also a LOT of sound.

;-)

 

[Al]

two issues - highway driving gets the alternator up to speed where it
is putting out rated power 13.2v x 75 Amps = 990 watts. Basic physics
says exceed that and you start draiing the battery. The more you
exceed that by the faster the battery drains. 30 years ago I would
bet there was more capacity in the alternator, today I would bet it
barely sqeaks up to the spec. I would also bet that you seldom really
use 1000 watts from your sound system. I'm not knocking they system,
there are reasons why that peak power is good, but I would be very
surprised to find out you are running a constant tone at any frequency
at that power level for long periods. Anything else reduces the
average power consumption. It is also a LOT of sound.

;-)

Install a second alternator. Or is it too cramped in there?

Al

 

[Dave - Dave.net.nz]

two issues - highway driving gets the alternator up to speed where it
is putting out rated power 13.2v x 75 Amps = 990 watts. Basic physics
says exceed that and you start draiing the battery. The more you
exceed that by the faster the battery drains. 30 years ago I would
bet there was more capacity in the alternator, today I would bet it
barely sqeaks up to the spec. I would also bet that you seldom really
use 1000 watts from your sound system. I'm not knocking they system,
there are reasons why that peak power is good, but I would be very
surprised to find out you are running a constant tone at any frequency
at that power level for long periods. Anything else reduces the
average power consumption. It is also a LOT of sound.

I've been following this thread as I was also looking for a similar
"bolt on upgrade" for the alternator(OBW though).

My reasoning is that I have a PC running GPS, mapping, stereo functions,
and a few more things(only when the car is running), but it uses almost
300W constantly while doing that, plus the stereo(fairly big), and
everything else that runs off it.

 

[matt]

two issues - highway driving gets the alternator up to speed where it
is putting out rated power 13.2v x 75 Amps = 990 watts. Basic physics
says exceed that and you start draiing the battery. The more you
exceed that by the faster the battery drains. 30 years ago I would
bet there was more capacity in the alternator, today I would bet it
barely sqeaks up to the spec. I would also bet that you seldom really
use 1000 watts from your sound system. I'm not knocking they system,
there are reasons why that peak power is good, but I would be very
surprised to find out you are running a constant tone at any frequency
at that power level for long periods. Anything else reduces the
average power consumption. It is also a LOT of sound.

Thanks, that's true, the alternator is only putting out 75 amps at high
speeds, and just because my amp is 1000 watts doesn't mean i'm using NEAR
that. In fact, i'm only looking to fix the worse case scenario, and that is
the music player, computer-gps/mp3s on, and idling. Currently when i idle
and the headlights are on, the sound goes out for a second. New heavy duty
battery and new wiring from the battery to my electronics. THe only thing
left is to upgrade the alternator. I'm not looking to run FOH for deep
purple, i just want to comfortably run some accessories while idling. I was
inquiring if an alternator upgrade/addition is a DIY job or if i should take
it to the shop. And if anyone had suggestions on a specifi unit, maybe a
150 amp?

Thanks again to everyone for their input

 

[matt]

Install a second alternator. Or is it too cramped in there?

Al

How does that work? One connected to the accessories, or both alternators
connected ot the battery? Do you need two batteries then?

 

[mark jb]

inquiring if an alternator upgrade/addition is a DIY job or if i should

take it to the shop. And if anyone had suggestions on a specifi unit,
maybe a 150 amp?

you could always get the original one rewound.
or you could just bump the idle speed up 200rpm, that should also do it.

two alternators supplying a decent load will make your automobile a wee bit
slower, btw. think aircon on/off differance, depending on how much load.

-mark

 

[matt]

you could always get the original one rewound.
or you could just bump the idle speed up 200rpm, that should also do it.

That may be a good possibility. What kind of place does this? Any chain
store, or mechanic, or do i need an alternator specialist? I'm in the DC
area if anyone has any specific suggestions.

thanks again

 

[Mike Lloyd]

Try asking an upscale car audio place. You know, the kind of place where
those nuts go to get a 5000W competition sounds system. They'd know how to
get the most out of any car's charging system. Explain the situation and
see what happens. Best Buy won't have a clue, but I bet a real enthusiastic
car audio guy would know.