Help w alternator decision

Status
Not open for further replies.

dadep76

Greasemonkey
May 11, 2021
100
24
28
I have a chevy 350 in my 78 lemans. Is it better to get a 3 wire,which it has now, or a 1 wire? None of idiot gauges are in car. I installed aftermarket. If a 1 wire is chosen to put in what how should it be hooked up correctly?
 

g0thiac

G-Body Guru
Sep 6, 2020
939
582
93
1 Wire alternators are for people that are scared of electrical. JMO.
That, and people who have bought cars with wiring harnesses that have been worked on like sh*t lmao.
 

scoti

Royal Smart Person
Sep 5, 2019
1,978
3,401
113
Texas
3-wire alternators are available @ all local auto parts stores. 1-wire units are typically a mail 'order' item.

If you actually DRIVE your car..... and your alternator craps out while out on the road, which situation would you want to be in?
 
Last edited:
  • Agree
Reactions: 1 user

Dayzedandkonfuzed

G-Body Guru
Feb 9, 2010
971
1,268
93
Anglemont, BC
I did a CS130 alternator on my Malibu. Very straight forward swap, and you'll get a 105 amps. Just need the pigtail adapter (or wire in a factory pigtail, cleaner,) and swap the V-belt pulley from your old one. This alternator is found on many chevy cars and trucks from 87 through 96ish, so it won't be hard to find one if in a pinch. Also reasonably priced.

EDIT: There are a couple of variations in the case of the CS130. The link I posted shows 87-91 Corvette, but mine came off a 1991 Chevy 2500 with a 454. As long as the mounting holes are straight across from each other, it will bolt up. I think I had to modify my spacer for the lower bolt, but it went smoothly.


 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 2 users

g0thiac

G-Body Guru
Sep 6, 2020
939
582
93
I did a CS130 alternator on my Malibu. Very straight forward swap, and you'll get a 105 amps. Just need the pigtail adapter (or wire in a factory pigtail, cleaner,) and swap the V-belt pulley from your old one. This alternator is found on many chevy cars and trucks from 87 through 96ish, so it won't be hard to find one if in a pinch. Also reasonably priced.

EDIT: There are a couple of variations in the case of the CS130. The link I posted shows 87-91 Corvette, but mine came off a 1991 Chevy 2500 with a 454. As long as the mounting holes are straight across from each other, it will bolt up. I think I had to modify my spacer for the lower bolt, but it went smoothly.


You can use CS144 too as well, if 105 amps isn't enough by the way.

Unless it's a custom alt, in which case there are some high amperage ones available in 130 or 12si too.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

Rus

Master Mechanic
Oct 7, 2016
283
858
93
Queensbury, NY
I did a CS130 alternator on my Malibu. Very straight forward swap, and you'll get a 105 amps. Just need the pigtail adapter (or wire in a factory pigtail, cleaner,) and swap the V-belt pulley from your old one. This alternator is found on many chevy cars and trucks from 87 through 96ish, so it won't be hard to find one if in a pinch. Also reasonably priced.

EDIT: There are a couple of variations in the case of the CS130. The link I posted shows 87-91 Corvette, but mine came off a 1991 Chevy 2500 with a 454. As long as the mounting holes are straight across from each other, it will bolt up. I think I had to modify my spacer for the lower bolt, but it went smoothly.


I did same swap on my car. No problem keeping a charge. I got the 140 amp model that gives 100 amp at idle. Very easy swap
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

dadep76

Greasemonkey
May 11, 2021
100
24
28
Ok. Id rather keep a 2 wire cause thats what car came with. Autozone tried to tell me they only sell a 3 wire at 63 amps. That sounds shitty to me. Id want a much higher amp. Im guessing summit, jegs, speedshop would be a place to get them. Now the red wire thats from the plug is to the fuse box correct?
 

ELCAM

Royal Smart Person
Jun 19, 2021
1,123
1,270
113
You should be able to get at least a 94 Amp (might have as high as 120 Amp) 12si from a late 80s vehicle from a local parts house. Make sure the mounting positions and where the connector comes out are the same Mine is from an 88 PU. Only difference is the tension bolt is M8 -1.5mm instead of the 5/16- 18 your car has.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
Status
Not open for further replies.

GBodyForum is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

Please support GBodyForum Sponsors

Classic Truck Consoles Dixie Restoration Depot UMI Performance

Contact [email protected] for info on becoming a sponsor