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Thread: BD Alternator Upgrade???

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    SLi nOOb caoutback's Avatar
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    BD Alternator Upgrade???

    Is it possible to get a larger amped alternator for my 2.5 w/o going custom?? I've got all the bells and wistles that was offered for my car minus the sunroof (5mt well worth the loss) and I'm going to put in a 1300w stereo setup but don't want to kill anything (yes I'll be running a cap.) and don't want dual batteries. I just want an upgraded (more powerful) alternator. Is their one out their???
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    "FNG" Navig8r's Avatar
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    I dont know if anybody makes a HO alternator "off the shelf" but you should try asking a couple GOOD auto parts stores if anybody in your area re-builds alternators to spec. I know there are a couple shops in the area here that will build what you want (may need to provide a "core")
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    You could also get a Yellow Top battery by Optima Batteries. I have one and they are simply amazing!

    http://www.optimabatteries.com/publish/ ... otive.html
    JD - 2005 Legacy GT LTD Wagon 5spd
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    SLi nOOb caoutback's Avatar
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    I've killed two Optima's in less than 4 years (2 years apiece) and will NEVER get another one. I'll be getting a Napa dry cell next week to replace my LAST Optima I bought in November 2005.
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    Battery is just a bandaid to your power problem. Get the higher spec alternator.
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    SLi nOOb caoutback's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by rougeben83
    Battery is just a bandaid to your power problem. Get the higher spec alternator.
    What part #????? That's what I'm trying to do, get a higher spec one than I've got.
    1998 Legacy Outback Limited 5mt-
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    I might have one. I will let you know.

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    I think 05+ legacy/outback alternators are like 110-130 Amps, and should probably fit, but I don't know if its enough for you.
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    Quote Originally Posted by caoutback
    I've killed two Optima's in less than 4 years (2 years apiece) and will NEVER get another one. I'll be getting a Napa dry cell next week to replace my LAST Optima I bought in November 2005.
    I've killed a Red top with no stereo, about a year old, but at least warranty covered it, it was however a pain in the ass to get it.
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    SLi Supporter bakergtt's Avatar
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    I looked into getting one awhile back and it is not cheap, like $750. I can call the store I was going through and see if he can find it again and get the specs for you.

    The stock one is like 75 or 95 amps and should be enought from what I have been told. Def. get a deep cycle battery.
    Thanks
    AdamB aka Bakergtt
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    SLi Lurker AJM's Avatar
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    Legacy=85 amps
    impreza=75 amps
    98 bk?

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    Quote Originally Posted by bakergtt
    Def. get a deep cycle battery.
    Exactly!

    Optima Red tops are not deep cycle. Only the yellow top is.

    People assume all optimas are deep cycle.
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    SLi Supporter bakergtt's Avatar
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    I would put the system in your car with the stock alternator and get a deep cycle battery with a good CA and see how things go. If you experiance issues you may need to get another cap or a cap battery or the alternator.
    Thanks
    AdamB aka Bakergtt
    '05 Xterra SE 4x4

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    SLi Supporter bakergtt's Avatar
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    I just got done talking to the guys at the local stereo shop and he said that a Kinetik battery is the way to go. Its a Deep cycle battery + cap. I will be getting one for my car when its done.


    http://www.kinetikaudio.com/intro.htm
    Thanks
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    Re: BD Alternator Upgrade???

    has anyone converted the plug on an outback alternator to use on a bd legacy? i hear they've got a little more juice...

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    SLi Resident Matty2Hotty's Avatar
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    Re: BD Alternator Upgrade???

    Interested in something too that isn't $300+ since I have the older 2 wire/square plug alternator.
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    Re: BD Alternator Upgrade???

    Matty you can run a 3 wire alternator without issues. Just leave the blue wire disconnected.

    "04 sti alternator:
    1.Blue goes to ECU
    2.Blue/red goes to main fuses
    3.Black/white goes to cluster

    2-wire alternator:
    1.Black/red goes to cluster
    2.White goes to main fuse box

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    Re: BD Alternator Upgrade???

    nice! i am so doing that. don't outback alts have another 15 amps or so?

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    t3h ub3r m3mber harrymaneuvers's Avatar
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    Re: BD Alternator Upgrade???

    Forester alts have 90 amps... I beleive the 04 sti is 110 amps... your standard alt has I believe 75 or 80 amps.
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    Re: BD Alternator Upgrade???

    I believe Grafton is getting an upgraded alternator...
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    SLi Resident Matty2Hotty's Avatar
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    Re: BD Alternator Upgrade???

    Now where to find a 3 wire pigtail plug to wire in lol
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    Re: BD Alternator Upgrade???

    So I just picked up an alt from an '04 wrx, and it's got the newer style plug, but there's only 2 wires coming from it. How would I wire it into a '97 legacy gt?

    edit: wrx, not sti

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    Re: BD Alternator Upgrade???

    post pictures please

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    Re: BD Alternator Upgrade???

    ill put some up in the am. i tried to install with a pigtail from an '00 outback, but i couldn't figure out the wiring, and im gonna need to get different terminal lugs for the power wires. the stud on the wrx alt is bigger, and although they can be removed on both alts, they dont match up, so i cant put the smaller stud onto the wrx alt.

    the outback pigtail i pulled has three slots on the connector, but only two are used. i can't remeber the colors off hand, but ill post up pics and more info tomorrow.

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    Re: BD Alternator Upgrade???

    and yes im posting in a five year old thread.

    deal with it. *puts on shades*

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    SLi nOOb caoutback's Avatar
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    Re: BD Alternator Upgrade???

    I'll GLADLY deal with it as my alternator finally crapped out again and I have to replace it again and now have lights and goodies (no stereo though).
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    Re: BD Alternator Upgrade???

    you should upgrade the alt wiring. i pulled apart a harness at a junkyard to follow exactly where the wires from the alternator went. one of the power wires on the stud goes to the main fuse box power, and the other powers the a/c system relays (pretty sure), which are also on the main fuse box under the hood. one of the wires from the connector ties right into those power wires off the stud, and the last one is for the cluster signal when the alt isn't working.

    i wired in an '04 wrx alt w/ no probs. the next step is to upgrade the wiring, now that i know where all of it goes, and what crimp on pins i need to get.

    i have pics, i'll post 'em up soon. gotta put them on the comp first...

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    "FNG" Quest's Avatar
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    Re: BD Alternator Upgrade???

    I recently upgraded my alternator in my 96 Legacy L with a 190 amp unit from DC Power Engineering. PS. How come I've never been able to upload/attach a simple picture from my files? I have several photos of the alt installed. Puts out 14.7 VDC no matter how loud I run the system. The stock 85 amp alt would dip down to mid 11s
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    Re: BD Alternator Upgrade???

    SLi currently can not support photo uploads.

    Please use this tutorial to upload any photo you wish --> viewtopic.php?f=41&t=23411

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