96-98 Vortec Alternator Upgrade AD244

[bow61509]

^^^x2

Kind of curious... looks good, but I don't know why I would want it.

better charging pretty much direct swap and get to use oem parts

Sent from my static android

 

[3linkedchevy]

Sweet, glad I found this! Especially since my alternator just took a crap last night.

 

[MOBS]

Mine is still going strong.....although it helped to change the pulley back to factory size, as the '04 5.3 alt pulley is bigger than the '96 pulley.

 

[Chevyguy78]

I did the 130amp upgrade and iit was out of an 02 Suburban. I went to pep boys and asked for the factory belt for my 97 with the 140 amp alternator and it works great so far.

 

[MOBS]

Also, make sure when you get your belt size, that you get a very good quality belt, else you'll have problems with too much stretching. The cheaper belts(under $20) will stretch a whole inch during break-in, so unless you can pre-stretch one to fit, then you'll have a hard time getting one to fit as it'll be too small at first, but if you go up a half inch size to make it fit, the 1" total stretch will make the tensioner bottom out. I had to swap to my factory alt to fit a cheapy belt, tensioner was at the top. After first break-in(yes they stretch twice, first stretch happens after a good 1 mile sprint, second happens after driving for a while), the belt had stretched a half inch, so it was in the green area of the tensioner(not too tight, not too loose). So I swapped back to the new alt, which brought tensioner back to the top. I had to drive a 500-mile round trip the next day, sometime during the trip, it stretched the second time(another half inch) and is now in the green zone of the tensioner.

 

[MOBS]

Also, if you have the tensioner that rides against back of belt, and it has a lip on either side of tensioner, to help centerline belt. This tensioner is preferred ofcourse, but not so readily available for replacement. If you have the other type that is smooth, and made of stamped steel, it's very dangerous to romp or drive it hard if your tensioner isn't in the green zone. If it's bottomed out, you might hear some accessory whine as the belt slips. If it's too tight, it can very easily slip off the pulley.

 

[Blue95]

Just the thread I was looking for, what does everyone think about grabbing a junkyard one to run or just go to OReily and buy a new one?

 

[Vortec Lover]

Just the thread I was looking for, what does everyone think about grabbing a junkyard one to run or just go to OReily and buy a new one?

I'd get a new one, personally- if you get a new one you will always suspect it of conking out every time you have an electric problem, haha

 

[Blue95]

Well SUmmit carries Tuff Stuff Alternators and they have a good price and I have $20 off from them, I think I am going to order one, made in the USA and 1 yr warranty.

 

[Wstrnsky]

Check out www.dcpowerinc.com I have one and love it. Plus lots of good info.