105 Amp Alternator..Wow!!!!

[ZIII]

Today I installed a 105 Amp alternator from Z Specialties. Let me just say that I have owned my baby for 32 years and it has lots of mods and non-stock replacement parts. This has to be, by far, one of the best things I have ever done to my car. It is truly amazing…. Why I waited so long to do this heaven only knows. Everything seems to work better. Lights are brighter but not overly so. My little 35 watt stereo sounds better and the car just seems to run better and I haven’t a clue why unless its just me. I turned every electrical thing on, lights, PIAA fogs, stereo, rear-defroster, blower, wipers, signals, and at idle there was not a blip…. On my original alt, if you had two things on you’d be lucky to get the wipers to creep across the windshield…. And at idle, forget it… it would take five seconds for a swipe of the wipers.

The Z Specialties alt is a breeze to install. It’s a direct plug and play operation. You use the same pulley, bracket, and belt. Wiring is simple and straightforward. The instructions that come with it are fool-proof. The stock Voltage Regulator comes out. I opted to use an additional 8 gauge wire directly to the battery in addition to the stock wire. Testing the alt, it was putting out 14.8 volts to the battery. I think this may be a tad high, not sure. I also took some pictures of the install but believe me this is a simple, no-brainer operation. Strongly recommended…..

You can get additional information on this alternator at:

http://www.zspecialties.com/

George

[texasz]

You need to edit your link, it doesn't have the URL in it and thus does not work.

[ZIII]

Done..... Thanks...

[Black Beaut]

The stock Voltage Regulator comes out.

Is it replaced by another external regulator or is the upgraded alternator internally regulated?

Cheers,

Rob

[beandip]

ZIII, Thanks for the good information and the web site address. Gary :rambo:

[Bambikiller240]

...........Wiring is simple and straightforward. The instructions that come with it are fool-proof.

What does this mean/ What "wiring" had to be done? Cut and replace connectors? What are the specifics?

[ZIII]

Let me try to answer these questions.

Rob, the Z Specialties Alternator is internally regulated. Therefore, you do not use the stock voltage regulator. Now, you can either leave your stock regulator attached but it must be disconnected or you can take it out. I chose to take mine out. I also covered and taped up the wiring that went to the stock regulator.

Carl, a you know, the stock alternator has three attachments on it. Positive, which is the white wire with red stripe, negative which is black and a T-type connector in the center which is the hookup for the brushes. The T-connector comes off and should be taped up and protected. It will not be used. The Zspecialties alt has only two connectors, positive and negative and you use your stock wiring to these connections. Zspecialties suggests that if you have a high amp demand setup in your car, you run an ‘additional’ 8 gauge wire from the positive lead of the alt to the positive lead of your battery or starter solenoid. That means you will have two connections on the positive terminal of the alt. I chose to do this not so much because I have a high demand but it seemed like a good idea since this alt puts out a lot of juice. I also have a 50w Sony amp which I bought at some garage sale years ago and who knows maybe I will see if it works. Anyway, the wiring is simple. Hope this helps explain it.

George

[Bambikiller240]

Thank you, George.

So if I'm understandin you correctly, there are no alterations to the stock Z wiring harness, it's all about not using the "T" connector on the harness, and not using the VR connector on the harness. No Cuts, No Splices. Only adding a separate wire from Alt to bat if desired.

[ZIII]

That’s correct…. No changes to the pulley, belt or bracket either….. I just came in tonight from a run and I will tell you the stock lights are great, I thought my PIAA driving lights were super, now they are fabulous! Car seems to run better but don’t ask me why. The great thing is that at idle, everything runs normal which is something I am just not used too.

The one concern I have is that I am putting out 14.8 volts to the battery and I think this may be a bit high and would probably feel better if it were closer to 14. However, I will watch it for awhile and see what happens. I have a Red Optima battery . Another thing is that my volt meter reads dead on, straight down, rarely moves at all.

George

[Black Beaut]

Thanks for the info George, much appreciated.

Have you asked Z Specialties about the 14.8V issue?

Cheers,

Rob

[Murph]

ZIII: I wouldn't be too worried about the 14.8V. That's going to be within spec for pretty much any automotive device. Also keep in mind you're likely to have a bit of an additional voltage drop over the wiring between the battery/alternator and any devices in the car.

[First Gen Z]

Just to add to Datto-Zed's post the normal voltage spread on a properly working alternator is 13.6 - 14.2. Not to worry about .6 volts. Altho it would be interesting to know what your battery manufacturer had to say.