Larger Alternator

[Justins72]

Anyone know where to get a larger alternator? I would like it to be internally regulated to hopefully get rid of the voltage regulator on the Firewall. Is there a bracket out there that will adapt a newer style from a chevy or hopefully one that can be bought from a parts store if it goes out? I know the alt from my pontiac is a 140amp and I think that would be plenty for the challenger.

[72bluNblu]

You have to be careful upgrading the alternator on these cars if you're still running the stock wire harness. Based on what I've learned the stock wiring is only good up to about 100 amps (if that), after that things start to melt.

I also don't see the advantage to the internally regulated alternator. It isn't really a better design, although they are probably easier to find at the local parts store. Not sure what kind of electronics you're running that you need a 140 amp, the stock alternators are 60 amps for A/C cars, less for non-A/C cars. I put a 75 amp Powermaster alternator from Summit on my Challenger, so far seems to be working just fine, and fixed the charging issue I was having at idle. Here's the link...

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PWM-7409/

[tommyg29]

 
I just upgraded my 71 to a 75 amp, and some vendors sell simple kits to upgrade your current alternator to 75 amp, which is about the most you should use with the old wiring, unless you do the starter relay bypass. Even then, unless youre running all kinds of electric in the car, 75 amp should cover you.
There are quite a few threads in here about upgrading your system, and the allpar links are great reading.
http://www.allpar.com/history/mopar/electrical.htm

btw, love that 72 challenger you have. One of the nicest stances Ive seen, and the 72 grille is my favorite.l

[Justins72]

I just upgraded my 71 to a 75 amp, and some vendors sell simple kits to upgrade your current alternator to 75 amp, which is about the most you should use with the old wiring, unless you do the starter relay bypass. Even then, unless youre running all kinds of electric in the car, 75 amp should cover you.
There are quite a few threads in here about upgrading your system, and the allpar links are great reading.
http://www.allpar.com/history/mopar/electrical.htm

btw, love that 72 challenger you have. One of the nicest stances Ive seen, and the 72 grille is my favorite.l

Thanks on the car compliment,  Reason I was thinking about a larger the 75 amp alt is because there will be a decent size stereo system going in the car, I will also be going to electric fans as well as updating my headlights to HID's with a hella 90mm or some kind of other projector.

[dodj]

You can go as big as you like but upgrade the wiring from alt to battery and wire up your mods in such a way that you don't increase the load through the bulkhead connector in any substantial way. Use relays out in the engine compartment. Otherwise I would go the same route as Tg29 and go no bigger than 75amps and make sure all your bulkhead connectors are clean. Even 75 would probably over tax the B/H connector(Large red and black wires). My 73 came originally with a 37amp.

[tommyg29]

yep, along with the starter relay bypass the first thing I did was check and clean up the bulkhead connectors, as well as a few of the under dash connectors.

[Aussie Challenger]

I would go with the internally regulated alternator especially if you are going over 90 amps, it will tidy up the wiring and simplify it also. Run relays as mentioned, they can be hidden, so that little load is being put on the older components in the cabin. If going with a loud stereo system then you will have to run all new wires to suit. You might consider bridging out the amp guage also as you really don't want 100 plus amps flowing through it if the system needs it. Remember the alternator will only put out the amount of current that is needed at the time, not max output all the time.