Take me to alternator school

[moparman82]

So I ordered my full Msd setup, and I have a new engine wiring harness here ready to go, so I figure that as long as I'm re-wiring the entire engine bay and modifying the harness, this would be the time to upgrade the alternator.  I know I want the Tuff Stuff brand, but I have questions.

1. Power, how much do I need?  90? 145? Just adding a stereo and electric fans, not much more in terms of additional draw.

2. 1 wire or 3, what's the difference, and what's the point?

3.  Regulator?  I see some have an internal regulator and some don't, do I need one?

Thanks guys,
Wiring is like voodoo to me so the less modifying I can get by with, the better! Haha

[Chryco Psycho]

Fans draw a lot of current so I would look at 125 amp or more .
 I prefer 3 wire , why replace the alt for a simple $10 voltage reg that is external ? yes you always need a reg either internal or external .
 For anything over 60 amps I would recommend installing a 10 ga bypass wire from the alt output to the bat terminal on the start relay .
 While you are at it install headlight relays so you can see where you are going !

[1970 RT Challenger 1970]

More output, more electronic toys.

[HP_Cuda]

I did a 60A alternator recently and still used the bypass wire.

Why you ask? Well because the last fool who hooked up the regulator didn't do a good job of grounding it and caused over voltage problems. I put my hands on the alternator guage wires and they were getting plenty warm. Now most everything flows through the bypass and I don't much care about the low readings on the guages instead of a fire occuring.

[moparman82]

Thanks for all the input guys!! Alternator is on the way, along with a headlight bypass kit from Rob. 

[moparman82]

Oooooooo yeah!

[burdar]

I think I've pretty much decided that I don't want to mess with a stock style alternator.  The old style...even the higher amp ones...just don't put out anything at idle.  I'm going to try to adapt a new compact denso to some aluminum brackets designed for the old alternators.  I want to try and run an electric fan and I don't want the headlights to dim at stop lights.  I also have a convertible top that will draw a lot of juice.  I already have a headlight relay kit and plan on running a jumper wire from the alt directly to the starter relay.

AR Engineering makes steel alternator brackets designed for the new smaller denso alternators.  Unfortunately, I want to run aluminum brackets up front.
http://arengineering.com/products/sb-with-8172-race-powermaster-alternator/