what amp do I need for a alternator

[Dgoode87]

what amp do I need for a alternator 74 challenger auto small block 360 thanks

[roadman5312]

Need more info on things like A/C ?, elec cooling fans ? High end stereo ?  etc.

[Dgoode87]

I have no a/c I plan on putting a stereo in one day ... I went on summits website and they have everything from 60amp to 175amp. would I hurt anything if I went to the 175, or would I fry the regulator and stuff
thanks

[DocMel]

A 60 amp will work ok with just an aftermarket stereo, but if you can go 80, your lights will work much better at night.  Stay away from the 100 amp or higher:  You dont need it, and its just extra $$ to buy them  I treid a 120 amp, and things went south right after.  I blew the limiter in the dash constantly.  Also, your wiring harness is old  Consider that as well

[Chryco Psycho]

The alt will only put out what is needed so if the load is low the alt wil not hurt anything But if you have a dead battery for example & the alt goes to full charge it will melt down the harness , ammeter etc . anything over 60 amps I would install a a bypass from the alt to the bat termianl on the start relay so it will not put that load through all of the wiring not designed to take the load

[annularnos]

....I blew the limiter in the dash constantly....

What "limiter" in the dash? I'm unfamiliar. Are you referring to the instrument voltage regulator?

[Cudaragtop]

http://rt-eng.com/rte/index.php/RTE_limiter

Replacement solid state voltage limiter.
Anyone have experience with these?   

[DocMel]

Yeah:  With my 120 amp I blew the point type limiter and solid state one.  I went back to just an 80 amp, no issues

[JayBee]

http://rt-eng.com/rte/index.php/RTE_limiter
Anyone have experience with these?   

I've had an RTEng one in my car for as long as I can remember, must be over 6 years, and absolutely no issues.
My spare rallye dash has a solid state one from Van's, his is a  steady 5 volt output (not pulsed) so it doesn't require the condenser.
Also, I'm running a stock alternator, 60 amps I believe.

[dodj]

the alt goes to full charge it will melt down the harness , ammeter etc .

That's the big issue with going over 60amps. The rest of the wiring was never designed to handle it.
To your original question, what do you 'need', 60 amps is fine. That's what I run with an aftermarket stereo. But upgrade your wiring with the bypass mod and the headlight relays just for reliability and safety anyways. 

[Strawdawg]

The alt will only put out what is needed so if the load is low the alt wil not hurt anything But if you have a dead battery for example & the alt goes to full charge it will melt down the harness , ammeter etc . anything over 60 amps I would install a a bypass from the alt to the bat termianl on the start relay so it will not put that load through all of the wiring not designed to take the load

Yep, an alternator will only put the current that is called for.  Therefore, if you put a 300 amp alternator on a car and the car only needs 30 amps to operate the ignition, etc, then it will only put out 30 amps if there is nothing needing, or causing, a high current flow.