200 amp alernator

[gpse3400]

on my 3400 i switched to the csd144 from the minivan. 140 amp. Mainly because I got tired of replacing the CS 130 over and over again, and I never ran a high powered anything. Never had a problem after that. They are made much better. My old z28 camaro had a cs 144 140 amp that was orignal with 175,000 miles...
Also replaced the cs130 out of my friends '90 Bonnville sse with a 140 amp cs144....voltage is much more consistant.

[3100 MPFI]

I did it to my 1988 Cutlass Supreme. At the time, I was losing voltage at idle at night with the headlights/foglights on, the radio on, and the complete digital interior (at the time I had a digital cluster, ATC, autodimming mirror, Stereo, CD changer, subs/amp, HUD, etc).

At idle voltage would drop, and once I got to the point where the car started trying to stall, I went ahead and did the conversion. I think mine is a 170 amp, instead of a 200. It was worth it for me, but I have seen no need to do it to my 1990 Grand Prix STE.



Here are the 3 alts side by side. From left to right, they are 1996 3100 SFI, 170 amp monstrosity, one on the right is the 1989 2.8/3.1 MPFI.

[19Cutlass94]

Are they the same plug? I dont think you could use that cs144 if you have an STB...

[3100 MPFI]

I could not use the BUICK STB with the newer alt. I have not checked it with the CUTLASS SUPREME CONVERT bar yet seeing that I don't have the engine in the car right now.

The connector was the same. It was plug and play for going from the older setup (1988-1994~ish) to the bigger alt. The connector is different to go from the NEWER alt to the bigger one.

[SHOoff]

Exactly. "Rated," But 105A is not being drawn.

QFT! Not to mention that when the battery is fully charged the alternator switches itself off and is delivering 0amps. You'd have to have a serious load on the system to be pushing 105A at idles.

On that note.... is it even possible to charge a normal car battery with 105A continuously and not cause internal damage? We have forklift batteries at work that don't take much higher amperage than that and you're talking about much thicker plates in them vs. a normal car battery (.265 vs. .040)