Alternators and engine performance, am I imagining things?

[fdjizm]

I don't know if I'm totally out of left field here, but do alternators affect engine performance?

I feel like I lost a little something when I replaced the oem alternator with the one from vatozone... right now here is what I am thinking and they all involve returning my duralast alternator..

1. rebuild OEM alt for $125 put it back in.
2. get a PA alternator and the wire upgrade.

maybe I'm nuts but I'm very sensitive to changes in my car, I can hear and feel anything different and I feel like I lost power after the alt swap.
Plus this alt seems like it's putting out shit for power, my fuel pressure bounces around when i have the blinkers on and everything dims when I put the windows up. OEM didn't do that.

 

[irishpwr46]

get the stocker rebuilt with better parts. also, try and get a voltmeter that you can plug into the cig lighter to monitor the power while driving. id say the vatozone isn't keeping up with your power demands. possibly not supplying enough power to the fuel pump and/or coils

 

[stkjock]

Again, WTF, in Pitstop


Yes, in our cars a bad alt makes shit crazy. Been posted and discussed many times...

 

[bigray327]

Let's see, what runs on electricity? Maybe your fuel pump isn't getting enough powuh. The only thing in the air system that's electric is the MAF, and that's tiny. I assume the engine isn't missing, so that would imply you're getting good spark. Are air:fuel ratios good?

If the computer that controls your tune wasn't getting powered properly, I think you'd know it.

My car eats alternators for breakfast, and shits them out for lunch. I rebuilt at least one a year.

 

[skwerl]

Why is this in pitstop?

 

[bigray327]

Why is this in pitstop?

Maybe he wanted someone to actually read it.

 

[JeremyH]

Definetly could, it can effect fuel system, spark etc.

 

[greenmonster2]

Rudy's in Rahway rebuilds or gets oem

 

[fdjizm]

Where would I put this topic? tech!? lol
Also it's a fact that shit doesn't get read for like 2 days out of the pitstop section.

The engine is not missing that means I have spark, does that mean I have GOOD spark? that is what I am debating. and fuel pressure dipping on such a simple task as blinkers being on? gotta be taking something from the engine?

Dave nothing is going crazy the car is working normally with no codes.
I've read what happens when the alt goes bad, this thread isn't about that.
No check charging system message or anything like that.

 

[86GT351]

Again, WTF, in Pitstop


Yes, in our cars a bad alt makes shit crazy. Been posted and discussed many times...

Not just our cars. Any COmputer controlled car. Most people only worry about Voltage when checking an Alternator. Amperage is just as critical if not more critical. If an inferior part is used and Voltage and or Amperage is suffering, then the PCm can be getting inconsistent readings and cause issues.

 

[GallopingFord]

I heard if you plastidip or chrome plate it, it works better.

 

[fdjizm]

I even tried undoing the BT delete and no change!

 

[JeremyH]

Gota install leds everywhere! less current draw ftw! lol

 

[DRock]

I even tried undoing the BT delete and no change!

Come on everyone knows the Foglight delete will fix all your problems.

 

[irishpwr46]

Come on everyone knows the Foglight delete will fix all your problems.

in all seriousness, it would probably help if he usually runs them

 

[fdjizm]

I rarely run my fogs.

 

[Sky Render]

Yes, an alternator with more internal friction would cost a few more horsepower via increased parasitic losses. Furthermore, a "higher capacity" alternator with more windings would have a higher induced back EMF and also cost more horsepower. More current draw would also increase the back EMF and thus increase parasitic losses while the high current draw is present.

IOW:
Shitty alternator = less HP
Bigger alternator = less HP
Lots of electrical load = less HP

Sent from my toilet using Tapatalk

 

[fdjizm]

Well damn, so the best alt for performance would be OEM?
Just dicking around I've been reading the alternator reviews on american muscle about the PA alternator.
A lot of them say they felt a boost in power in the car!? PA is 130amp so it's still in the OEM range, would that be a better alt than OEM for performance?

 

[Sky Render]

There's really no need for a higher capacity alternator unless you've got a killer sound system or are running a bunch of fuel pumps and fans. So, yes, I'd just go with OEM and be done with it.

Sent from my toilet using Tapatalk

 

[fdjizm]

Makes sense thanks! the OEM alt never let me down, just was giving me a check charging system message once in a while, it was on it's way I guess but I am going to get it rebuilt!