130amp Alternator Upgrade

89fast5oh · 02-19-2004, 04:17 PM

I was looking into upgrading to a 3G alternator for my 89lx, I notice a few companys make a kit to do this. Anyway I was told that the 94-00 Alternators are the same and that they interchange with Alternators from a 94-97 Thunderbird 3.8L non S/C, which by the way i can get for $50. Would this swap be possible? and how hard is it to cut and splice the proper wires to make it work?

Mustang_289 · 02-19-2004, 04:20 PM

We went with PA Performance, life time warranty, great technical support. Doing the wire changes really easy, they actually change from the bad Ford design connector which has led to some fires, to a better high amp connector.

White GT · 02-19-2004, 09:50 PM

Good Decision

I used this HOW TO to help me in my project.

130 AMP Alternator Upgrade

Amazingly. The hardest part to find is a Butt Connector for 4 Gauge Wire. Because a ton of stereo shop in town solder the wires instead of using butt connector.

You can take a look in these two others one too.

130 Amp Alternator Project

130 AMP 3G "small Case" Alternator

and wear security glasses when you'll grind the bracket.

Falcons Talon · 02-20-2004, 12:51 PM

I used the second link...the Racesystems link, and it went on without a hitch! No problems one year after the install, and i got the alt from a junkyard.

7-UP BILL · 02-25-2004, 11:39 AM

When I did my 3G upgrade (PA Perf), I needed to trim the threaded bolt hole tab to fit the mounting bracket from my S-Trim kit. Not sure if you have a S/C or not but wanted to give my $.02 on that issue. Good luck
One other thing, be sure to upgrade the wire from the alt to the starter relay, a 4awg wire with a 200 amp fuse is what PA gives you (optionally).

sdd228 · 04-03-2004, 05:44 PM

i plan to have this done to my car next week by my mechanic. i bought an alternator last year and want to make sure it will work too. it is from a 94 t-bird. the junkyard said it was the same one as the one your talking about. i want to make sure before it is all hooked up to my car!

says : 94 t-bird 3.8 L 130 AMpw/o supercharger

thanks,

jim

89fast5oh · 04-03-2004, 05:56 PM

Thats the alternator i got, one from a 94 T-Bird and it works great, did it myself and took me like 15 minutes. Longest part was to grind the bracket to make it fit

sdd228 · 04-03-2004, 07:02 PM

thanks a lot. i hope it works. looks lold and rusted in there but seems to spin freely still! IF for some reason this doesnt work, would installing the original alternator be a problem? thanks

jim

89fast5oh · 04-03-2004, 08:38 PM

you could put your old alternator back on but it depends how the new one was installed. If you cut the old harness and wire in the 130amp, then all you would have to do is splice it back on. No biggie either way.

02-19-2004, 04:17 PM	#1
89fast5oh Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 56	130amp Alternator Upgrade I was looking into upgrading to a 3G alternator for my 89lx, I notice a few companys make a kit to do this. Anyway I was told that the 94-00 Alternators are the same and that they interchange with Alternators from a 94-97 Thunderbird 3.8L non S/C, which by the way i can get for $50. Would this swap be possible? and how hard is it to cut and splice the proper wires to make it work? __________________ 351W .030", AFR 185s, Crane roller cam-.543" 220 -.562" 228@.050, TFS 351W EFI intake, Billet Roller Rockers, BBK Long Tubes, BBK X- Pipe, Dynomax Race Magnums w/dumps, 30lb injectors, 190lph intank pump, Holley Adjustable FPR, 75mm TB&MA, Underdrive pulleys, Aluminum Rad, Billet Flywheel, McCloud Clutch, World Class T-5, B&M Ripper Shifter 4.10s, McCreary G-60s, Lakewood 90/10s, Comp. Enginering 3 way adjust/rear, Upper and Lower Control arms, Autometer gauges.

02-19-2004, 09:50 PM	#3
White GT Registered Member Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: At the north of the Maine Posts: 177	Good Decision I used this HOW TO to help me in my project. 130 AMP Alternator Upgrade Amazingly. The hardest part to find is a Butt Connector for 4 Gauge Wire. Because a ton of stereo shop in town solder the wires instead of using butt connector. You can take a look in these two others one too. 130 Amp Alternator Project 130 AMP 3G "small Case" Alternator and wear security glasses when you'll grind the bracket. __________________ 88 GT * And Risen from the dead * My GT My Web Page On Car domain

02-20-2004, 12:51 PM	#4
Falcons Talon T.P.M. President Join Date: May 2002 Location: Brownsville Posts: 265	I used the second link...the Racesystems link, and it went on without a hitch! No problems one year after the install, and i got the alt from a junkyard. __________________

02-25-2004, 11:39 AM	#5
7-UP BILL Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Burlington, NJ USA Posts: 21	When I did my 3G upgrade (PA Perf), I needed to trim the threaded bolt hole tab to fit the mounting bracket from my S-Trim kit. Not sure if you have a S/C or not but wanted to give my $.02 on that issue. Good luck One other thing, be sure to upgrade the wire from the alt to the starter relay, a 4awg wire with a 200 amp fuse is what PA gives you (optionally). __________________ 1990 7-UP Mustang S-Trim,Edelbrock,GT-40, Isky roller cam,Tremec,Torsen diff 31 splines,4 wheel disc and a whole bunch more...

04-03-2004, 05:44 PM	#6
sdd228 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: penfield, ny, u.s. Posts: 78	i plan to have this done to my car next week by my mechanic. i bought an alternator last year and want to make sure it will work too. it is from a 94 t-bird. the junkyard said it was the same one as the one your talking about. i want to make sure before it is all hooked up to my car! says : 94 t-bird 3.8 L 130 AMpw/o supercharger thanks, jim __________________ '89 lx 5.0-FLowmasters, H-pipe with cats, 373's, pulleys, BBk headers Best 1/4 mile- 14.1 @98 mph (67 deg. 90+ humidity) Married and bought the new mods... Nitto DR's 245/50R16 NOS hopefully 100 shot

02-19-2004, 04:20 PM	#2
Mustang_289 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 512	We went with PA Performance, life time warranty, great technical support. Doing the wire changes really easy, they actually change from the bad Ford design connector which has led to some fires, to a better high amp connector.

04-03-2004, 05:56 PM	#7
89fast5oh Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 56	Thats the alternator i got, one from a 94 T-Bird and it works great, did it myself and took me like 15 minutes. Longest part was to grind the bracket to make it fit __________________ 351W .030", AFR 185s, Crane roller cam-.543" 220 -.562" 228@.050, TFS 351W EFI intake, Billet Roller Rockers, BBK Long Tubes, BBK X- Pipe, Dynomax Race Magnums w/dumps, 30lb injectors, 190lph intank pump, Holley Adjustable FPR, 75mm TB&MA, Underdrive pulleys, Aluminum Rad, Billet Flywheel, McCloud Clutch, World Class T-5, B&M Ripper Shifter 4.10s, McCreary G-60s, Lakewood 90/10s, Comp. Enginering 3 way adjust/rear, Upper and Lower Control arms, Autometer gauges.

04-03-2004, 07:02 PM	#8
sdd228 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: penfield, ny, u.s. Posts: 78	thanks a lot. i hope it works. looks lold and rusted in there but seems to spin freely still! IF for some reason this doesnt work, would installing the original alternator be a problem? thanks jim __________________ '89 lx 5.0-FLowmasters, H-pipe with cats, 373's, pulleys, BBk headers Best 1/4 mile- 14.1 @98 mph (67 deg. 90+ humidity) Married and bought the new mods... Nitto DR's 245/50R16 NOS hopefully 100 shot

04-03-2004, 08:38 PM	#9
89fast5oh Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 56	you could put your old alternator back on but it depends how the new one was installed. If you cut the old harness and wire in the 130amp, then all you would have to do is splice it back on. No biggie either way. __________________ 351W .030", AFR 185s, Crane roller cam-.543" 220 -.562" 228@.050, TFS 351W EFI intake, Billet Roller Rockers, BBK Long Tubes, BBK X- Pipe, Dynomax Race Magnums w/dumps, 30lb injectors, 190lph intank pump, Holley Adjustable FPR, 75mm TB&MA, Underdrive pulleys, Aluminum Rad, Billet Flywheel, McCloud Clutch, World Class T-5, B&M Ripper Shifter 4.10s, McCreary G-60s, Lakewood 90/10s, Comp. Enginering 3 way adjust/rear, Upper and Lower Control arms, Autometer gauges.

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