Upgrading 3G on 83'/ Use 4 gauge wire?

twilightcall · 06-16-2003, 05:11 PM

I am planning on installing a 3G alternator and some have mentioned to use 4 gauge wire and a 125A fuse but most have said not to with an 83' that has an external voltage regulator. Has anyone done this conversion on a year close to 83'? If you used 4 gauge wire where did you connect it? Thanks.

NitroNixon · 06-17-2003, 09:13 AM

I don't have an 83, but mine is a 87. I did use a 4 gauge wire, with a 150 amp inline fuse. I recommend getting the wire from a stereo shop. I'll check this evening to see how I hooked mine up and get back to you.

raptor · 06-17-2003, 10:11 AM

http://www.racesystems.com/3gproj/index.htm

twilightcall · 06-18-2003, 02:24 PM

How did you hook everything up. My battery is in the back and I just compared and it looks like I have 1 or 0 gauge wire from the battery. I am not sure what I have from the starter to the alt. yes though. Thanks.

NitroNixon · 06-18-2003, 03:16 PM

I check, and I have the 4 gauge wire ran from the positive side of the selenoid to the screw-on lead on the back of the alternator. Make sure you use a 150amp inline fuse as well.

Also you have to do some modifications to one of the 2 original plugs that went into your 75amp alternator.

The easiest way to do this is look for the D shaped plug, leave that plug as is. And as for the other big plug, you have the cut the little white wire with a black strip on it, and the other (2) black wires with green strips need to be taped up. You have to get the little grey plug from either a parts store or junk yard to be able to use the white wire with black strip.

So the only plugs that go into your new alt. are the D-Shaped plug and the white/black wire. Don't forget the 4-gauge wire that mounts on the back of the alt. Hope I explained it well enough.

cl0ud09 · 06-18-2003, 07:41 PM

I have a 1990 LX that was modified to use a 130A 3G alternator. I have gone through two 130A alternators and I have the same exact problem. The problem that I have is that at idle, the alternator doesn't seem to be providing enough output. When I have my lights on, the ammeter gauge on my dash points to the lower-normal range. If my stereo is on, then it dips even lower. When I am cruising at highway speeds, the ammeter needle points to mid-normal. Shouldn't it point to upper-normal? Can this be a battery issue? The battery is a couple of years old but it _does_ start the car up fine. Can this be a voltage regulator issue? It's just hard for me to believe that the voltage regulator in two different alternators can be bad. Could it be a bad solenoid? I even upgraded the wiring to 4 gauge and bought a brand new D connector but still no success. Any help is greatly appreciated!

06-16-2003, 05:11 PM	#1
twilightcall Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 86	Upgrading 3G on 83'/ Use 4 gauge wire? I am planning on installing a 3G alternator and some have mentioned to use 4 gauge wire and a 125A fuse but most have said not to with an 83' that has an external voltage regulator. Has anyone done this conversion on a year close to 83'? If you used 4 gauge wire where did you connect it? Thanks.

06-17-2003, 09:13 AM	#2
NitroNixon Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: DC Posts: 129	I don't have an 83, but mine is a 87. I did use a 4 gauge wire, with a 150 amp inline fuse. I recommend getting the wire from a stereo shop. I'll check this evening to see how I hooked mine up and get back to you. __________________ 87 GT As of 2/1/06 650 DP Carb Crosswind Intake Edelbrock Performer Heads 97 Explorer Bottomend w/ B-303 Cam 1.7 Roller Rockers Flowtech Longtube Headers Flowtech H-Pipe MSD Black Wires MSD ignition MSD Distributor Blaster 3 Coil Electric Fan Underdrive Pullies T5 Trans Hurst Shifter Lowered 1.5" 373 Gears

06-17-2003, 10:11 AM	#3
raptor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: Dundalk, Ont, Canada Posts: 129	http://www.racesystems.com/3gproj/index.htm __________________ 88GT, 331Stroker,FMS 70mm TB,77mm Pro-M mass air,Ram Air,K&N,GT40/Exployer Intakes,Gasket Matched,FMS 24lb injectors,Crane hi-6 ignition system,B303 cam,Crane 1.6RR,FMS underdrive pullies,351W/heads,port/polish,FMS h/f oil pump,Hedman headers,2 1/2in H pipe Flow Masters,190lph Holley fuel pump,Center Force dual friction,FMS 3.55,Hurst short throw/ trigger T handle,Subframe connectors,Welded torque boxes.

06-18-2003, 03:16 PM	#5
NitroNixon Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: DC Posts: 129	I check, and I have the 4 gauge wire ran from the positive side of the selenoid to the screw-on lead on the back of the alternator. Make sure you use a 150amp inline fuse as well. Also you have to do some modifications to one of the 2 original plugs that went into your 75amp alternator. The easiest way to do this is look for the D shaped plug, leave that plug as is. And as for the other big plug, you have the cut the little white wire with a black strip on it, and the other (2) black wires with green strips need to be taped up. You have to get the little grey plug from either a parts store or junk yard to be able to use the white wire with black strip. So the only plugs that go into your new alt. are the D-Shaped plug and the white/black wire. Don't forget the 4-gauge wire that mounts on the back of the alt. Hope I explained it well enough. __________________ 87 GT As of 2/1/06 650 DP Carb Crosswind Intake Edelbrock Performer Heads 97 Explorer Bottomend w/ B-303 Cam 1.7 Roller Rockers Flowtech Longtube Headers Flowtech H-Pipe MSD Black Wires MSD ignition MSD Distributor Blaster 3 Coil Electric Fan Underdrive Pullies T5 Trans Hurst Shifter Lowered 1.5" 373 Gears

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06-18-2003, 02:24 PM	#4
twilightcall Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 86	How did you hook everything up. My battery is in the back and I just compared and it looks like I have 1 or 0 gauge wire from the battery. I am not sure what I have from the starter to the alt. yes though. Thanks.

06-18-2003, 07:41 PM	#6
cl0ud09 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 1	I have a 1990 LX that was modified to use a 130A 3G alternator. I have gone through two 130A alternators and I have the same exact problem. The problem that I have is that at idle, the alternator doesn't seem to be providing enough output. When I have my lights on, the ammeter gauge on my dash points to the lower-normal range. If my stereo is on, then it dips even lower. When I am cruising at highway speeds, the ammeter needle points to mid-normal. Shouldn't it point to upper-normal? Can this be a battery issue? The battery is a couple of years old but it _does_ start the car up fine. Can this be a voltage regulator issue? It's just hard for me to believe that the voltage regulator in two different alternators can be bad. Could it be a bad solenoid? I even upgraded the wiring to 4 gauge and bought a brand new D connector but still no success. Any help is greatly appreciated!