copied from s10forum.com
Quote:
Here is a little write up/explanation on how to swap your stock CS130D alternator for an AD244 alternator off of most of the full size trucks.
For those of you that NEED a bigger alternator, weather it be because of off-road accessories (winches, lights, etc) or because you need the extra amperage due to a bigger sound system, you would probably upgrade to an aftermarket alternator to meet your needs. Well, unless you are paying $300+ for a built alternator with a good stator and regulator put in, you will loose voltage at idle when you purchase the upgraded one. This is where most people have their concern, especially you off-road guys.
For example, when you put a 160 amp stator in a stock CS130D (4.3L) case, you will get the 160 amps, but only at about 1000 engine RPM's. Our 4.3L's idle at ~550-600, so the output is a lot less, voltage and amperage. I've found that my "built" CS130D only put out 45 amps and 12.8v at idle, when I needed a LOT more than that to keep my lights from dimming at idle.
So, our goal here is to get output (amperage and voltage) at idle as well as our required output at speeds greater than idle. With the AD244, you can have the best of both worlds.
*You can pick up a used AD244 alternator from your local junkyard for ~$40-$50, depending on mileage/condition*
The AD244 alternator came off of several full size pickups, from different years. There were two versions of the alternator made, a 130A version and a 145A version. You can call your local junkyard/salvage yard and ask them what it came off of, how many miles are on it, and what version it is (130A or 145A). Here is a link to everything you need to know (including what vehicles it came off of) about the AD244 (thank juddspaintballs for the link)
http://www.wai-wetherill.com/products/partimage.cfm?wai_num=1-2419-21DR
*The AD244 alternator will bolt right up to the stock alternator bracket on the 4.3L with NO modifications to the bracket. The only thing that is different is that you won't be using the 3rd bolt that is on the backside of the alternator. The CS130D has this, but the AD244 doesn't. You won't have any troubles with the bolt not being there.*
*The AD244 uses the same wire harness as the CS130D. It is a plug-and-play application.*
Now, I know what you guys are thinking..... "well dude, I need wayy more than 145 amps." That's what I was thinking too when I was doing this mod. I've got a decent sized sound system in the truck and some aftermarket fog lights on my safari bar, so I needed the extra amperage.
Bench tests have proven this alternator to put out 200+ amps at idle when cold. Yes, that's right, at idle.
When the alternator is warm it will easily put out 100 amps at idle,which is way better than the CS130D which is only capable of producing ~40 amps at idle.
It is a slightly underrated alternator (you audio guru's out there know what the term 'underrated' means and how it compares to the quality of a product). I can crank my system to the max and have no voltage issues with it when I'm at idle. I'll maintain a 14v and my lights don't dim.
--------------
Now that you have the alternator, you'll be needing a longer belt. I can't say how long of a belt you'll be needing, but the stock one won't work. If you DO get the stock belt to work (some have) I STRONGLY don't recommend it. It will put a bigger strain on the bearings in the alternator and can cause premature failure. It's worth the extra $35 for a new belt.
*You will need a belt that is 1"-1.5" longer than stock. For some reason, the lengths of belts changed from year to year (even 98+) so you'll have to do a little bit of math and figure it out on your own *
--------------
I also highly recommend doing the "Big 3" upgrade when doing the AD244 mod. Stock wiring CAN take the 200+amps that the AD244 puts out, but if you are having problems with it, then it is probably the wiring.
--------------
So, if I had things my way, every s10/blazer would have an AD244 as their alternator, even if they have a stock electrical system.
http://www.s10forum.com/forum/f27/how-to-high-output-ad244-alternator-for-80-a-376788-post5752326/#post5752326
so i decided to try it on a cavalier since i had an extra ad244 alt laying around. If you do this you will need a longer belt. 1" longer than stock should do. (sorry i dont know stock sizes) but if your alternator has a smaller than stock pulley on it you will not need a longer belt (like i did).
the mounting points for the ad244 are about the same as the cavalier one as you can see in his pic.
ad244 large case on bottom, stock cav on top
you will notice one of the mounting ears on the cavalier one is not as deep, this is why you need to buy a longer bolt and nut to go through the large case alt.
this is what i bought according to my recipt.
5/16-18 hex jam nut- 1
5/16 x 3" full thread bolt-1
1/4" flat washer zinc-3 (1 for each end of the bolt and 1 for the charging terminal of the alt.
the alternator bolts right up and plugs right in. no cutting of wires or rewiring anything. to take the oem alt off there are 2 13mm bolts and 1 15mm bolt, plus the regulator connection and charging post.
here are some pics
large case looks huge in there
stock alt
ad244 on and charging
size comparison
this is why you need a longer belt.
ad244 on bottom
thats a pretty decent mod, this might sound dumb but i don't know much about the alt but does eco have the same alt. as the 2200?
WildCard wrote:thats a pretty decent mod, this might sound dumb but i don't know much about the alt but does eco have the same alt. as the 2200?
wont work on the eco for sure im not 100% positive about the 2.4
Eco has a different bolt pattern, so no. So does the 2.4. A CS-144D should also bolt up and plug into it also.
So this will or wont work on the 2.2 ? What would work if not ? Can't see myself paying 600 for an alt, even tho I need one.
SPLCavy wrote:So this will or wont work on the 2.2 ? What would work if not ? Can't see myself paying 600 for an alt, even tho I need one.
I'm sorry.. did you look at anything posted here?
if by 2.2 you mean the OHV yes it will work (there's a picture of it on the car for christ's sake)
if by 2.2 you mean the ecotec, NO it will not work.
Don't have to be an ass.
Some peoples children.
SPLCavy wrote:
Don't have to be an ass.
Some peoples children.
Yes, I do.
I knew the answer by reading the information provided in this thread. How come you can't do it?
He's not an ass. He's just stating the obvious, as shown in the picture by the OP.
and btw, this is a great post by the OP.
If I still had my OHV, I def would have done this upgrade once upon a time. I can't believe how simple swapping to a much larger alternator is for the OHV.
the eco doesn't have it so easy.. our engine has no brackets, everything is direct mounted to the engine, so the casting for our alternator is unique to the ecotec.
I did, and nowhere did it say what motor, until someone said other then 2200 will it fit an eco. I was just makeing sure it was a 2200 and not 2.4.
Enough said.
any large cases bolt up to the 2.4?
Stephen you are god. Where was this how to when I was going to do this! So I dont need an external voltage regulator? When I discussed this with lanman he said he was using one.
TheSundownFire wrote:Stephen you are god. Where was this how to when I was going to do this! So I dont need an external voltage regulator? When I discussed this with lanman he said he was using one.
no dont need an external regulator unless you want the normal 14.4 at a warm idle. at startup im at 14.9. at operating temp and defrost ,ac, 4 hid ballast and fans on high my voltage is 14.32 at the lowest. before is would dip to about 13.2. i dont even have a system in the car right now just a kenwood deck and factory speakers.
missinglinkaudio.com also make a inline module to raise you voltage up to 15.7 or anywhere in between . I highly recomend them if you want a little extra voltage without running a 16/18v system. more voltage=more power
the cav will get a small system in it soon maybe around 800-1000rms
Also forgot to add these alts use a 6 grove pulley and our cars (2200's at least) use a 5 grove. you can either buy a smaller 5 grove pulley or just use the 6 grove(mine is) but if you just bought a new belt and dont want to buy another one you can buy a new pulley just get a 5 grove.
SPLCavy wrote:I did, and nowhere did it say what motor, until someone said other then 2200 will it fit an eco. I was just makeing sure it was a 2200 and not 2.4.
Enough said.
Aside from the picture of the 2200 motor,the S-10 IIRC never came with the 2.4l as an option.
Right. Iron duke, 2.8, 2.2, 2200, and 4.3
Stephen wrote:Also forgot to add these alts use a 6 grove pulley and our cars (2200's at least) use a 5 grove. you can either buy a smaller 5 grove pulley or just use the 6 grove(mine is) but if you just bought a new belt and dont want to buy another one you can buy a new pulley just get a 5 grove.
Would the pulley from the stock alt work?
TheSundownFire wrote:Stephen wrote:Also forgot to add these alts use a 6 grove pulley and our cars (2200's at least) use a 5 grove. you can either buy a smaller 5 grove pulley or just use the 6 grove(mine is) but if you just bought a new belt and dont want to buy another one you can buy a new pulley just get a 5 grove.
Would the pulley from the stock alt work?
yes but you will need a longer belt.
This is sticky worthy. Never did it, but when I had my old beater Escort with 60A alternator I'd read on the Escort forums about using alternators from other Ford cars as well. Probably a handful or less of different casings and a lot of interchangeability.
Theres more. Lanman has a large case but its not an AD244. Theres a few more threads I wish were stickied.
I have a CS144d from an S-10. I took of the stock bracket and it bolted to the ears that were left.
Your car may do 13 sec @ 103 mph, but my car does 146db @ 35 hz.
I had to take the rear bracket off on mine too.
