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Bang-for-the-buck charging system upgrades? '73 E-body #2608105
01/17/19 03:28 PM
01/17/19 03:28 PM
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BradH Offline OP
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Just curious if anyone has suggestions for charging system upgrades for my '73 Challenger that are basic & affordable parts swap-out mods? As far as I know, the setup now is all standard stuff w/ a generic parts store alternator. work

Re: Bang-for-the-buck charging system upgrades? '73 E-body [Re: BradH] #2608112
01/17/19 03:38 PM
01/17/19 03:38 PM
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Iowa
burdar Offline
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The best thing you can do is run a wire directly from the alternator + stud to the battery.(or to the starter relay) This will take a lot of load off of the bulkhead connector. With this mod, the alternator will be charging the battery directly, instead of having to go through the bulkhead twice.

The next thing would be to add relays to the headlights. This will take even more load off of the bulkhead. It should also fix the problem of the lights dimming at idle.

Re: Bang-for-the-buck charging system upgrades? '73 E-body [Re: BradH] #2608113
01/17/19 03:40 PM
01/17/19 03:40 PM
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New Braunfels, TX
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416challenger Offline
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I run the AR Engineering with the Denso 60 amp (Toyota) alternator. It seems to charge a lot better at low rpms than the factory Mopar stuff.

Re: Bang-for-the-buck charging system upgrades? '73 E-body [Re: BradH] #2608144
01/17/19 04:36 PM
01/17/19 04:36 PM
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S.E. Michigan
ZIPPY Offline
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The two easiest I know of:

The AR engineering bracket with denso/Toyota alternator

The Delco CS130 into a stock big block bracket + 3.00" spacer between the alternator and the head + stock bottom spacer. Original application '89 Cadillac Brougham with a 5.0. 85 to 105 amps depending on specific model.

Alot of GM guys don't like the CS 130 because it had reliability issues when it was new (which the aftermarket has probably addressed by now) + Delco made other larger/stronger alternators that bolt right on to their stuff.

The available space in front of the head is a limiting factor, and the output stud is close to an edelbrock head with the cs130 and older mopar/denso.

I tried early 90s denso, I believe 1991 ram, and felt it was too close to the cylinder head.

Not sure how important it is, but you might prefer something that can be sourced from the local parts store rather than being stuck with powermaster or some other specialty vendor's product?




Re: Bang-for-the-buck charging system upgrades? '73 E-body [Re: ZIPPY] #2608149
01/17/19 04:48 PM
01/17/19 04:48 PM
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Lincoln Nebraska
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RapidRobert Offline
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(1a) Nachos' bulkhead parallel bypass (1b) clean all terminals/connections including ground paths (check voltage drops on ALL points). (2) as said relay headlights/AC/heater to alt (3) as said if needed a better alt. I'm assuming the battery is in good shape


live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
Re: Bang-for-the-buck charging system upgrades? '73 E-body [Re: ZIPPY] #2608151
01/17/19 04:52 PM
01/17/19 04:52 PM
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Greentween Offline
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I use the CS130 alternator and wiring kits from madelectrical.com.Bolts onto a 440 with the stock bracket but modified spacers.I think I had to put a vee belt pulley on it in place of what came on it. Headlights run from relays.

Used to have electric fans, and at idle there was still a charge going to battery and headlights stayed bright even with those fans on.

Re: Bang-for-the-buck charging system upgrades? '73 E-body [Re: burdar] #2608162
01/17/19 05:18 PM
01/17/19 05:18 PM
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Avondale AZ
Prodart440 Offline
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Originally Posted By burdar
The best thing you can do is run a wire directly from the alternator + stud to the battery.(or to the starter relay) This will take a lot of load off of the bulkhead connector. With this mod, the alternator will be charging the battery directly, instead of having to go through the bulkhead twice.



Is this just an extra wire added, or is there cutting of old wires involved?

Will it work on a 68??


Aaron

68 Roadrunner 383/AT
69 Dart GT Conv. 383/AT
05 Dodge Ram 4x4 Cummins
06 GoManGo R/T Daytona #757
68 Coronet 440
Re: Bang-for-the-buck charging system upgrades? '73 E-body [Re: BradH] #2608164
01/17/19 05:25 PM
01/17/19 05:25 PM
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Andrewh Offline
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you can drop an 89 m-body alternator on it.
73 or 78 amps factory. fairly easy. if it is a sb, you may need the 10 dollar swing arm and spacer that they seem to sell at all parts stores.

I agree with the bulkhead bypass, I also bypassed the amp meter and both of those can be done without wire cutting, but I just cut them and spliced into them instead.

I also did a relay to the voltage reg so there wouldn't be any voltage drop to the charging system.

you can use the same alt on a single field charging system by grounding one of the fields on the alt to the body itself and it will charge just fine.

Re: Bang-for-the-buck charging system upgrades? '73 E-body [Re: BradH] #2608178
01/17/19 05:56 PM
01/17/19 05:56 PM
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So. Burlington, Vt.
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Borrow a little technology from the future....... or is it the past..... well, like this:

FC94F380-9C2E-4276-81B6-23715E4A289A.jpeg

68 Satellite, 383 with stock 906’s, 3550lbs, 11.18@123
Dealer for Comp Cams/Indy Heads
Re: Bang-for-the-buck charging system upgrades? '73 E-body [Re: BradH] #2608179
01/17/19 06:00 PM
01/17/19 06:00 PM
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Florida
BDW Online content
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Easy and effective is to switch over all bulbs to LED, this will reduce draw by >10A.

Re: Bang-for-the-buck charging system upgrades? '73 E-body [Re: BradH] #2608180
01/17/19 06:06 PM
01/17/19 06:06 PM
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Iowa
burdar Offline
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Quote:
Is this just an extra wire added, or is there cutting of old wires involved?


The MAD Electrical website has you cutting and splicing the factory wiring. You can read it here.
http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/amp-gauges.shtml

I'm not doing it exactly that way on my 68 Dart. I'm just going to keep the factory wiring intact but add the extra bypass wire. The bypass wire has a very low likelihood of shorting to ground but I'm still going to add a fusible like to it for my own piece of mind.

I'll be using relays on the headlights and on the convertible top motor to take as much load off the bulkhead as possible. I already bypassed the AMP gauge and will run a volt gauge instead.

Re: Bang-for-the-buck charging system upgrades? '73 E-body [Re: Andrewh] #2608182
01/17/19 06:09 PM
01/17/19 06:09 PM
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Colleyville
3hundred Offline
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Originally Posted By Andrewh
you can drop an 89 m-body alternator on it.
73 or 78 amps factory. fairly easy.


Like this one?

Amazon linky

Robert


'68 Fury Convertible
'69 300 Convertible
'15 Durango 5.7 Hemi
'16 300 S Hemi
Re: Bang-for-the-buck charging system upgrades? '73 E-body [Re: 3hundred] #2608189
01/17/19 06:18 PM
01/17/19 06:18 PM
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up yours
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Originally Posted By 3hundred
Originally Posted By Andrewh
you can drop an 89 m-body alternator on it.
73 or 78 amps factory. fairly easy.


Like this one?

Amazon linky

Robert


While that looks like the 89 M body Denso, it don't think it just bolts in. The 87 alternator does, but the factory changed the brackets when they went to the Denso in 88. I know when I put the Denso in my 87 M I used the 89 bracketry. I vaguely remember because that it was because the Denso didn't bolt in, but it's vague. The 87 alternator is the 78A unit, the 89 Denso is a 90A unit.


They say there are no such thing as a stupid question.
They say there is always the exception that proves the rule.
Don't be the exception.
Re: Bang-for-the-buck charging system upgrades? '73 E-body [Re: BradH] #2608198
01/17/19 06:28 PM
01/17/19 06:28 PM
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Kirkland, Washington
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Brad----it would help if you would be more specific about what aspect of the charging system's performance you are looking to "upgrade".

Many 'hi-output' alternators actually put out LESS amperage at low RPM! A person who idles their car in traffic with accessories on might run into problems by switching to a hi-po alt.

Output while traveling at speed is a different matter.

Re: Bang-for-the-buck charging system upgrades? '73 E-body [Re: burdar] #2608209
01/17/19 06:49 PM
01/17/19 06:49 PM
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Canuckville
68Cbarge Offline
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Originally Posted By burdar
The best thing you can do is run a wire directly from the alternator + stud to the battery.(or to the starter relay) This will take a lot of load off of the bulkhead connector. With this mod, the alternator will be charging the battery directly, instead of having to go through the bulkhead twice.

The next thing would be to add relays to the headlights. This will take even more load off of the bulkhead. It should also fix the problem of the lights dimming at idle.


X2
Make sure you wire in a fusible link or at least a 20 amp in-line fuse at the starter relay or battery which ever you tap into.

Also convert all bulbs inside and out to LED's as mentioned.

If you are doing any dash work,replace the old bi-metal 5 volt limiter for the gauges with an electronic one.

Another option is convert the ammeter gauge to read volts.
Hope this helps.


'68 Newport Custom Barge on a Budget!! BOAB
1973 Satellite WAGON! 318- 3 on the tree!!
2008 Chrysler 300c HEMI!
Re: Bang-for-the-buck charging system upgrades? '73 E-body [Re: BradH] #2608213
01/17/19 07:04 PM
01/17/19 07:04 PM
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Oregon
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AndyF Offline
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Originally Posted By BradH
Just curious if anyone has suggestions for charging system upgrades for my '73 Challenger that are basic & affordable parts swap-out mods? As far as I know, the setup now is all standard stuff w/ a generic parts store alternator. work


It depends on some stuff. How many amps do you need? Is it a single belt system running the water pump and alternator? Is the mechanical fuel pump still there or is it gone?

The 60A Denso kit that I've sold for years is a very simple setup that works really well. It also is lighter and smaller than the factory alternator. I'm now switching my personal stuff over to low mount alternators since I'm EFI and don't have a fuel pump. I have low mount kits for 90A or 60A Denso alternators. Both would fit with plenty of room in a big block E body car. I doubt that you need 90A in your car so the 60A is probably the way to go.

DSC_3238 (Large).JPG
Re: Bang-for-the-buck charging system upgrades? '73 E-body [Re: BradH] #2608216
01/17/19 07:06 PM
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Andrewh Offline
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more like
https://www.autozone.com/batteries-start...763001_962401_0

odd that 89 shows different. It is still an m-body, but whatever. This is the standard dual field I was talking about.
87 fifth ave does it for me when I look it up.

Re: Bang-for-the-buck charging system upgrades? '73 E-body [Re: Prodart440] #2608221
01/17/19 07:16 PM
01/17/19 07:16 PM
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Canuckville
68Cbarge Offline
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Originally Posted By Prodart440
Originally Posted By burdar
The best thing you can do is run a wire directly from the alternator + stud to the battery.(or to the starter relay) This will take a lot of load off of the bulkhead connector. With this mod, the alternator will be charging the battery directly, instead of having to go through the bulkhead twice.



Is this just an extra wire added, or is there cutting of old wires involved?

Will it work on a 68??

68 Newport and I add an extra wire and wrap it up with the factory harness..


'68 Newport Custom Barge on a Budget!! BOAB
1973 Satellite WAGON! 318- 3 on the tree!!
2008 Chrysler 300c HEMI!
Re: Bang-for-the-buck charging system upgrades? '73 E-body [Re: Andrewh] #2608226
01/17/19 07:22 PM
01/17/19 07:22 PM
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Originally Posted By Andrewh
more like
https://www.autozone.com/batteries-start...763001_962401_0

odd that 89 shows different. It is still an m-body, but whatever. This is the standard dual field I was talking about.
87 fifth ave does it for me when I look it up.


In 88 the M bodies switched to Denso alternators


They say there are no such thing as a stupid question.
They say there is always the exception that proves the rule.
Don't be the exception.
Re: Bang-for-the-buck charging system upgrades? '73 E-body [Re: BradH] #2608237
01/17/19 07:51 PM
01/17/19 07:51 PM
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Downtown Roebuck Ont
Twostick Offline
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Another vote for the Denso. They were available in some Toyota and Mopar applications with v-belt pulleys so a replacement is as close as your nearest Autozone in the unlikely event it ever fails.

Kevin

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