Alternator choice?

goinbroke2 · 07-08-2025, 03:16 PM

Running a stock ford alternator an regulator etc and was wondering what people use for alternator sizes?
1 wire 140amp? (one wire seems simpler...)
regular ford 48amp?

A 140amp alternator would give me peace of mind but how much drag will various alts have? Once the batt is back full the drag should be minimal regardless of size no??

Alan Roehrich · 07-08-2025, 07:35 PM

Powermaster 100 amp 1 wire. They;re even available adjustable for voltage output.

Crisco · 07-09-2025, 07:36 AM

House of Payne makes really nice 12v @ 100 amp alternators in a Super Mini and an Ultra Mini.

https://whitehouseperformanceparts.c...2v-alternator/

cordoba13 · 07-09-2025, 11:21 AM

napa full size Delco 1 wire 60 amp ? SW something, only about $60

goinbroke2 · 07-09-2025, 03:43 PM

Checking them out now. I'll get a 100+ amp one just so I won't have to worry between rounds!

Thanks, for the info guys!

Paul Precht · 07-09-2025, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goinbroke2

Checking them out now. I'll get a 100+ amp one just so I won't have to worry between rounds!

Thanks, for the info guys!

I don't run an MSD in my race car which I guess is a big draw in amperage but I run a stock 1963 30 amp alternator in my race car with a small pulley on the damper and never have to charge between rounds and I run the electric water pump and fan between rounds to cool sometimes.

Rory McNeil · 07-10-2025, 12:12 AM

Like Paul, I have found the factory equipment alternator more than adequate. On my 85 Mustang Stocker, as well as my 78 Fairmont bracket car, I used the factory alternator and external voltage regulator, Ford offered them in several different output ratings, I think the alternator that has been in my Fairmont for almost 40 years, is less than 50 amps. That said, I am also using a full sized conventional battery, with 500-600 CCA. My cars have much of the typical drag car stuff, like an electric water pump, electric fan, electric fuel pump (s), and a MSD ignition, although I run 6 series boxes, I believe the 7 series boxes take a fair bit more current to operate. Over the years, I have found that as long as I had the battery fully charged before the race weekend, with the full size battery and alternator, I can usually go thru a 2 or 3 day race weekend without having to fire up the generator and charging the battery between rounds. About the only time that I charge the battery, is if I am in a "hot lap" situation during later rounds, especially on a hot day, so that I have to run the fan and water pump a lot. Obviously, if your alternator is non functional, that wouldn`t work.

Eman · 07-10-2025, 11:46 AM

How much amperage do you think you need? What gauge wire are you running from the alternator that can carry the amperage?

cad · 07-10-2025, 12:37 PM

Ive spoken with Tuff Stuff Performance. Their CS130 alternator is exactly the same one that is re-sold by hop. They can be purchased from summit. I have had both, and currently running the Tuff Stuff branded alternator. 7500rpm and it puts out 14.1v at 1000 rpm...
I do use hop's starter which is fantastic.

CMcAllister · 07-10-2025, 08:59 PM

Nice stuff? Paynes

Budget? Delcotron with a one wire kit. You can carry parts for it - diode trio and rectifier - and fix it at the track if it breaks.

07-08-2025, 03:16 PM	#1
goinbroke2 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: NS CANADA Posts: 882 Likes: 1,533 Liked 380 Times in 147 Posts	Alternator choice? Running a stock ford alternator an regulator etc and was wondering what people use for alternator sizes? 1 wire 140amp? (one wire seems simpler...) regular ford 48amp? A 140amp alternator would give me peace of mind but how much drag will various alts have? Once the batt is back full the drag should be minimal regardless of size no?? __________________ Jim Miller 103 U/SA

07-08-2025, 07:35 PM	#2
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,101 Likes: 1,558 Liked 1,780 Times in 405 Posts	Re: Alternator choice? Powermaster 100 amp 1 wire. They;re even available adjustable for voltage output. __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S

07-09-2025, 07:36 AM	#3
Crisco Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Hendersonville, TN 37075 Posts: 225 Likes: 4 Liked 44 Times in 20 Posts	Re: Alternator choice? House of Payne makes really nice 12v @ 100 amp alternators in a Super Mini and an Ultra Mini. https://whitehouseperformanceparts.c...2v-alternator/

07-09-2025, 11:21 AM	#4
cordoba13 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2023 Location: westerly RI Posts: 14 Likes: 1 Liked 9 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Alternator choice? napa full size Delco 1 wire 60 amp ? SW something, only about $60

07-09-2025, 03:43 PM	#5
goinbroke2 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: NS CANADA Posts: 882 Likes: 1,533 Liked 380 Times in 147 Posts	Re: Alternator choice? Checking them out now. I'll get a 100+ amp one just so I won't have to worry between rounds! Thanks, for the info guys! __________________ Jim Miller 103 U/SA

07-10-2025, 12:12 AM	#7
Rory McNeil VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: from Vancouver BC Canada, now in Nova Scotia Posts: 1,310 Likes: 314 Liked 1,100 Times in 301 Posts	Re: Alternator choice? Like Paul, I have found the factory equipment alternator more than adequate. On my 85 Mustang Stocker, as well as my 78 Fairmont bracket car, I used the factory alternator and external voltage regulator, Ford offered them in several different output ratings, I think the alternator that has been in my Fairmont for almost 40 years, is less than 50 amps. That said, I am also using a full sized conventional battery, with 500-600 CCA. My cars have much of the typical drag car stuff, like an electric water pump, electric fan, electric fuel pump (s), and a MSD ignition, although I run 6 series boxes, I believe the 7 series boxes take a fair bit more current to operate. Over the years, I have found that as long as I had the battery fully charged before the race weekend, with the full size battery and alternator, I can usually go thru a 2 or 3 day race weekend without having to fire up the generator and charging the battery between rounds. About the only time that I charge the battery, is if I am in a "hot lap" situation during later rounds, especially on a hot day, so that I have to run the fan and water pump a lot. Obviously, if your alternator is non functional, that wouldn`t work. __________________ NHRA 6390 STK M/S 85 Mustang

07-10-2025, 11:46 AM	#8
Eman Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: E TN Posts: 472 Likes: 16 Liked 133 Times in 76 Posts	Re: Alternator choice? How much amperage do you think you need? What gauge wire are you running from the alternator that can carry the amperage?

07-10-2025, 12:37 PM	#9
cad Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 700 Likes: 200 Liked 91 Times in 51 Posts	Re: Alternator choice? Ive spoken with Tuff Stuff Performance. Their CS130 alternator is exactly the same one that is re-sold by hop. They can be purchased from summit. I have had both, and currently running the Tuff Stuff branded alternator. 7500rpm and it puts out 14.1v at 1000 rpm... I do use hop's starter which is fantastic. Last edited by cad; 07-10-2025 at 12:52 PM.

07-10-2025, 08:59 PM	#10
CMcAllister Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Fulton County, PA Posts: 606 Likes: 16 Liked 897 Times in 251 Posts	Re: Alternator choice? Nice stuff? Paynes Budget? Delcotron with a one wire kit. You can carry parts for it - diode trio and rectifier - and fix it at the track if it breaks.