Need a new alternator with more power, Lights dim:( Options

[Legit94GT]

Well i put in my sound system quite awhile ago i guess and after i broke everything in and finally bought an i pod for it, i realized that when i have it cranked way up at night all my lights dim:(

I know this is because my alternator isn't putting out enough juice, so i need to upgrade it to put out more.
I have called a few shops and no-one wants to build me for less than like 600 dollars, or sell me a "high output" one for around the same... I was thinking that this would only cost like $2-300...

Is getting a bigger alternator really that expensive or am i just looking in all the wrong places?
Anybody have a useful link or company name let me know:)

thanks
alot

[Bitter]

have you done the 'big 3'? google it up and do those if you havent.

[GTSOwner]

You HAVE to do the Big 3. The grounds on the 6gc are RIDICULOUSLY small.

[Legit94GT]

You HAVE to do the Big 3. The grounds on the 6gc are RIDICULOUSLY small.

Well i was planning on re-doing those wires when i got my new alternator and do it all at once...

Would just doing the cables really help all that much?

Bump for anyone who has put on an alternator with a higher working load to power all the elctronic gear in their car...

Any help is much appreciated:)

[GTS13]

Well, here's the skinny on "high-output" alternators. High-output alternators take better advantage of high RPMs over stock. The only issue with that is they actually put out lower numbers when you're idling. My recommendation would be to complete the big 3 now, and add a capacitor to your setup. My general rule of thumb is at least 1 farad for every 1k watts. And don't forget to charge the capacitor before you install it.

[brthrurik]

I did the "Big 3" and noticed a difference in the dimming but I still replaced my alternator with a 130 amp reman. from Eagle Auto Electric. I got lucky on Ebay, paid 110$ with shipping, works fantastic and puts out approx 75 amps at idle...

[lagos]

You can buy an 80amp replacement alt for an automatic celica gt. It plugs right in, and is at least some type of upgrade over the stock 70amp.

[Toyotacelicafan1]

Have you try putting a cap on your sound system buy a bigger ALT will help but then your going to need a stronger batter to support the amount the alt can handle. I installed sound system on the side for a long time so I would go that way first.

If the ALT still give you trouble then your ALT is read to crap the bed if you have a Volt meter check the car while running and see if your getting any ac voltage to the battery and see how much juice the ALT is draining, check dv voltage too. Could be also your battery not getting enough juice.

Alt job is to make the battery not run while the car is running and if the Alt is taking power from the batter I don't think a stronger cable or fuse would make a different I am not sure what the big 3 is but try my idea first before invest money out the door or play smoke geniue which will cost even more money.

This post has been edited by Toyotacelicafan1: Jul 6, 2008 - 12:41 AM

[njccmd2002]

where can i get the big 3 for our car