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#1
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Alternator....Or No Alternator...That Is The Question
So I'm trying to narrow down on some things and one of them is whether or not I want to run an alternator.
The Car...1969 Firebird The Engine ...RAV The car will only be run on the track only. I'm still trying to finish up on the long block, so I haven't had it on a dyno yet. I'm assuming that the engine will cross the traps at a 7000 to 7500 RPM if not more. I'll be running a vacuum pump just not sure which yet. I'm looking for the pro's and con's of running the alternator and if I do run one which pulley's would be best to run so that I don't throw a belt?? Would running an underdrive or overdrive pulley be best. I have a ATI damper on the crank now. Looking to hear what the community is doing and thoughts on this. |
#2
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Running an electric water pump?
(I do and run the belt from relocated alternator to the crank pulley) Use an under-driven pulley. They made a bigger pulley aftermarket (Moroso?) It had deeper groove. I find a smaller crank pulley that also helps the alternator RPM's. I usually only charge the battery before race day and when done.
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John Wallace - johnta1 Pontiac Power RULES !!! www.wallaceracing.com Winner of Top Class at Pontiac Nationals, 2004 Cordova Winner of Quick 16 At Ames 2004 Pontiac Tripower Nats KRE's MR-1 - 1st 5 second Pontiac block ever! "Every man has a right to his own opinion, but no man has a right to be wrong in his facts." "People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought which they avoid." – Socrates |
#3
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If your do run a Alt you can wire in a cut out switch and charge the battery up some after a run while on the way back to the pits.
Also if your just in your pit spot already and checking timing you can have it charge then.
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I do stuff for reasons. |
#4
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I'd run an alternator. Do the math on the pulley sizing to keep the alternator below it's redline at max engine rpm.(usually <18000 on Delco stuff but find out for the one you use)
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'65 Tempest 467 3650# 11.30@120.31 |
#5
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Quote:
But it was with a 36 amp alternator. |
#6
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Always ran one. Fuel pumps, electric water pump, MSD ect all take some amps to run. And if you get into the late rounds, there's rarely any productive charging time.
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Jack Ferris RestoRacing LLC www.restoracing.com Sandy, UT --------------------------------------------------- |
#7
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How about running off of the drive shaft ?
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#8
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Both KRE and Butler sell the proper pulleys for an alternator in a drag race application. They are deep groove and if properly aligned you will not throw a belt. Most of the competitive bracket racers I know run alternators. If you are a heads up racer or on a budget then buy the best batteries you can and a good charger.
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#9
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I run an 63 amp alternator. I have the car on a trickle charger when I am not racing. I never have to charge it at the track. Ran with out and never see any difference in et. I ran the charge wire back to the battery so the kill switch would still shut the car off. I am using the stock crank pully and a deep alt. pully.
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#10
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I was asked about electrical items I was planning on using:
-QuickStar Maga Fuel Pump -Meizer water pump -MSD Power Grid -O2 sensors -Line- lock -Car is wired for headlights, rear lights and markers for night runs, one interior L.E.D light -guages with lights -Switching for electrical componets with L.E.D lighting -electrical activated shifter -12 volt electrical fan in the interior -Dual electrical radiator fans -trans brake -possibly NOS solenoids |
#11
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I have run one for years. You don't want to miss a run because you are still charging your battery.
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A new best of 9.135 @ 145.41 71 Lemans Sport. 72 Lemans Sport. |
#12
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A 36 amp Alt is plenty for a true race vehicle that you don't have a 2000 watt 4.1 stereo in along with a 3ft X 8" 2 farid capacitor in.
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I do stuff for reasons. |
#13
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Quote:
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'65 Tempest 467 3650# 11.30@120.31 |
The Following User Says Thank You to Scott65 For This Useful Post: | ||
#14
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I recently read that the late 60s 37A alternator put out a specified 6 amps at idle. 6 Amps is a number that sticks in your head.
I do remember my ole 68 LeMans (37A in an AC car?) would go dim to bright, when going off-idle. |
#15
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Quote:
Use an internal regulated alternator. (less wiring also)
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John Wallace - johnta1 Pontiac Power RULES !!! www.wallaceracing.com Winner of Top Class at Pontiac Nationals, 2004 Cordova Winner of Quick 16 At Ames 2004 Pontiac Tripower Nats KRE's MR-1 - 1st 5 second Pontiac block ever! "Every man has a right to his own opinion, but no man has a right to be wrong in his facts." "People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought which they avoid." – Socrates |
#16
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Yes, Ext Click Solenoid Regulator. That was 1981. Went to Int REG Alts on all my PMDs by 1986
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#17
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I use a 100 amp one-wire alternator with an oversized pulley for a 62 amp electrical load (Mark VIII fan pulls 44 amp).
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1967 Firechicken, 499", Edl heads, 262/266@0.050" duration and 0.627"/0.643 lift SR cam, 3.90 gear, 28" tire, 3550#. 10.01@134.3 mph with a 1.45 60'. Still WAY under the rollbar rule. |
#18
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Similarly, I went with a 150 amp, with a ~3 1/4" diameter pulley. I have to be more particular with idle amperage due to efi. This way the charge is great at idle and I don't worry about over speeding the alternator. (Which I have had happen in the past. Fiberglass hoods and exploding alternator fans are bad...)
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'65 Tempest 467 3650# 11.30@120.31 |
#19
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Quote:
If you run 16 volt, get an Alternator! They don't have the Amp Hours or storage capacity of good 12 volt stuff and keeping them charged is mandatory.
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Dave Polichena |
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Dave Polichena For This Useful Post: | ||
#20
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It looks like I’m in the minority. I don’t run an alternator. There is usually plenty of time to charge batteries between rounds. When I did run an alternator with an oversized pulley it didn’t charge at idle, only going down the track and I needed to charge anyway. I rarely double enter but have and didn’t have any issues. I run a 16v battery. I have a small portable generator I can take to the lanes when at a track that runs round robin and want you to cool in the lanes. My brother runs an alternator and occasionally it will lose the belt. You know to look for the belt when his car picks up a tenth out of nowhere.
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Come take a ride http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7Y8Awfk2I0 2008, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019 Central Il Dragway Mod track champion and 2015 IHRA Div 5 Mod champion |
The Following User Says Thank You to Probird For This Useful Post: | ||
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