Jump to content
  • When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

yet another alternator post


grizzlebar

Recommended Posts

Looking at swapping out to a higher amp alternator and seems like it is limited to the following options:

 

Rebuild current

     Pros: Know it'll fit

     Cons: need to find a shop to do it

 

E-Bay special (BNR/Eagle Auto)

     Pros: Promises of drop in replacement, reasonably priced ($200ish)

     Cons: Seems like not everyone is satisfied

 

Rush Power Systems:

      Pros: drop in replacement, quality

      Cons: Pricey (by comparison) $400+

 

Junkyard special

     Pros: need to find all of the parts

     Cons: may require some modification, also may not work

 

Am I missing anything here? Anyone go one route and regret it?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Perhaps a variant of #2 and #4 but the other option is to buy an OEM alternator off ebay/Craigslist or a BMW forum.  In the case of say, an e30 318i unit, the required additional components are well documented.

 

I bought one and replaced the regulator and brushes for a grand total of $7 (Rock Auto had a sale on Bosch parts).  Had it tested and it is fully to spec.  Also bought an OEM e32 starter off ebay and it works perfectly with no "upgrades".

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

10 hours ago, Healey3000 said:

Perhaps a variant of #2 and #4 but the other option is to buy an OEM alternator off ebay/Craigslist or a BMW forum.  In the case of say, an e30 318i unit, the required additional components are well documented.

 

 

this is the way I went.  Back in 2008, when I was rebuilding the engine, the hot setup for alternators was the 84 318i alternator.  Don't remember if it was specifically an 84 but my notes say 84 several times.  80 amps or so IIRC.  What I really recall was the alternator bracket to the block was the difficult item to find.  It took me quite a while before I finally found the bracket.

Bob

BMWCCA #4844 (#297 of The 308)

1974 2002 Sahara, MM 2400 Rally engine, MM 5 speed and conversion

1976 2002A Anthracite parts car

1991 525i AlpinweiB II

2002 330ci AlpinweiB III

2007 530xiT Titanium Silver

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have a BNR,  works great or work as advertised. I find alternators are largely consumable.  I am not sure of the 318 series of alternators, but in terms of bearings, they all seem to just have sleeve bearing, which is not friendly to people that like to spool up their engines.   Also, there seems to inversely proportionately amount of amps you get out of one as opposed to the lifecycle.  In my experience, It is largely due to heat and the size of the components in the internal regulator.  

 

 

"Goosed" 1975 BMW 2002

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Question here. No attempt at hijack...if you think I am, ignore me.

 

I have read somewhere that the wonderful beefed up high output alternators really don't put out a lot until they are really spinning. Is there a chance that they can be putting out less charge at idle than a stock Alt? 

Loose: Not tightly bound. Subject to motion.
Lose: What happens when you are spell check dependent.

 

1975 Malaga. It is rusty but runs. Just like me. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So here's the details from my conversation with Darren of RPS: (its an amalgamation of three emails based on some needs-based discussion)

 

Always good to positive feedback, we have done quite a few of the members 2002s and we do offer a group discount. the alternators we offer are all bolt in, with no fabrication required. However the factory brackets are not consistent, at first we had thought there were two different brackets but it seems there are production issues. So sometimes the alternator requires an adaptor bracket, and we supply one, if you don’t need it you can toss it. The factory alternator is underpowered for the vehicle needs, but it was all they had to work with. for example, your factory alternator will do 5 to 10 amps at an idle. There is a factory style alternator that is a newer Bosch but it will only do about 15-25 amps at an idle. Our alternator is capable of producing up to 70 amps at an idle, but only if the vehicle needs it, it will not over charge the battery. How much power did you need? Or what electrical accessories have you added and I can do the math

You have a limitation in how much power you can run and that is your "V" belts. A V-belt can't make tight turns, we are limited to about 200 amps. When you run a high amp alternator you change the power curve, so to bring it back in line with stock you run a smaller pulley, on a multi-rib belt system we can go as small as 1.5 inch diameter, but on a V-belt we can't go any smaller than 2 inch.

So here is the break down, we assume about 50 amps for the vehicle, however LEDs pull a fraction of the power as standard bulbs, so your needs would be more like 30 amps. Your fan will add 20 amps back into the mix. A fuel injection system will need about 20 amps, so you are at 70 amps. We don’t really add the windows and locks because they are not in use that much.

So with a 200 amp alternator, you are looking at 130 left over for the stereo, so that is 1820 watts. So now we need to talk about how you use it, if you are constantly at low RPM, light cursing, and if you play the stereo at full to 3/4 volume, then keep the stereo wattage below 1300 watts. Another factor is your location, as an alternator heats up it produces less power, we rate our alternators hot but if you are in Texas, your hot can be different from our testing hot. We have a special coating we can apply to the case to help it to run cooler. One final thing to keep in mind, 200 amps is at about 2500 engine RPM, at idle we can get it to about 130 amps, but depending on how many watts you run, you may need to look at an additional battery or a stereo capacitor to fill in any gaps.

 

Plan for heat, so here is what I would recommend, 200 amp alternator with heat reducing coating, install kit that includes the connector and bracket if you need it. the total is $XXX. So the discount would be $XX for a total of $XXX and that includes shipping.

You don’t want to run an alternator at full power all the time, so it is always better to have more power than you need. If your stereo needs will stay quite low, say under 750 watts, you could go with a 150 amp alternator. The same thing in a 150 amp is $XXX so the discount would be $XX for a total of $XXX

The heat reducing coating process takes a week to 10 days but other than that all parts are in stock. Let me know if you have any questions or if you would like to order one, I can send you an electronic invoice for which ever one you select.
 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 11 months later...

Update: ended up finding a 318i being parted out and picked up the alternator and brackets for a song. @Healey3000, do you remember which parts you ordered?

 

Also, anyone have a good guide on rebuilding the alternator itself? I'll need to clean up and paint the casing too as it will definitely not match my engine.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 10/27/2017 at 11:04 AM, grizzlebar said:

-Bay special (BNR/Eagle Auto)

     Pros: Promises of drop in replacement, reasonably priced ($200ish)

     Cons: Seems like not everyone is satisfied

 

Everyone may not be satisfied but I’ve had no issue with my BNR high output internally regulated Tii drop in for 3 years now

 

84882EF7-A2BD-4E42-9263-502CF2025A6E.thumb.jpeg.6abdd956f115168257b403cdd74deec8.jpeg

I don't take myself or opinions Seriously

My 4th 2002 and the first set of Square Tail-Lights

See the 4 versions of my 2002 project here: SoCal S2002 | Facebook

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Double02 Salvage https://www.double02salvage.com/index.php used to sell a reasonably priced kit (less than $100, IIRC) consisting of an E30 318 alt (80 or 90 amps) with the lower bracket required to install it in any non-tii 02. Not sure if they still provide that kit, but this is plenty of power for an 02. Even with the 600 watts of stereo amps I have in my 02. I am using LED and HID lamps and other modern components, which cut down the other power requirements a bit.

  • Like 1

Chris B.

'73 ex-Malaga

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • BMW Neue Klasse - a birth of a Sports Sedan

    BMW Neue Klasse - a birth of a Sports Sedan

    Unveiling of the Neue Klasse Unveiled in 1961, BMW 1500 sedan was a revolutionary concept at the outset of the '60s. No tail fins or chrome fountains. Instead, what you got was understated and elegant, in a modern sense, exciting to drive as nearly any sports car, and yet still comfortable for four.   The elegant little sedan was an instant sensation. In the 1500, BMW not only found the long-term solution to its dire business straits but, more importantly, created an entirely new
    History of the BMW 2002 and the 02 Series

    History of the BMW 2002 and the 02 Series

    In 1966, BMW was practically unknown in the US unless you were a touring motorcycle enthusiast or had seen an Isetta given away on a quiz show.  BMW’s sales in the US that year were just 1253 cars.  Then BMW 1600-2 came to America’s shores, tripling US sales to 4564 the following year, boosted by favorable articles in the Buff Books. Car and Driver called it “the best $2500 sedan anywhere.”  Road & Track’s road test was equally enthusiastic.  Then, BMW took a cue from American manufacturers,
    The BMW 2002 Production Run

    The BMW 2002 Production Run

    BMW 02 series are like the original Volkswagen Beetles in one way (besides both being German classic cars)—throughout their long production, they all essentially look alike—at least to the uninitiated:  small, boxy, rear-wheel drive, two-door sedan.  Aficionados know better.   Not only were there three other body styles—none, unfortunately, exported to the US—but there were some significant visual and mechanical changes over their eleven-year production run.   I’ve extracted t
  • Upcoming Events

  • Supporting Vendors

×
×
  • Create New...