1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

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Old Dec 30, 2004 | 06:09 PM
  #1  
Pelezo's Avatar
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From: Shreveport, LA
Angry Alternator

Hey Guys,

I need to know where to find an alternator QUICK and FAST. I don't care if it's first generation or second I just need it to be a direct bolt on without any modifications.

I don't have time to look in the junkyards so does anyone know of anywhere or anyone who’s selling one?

My freaking alternator finally kicked the bucket trying to go down the road today, lights dimmed, then the car bogged down and died, no matter how high the RPM's where.

Thanks,
Eric M. Pelezo
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Old Dec 30, 2004 | 06:28 PM
  #2  
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Heavy Foot
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From: Shreveport, LA
I'll bump it all day/night if need-be...I've got work and I have no way to get there...
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Old Dec 30, 2004 | 06:35 PM
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yellow pages under battery or alternator look for a shop that sells both. some of them can rebuild an alternator right there on site.
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Old Dec 30, 2004 | 06:36 PM
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Hmmm, supply and demand. I'll sell you one for 500 bucks.... Sorry, free bump though, I know how that feels.
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Old Dec 30, 2004 | 07:13 PM
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dude calm down, orileys usually always has parts for my car, or atleast simple stuff like that, or even pep boys, chill out
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Old Dec 30, 2004 | 07:38 PM
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free bump, but if you did buy one from someone on the forum, by the time it gets to you, you could have gotten it from the local scrap yard or shop.....I'll be replacing mine soon too, best of luck.
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Old Dec 30, 2004 | 09:35 PM
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Local parts store. O'Reilly's would have it for you in less than a day probably. Mine would anyway, here in OKC.
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Old Dec 30, 2004 | 09:38 PM
  #8  
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Heavy Foot
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From: Shreveport, LA
Well,

The whole reason I'm posting it on these forums was to make sure the product I get is proven for an RX7, not some third party made from god knows what that probably wont last under the rotarys conditions (even for the belt slipping and what not).

I'm going to try and call in work tomorrow to see if I can go to a junkyard and find one; this ought to be fun on New Years Eve. I need to be looking for a second generation one right? (What year, model, etc?).

Thanks,
Eric M. Pelezo
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Old Dec 30, 2004 | 09:44 PM
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You can get anything first or second gen '88 and earlier and it will be a direct bolt in. Your car should have a 60 amp alt in it, so try to stay with at least a 60 amp alt (some first gens are 50 or 55 amp). The 86-88 second gens have a 60 amp alt in the NA models and the T2 models are 70 amp. You can get a S5 ('89-'91), they are 80 amp, but will require a slight wiring change.
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Old Dec 30, 2004 | 11:57 PM
  #10  
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got mine at o-reillys a couple weeks ago, they had it in stock, it even came with the pulley, so it was on in like 10 minutes. Oh yeah, cost $59
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Old Dec 31, 2004 | 12:02 AM
  #11  
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Originally Posted by gsl-se addict
You can get anything first or second gen '88 and earlier and it will be a direct bolt in. Your car should have a 60 amp alt in it, so try to stay with at least a 60 amp alt (some first gens are 50 or 55 amp). The 86-88 second gens have a 60 amp alt in the NA models and the T2 models are 70 amp. You can get a S5 ('89-'91), they are 80 amp, but will require a slight wiring change.
the way I understood it was that s4 was 60 amps, s5 was 70 amps, and FD was 100 amps.
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Old Dec 31, 2004 | 12:15 AM
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Nope, the break down is like:

86-88 NA 60 amp
87-88 T2 70 amp
89-91 NA or T2 80 amp
93+ 100 amp

I know the GSL-SE is also 60 amp and I think maybe the other '84-'85 cars are also 60 amp. I think the '79 and '80 are 50 amp. With the remaining first gens being 55 amp. I have a S5 T2 alt (80 amp) on my GSL-SE, and I really like it a lot. My SE alt was on its way out (bad diode) anyway, so I figured I might as well upgrade in the process. You can get the S5 alts on here and eBay sometimes for like $30.

Kent
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Old Dec 31, 2004 | 02:41 AM
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do the S5 alts bolt right up? if not, what spacer/wiring are you using?

i just replaced mine for a OEM, wasnt too expensive actually. but had put in for $50 core charge. owe'll i had the core back there in a half hour in time to buy some oil for my next change.
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Old Dec 31, 2004 | 10:52 AM
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Originally Posted by gsl-se addict
Nope, the break down is like:

86-88 NA 60 amp
87-88 T2 70 amp
89-91 NA or T2 80 amp
93+ 100 amp

I know the GSL-SE is also 60 amp and I think maybe the other '84-'85 cars are also 60 amp. I think the '79 and '80 are 50 amp. With the remaining first gens being 55 amp. I have a S5 T2 alt (80 amp) on my GSL-SE, and I really like it a lot. My SE alt was on its way out (bad diode) anyway, so I figured I might as well upgrade in the process. You can get the S5 alts on here and eBay sometimes for like $30.

Kent
Hey Kent,

Can a 93+ 100amp altenator bolt onto a 1 gen?
Reason I ask is because I have a chevy altenator on mine.
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Old Dec 31, 2004 | 11:00 AM
  #15  
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My suggestion is the local autoparts stores. They usually will give you a lifetime warranty, and it will be a direct replacement, straight bolt on. Advance, Autozone, Pep Boys, whatevers near you.
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Old Dec 31, 2004 | 11:13 AM
  #16  
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Pep Boys. If it goes bad they replace it. Done it, been there. I bolted it on in the hospital parking lot in like 15 min.
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Old Dec 31, 2004 | 01:32 PM
  #17  
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Originally Posted by Paradox
do the S5 alts bolt right up? if not, what spacer/wiring are you using?

i just replaced mine for a OEM, wasnt too expensive actually. but had put in for $50 core charge. owe'll i had the core back there in a half hour in time to buy some oil for my next change.
Yep, the S5 alts bolt right up. Either T2 or NA. The wiring is pretty simple. The only difference is that the S4 and earlier alts had one wire for the idiot light and one wire that is a switched ignition source, while the S5 and later have one wire for the idiot light and one wire that is a constant battery source. The difference comes about because they use different style regulators. The S4 and earlier are referred to as an L/R type, while the S5 and up are L/S. So it is really just a change of one wire.

If you hook the S5 alt like the S4, it will work but there will be a drain on the battery when the ignition is off (will kill your battery in a couple days) and some have reported too high of a voltage output when connecting it incorrectly. This is due to the resistance from the battery to the ignition switch to the alt. This make the alt output more than needed causing an overcharge on the battery. Read this thread, I had inittab add it to the FAQ awhile ago. It will explain further.

https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generation-specific-1979-1985-18/2nd-gen-alt-1st-gen-373411/


Originally Posted by ssglopezvm
Hey Kent,

Can a 93+ 100amp altenator bolt onto a 1 gen?
Reason I ask is because I have a chevy altenator on mine.
The best way to put a third gen alt into a first gen is to get an FD alt by silverrotor here on the board.
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=363910

He sells the tested and modified alts for $165 plus shipping. His prices are actually less than the rebuilt alts (for FD) at autozone, plus a core isn't required. The main modification is the pulley because the third gen uses a serpentine belt instead of the v-belt. Once you have a silverrotor FD alt, it will drop right in with just the addition of the wiring mods that I mentioned above (S5 is wired just like S6). He doesn't sell these alts all of the time, so if you are thinking about getting one, you should go ahead and contact silverrotor.

Hope this helps.

Kent
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