I have a 1980 RX7 with the original alternator installed. I would like to replace the old style alternator & external regulator with a newer version with internal components and more juice.

Is there a plug & play option... or will this take a lot of conversion? If so, how do I do it?

Thanks.

 

Is it an '80 or a '79? The '79 uses an external regulator and the '80 is internal. If you are not sure what you have, look at the back of the alternator. The '80 and later will have a 2 terminal connector. The '79 has like a 6 terminal connector. The later ones will also say "internal regulator" on the tags.

If you have an '80, alll of the RX-7 alts up to '88 are plug and play. The S5 alts ('89-'91) require a wiring change. The FD alts require the s5 wiring change + pulley change.

If you have a '79, there is a thread in the archive about updating it. The thread title is somthing like " '82 alt in a '79".

 

I double checked and you're right. My bad. I've got the 2 wire connection.

I thought the '79 and '80 used the same electrical design, except the '80 change over to electronic ignition instead of points.

I wasn't paying attention and mistook the noise suppression condensor and insulator mounted on the rear of the alternator as an external voltage regulator.

If I get another alternator that produces more than 50 amps, will that cause a problem?

 

Nope. No problems at all. The alt will regulate its output tomatch demand. For an easy upgrade, I would get an S4 ('86-'88) TII alt. Those are good for 70A. The S4 NA one will work too, but are 60A instead.

 

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-811005/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-810307/

 

Kragen Auto's online store has the 86-88 TII alternator (reman, autolite) at $74 right now... and is not citing a core charge, which is probably a mistake.