slick Posted October 2, 2006 Report Share Posted October 2, 2006 The 'Big 3' is needed when you upgrade to a high output alt. If you dont, youll burn out the alternator faster, or burn up the wires because stock is too small to carry the current load. Hell, I recommend it even if you have the stock alternator and battery. I noticed right away that all of my interior lights seemed brighter, and the volt guage dropped much less often over stock. It's a definate help when you have an stereo system in your vehicle, and a definate mod if your making a good amount of power. Jay, willing to bet it was just a defective alt. I've always heard good things about the high output alts. Matt, If you want me to help you out with a Big 3 upgrade (plus more) let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SigEpCutlass Posted October 2, 2006 Report Share Posted October 2, 2006 That sucks Jay. Just be happy you can change an alt on a L82 in like 15mins or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
19Cutlass94 Posted October 2, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2006 haha yeah. Im getting to be a pro at changing them now too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevo Posted October 3, 2006 Report Share Posted October 3, 2006 You should be lucky you have a 3100 instead of an 3.4dohc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
19Cutlass94 Posted October 3, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2006 haha yeah! I got the label so I shipped it out today. Now I just hope Ill get a new one maybe by the end of the week or the begining of next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puggsley456 Posted October 10, 2006 Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 are you sure the metal part of the wire where it connects to the alternator isn't touching. something along the lines of that... ??? You lost me on that one. Everything is tight and where its suppose to be. I have a'Big 3' upgrade in 4g wire and thats all attached and it worked fine with the old alternator. I gotta call them up monday since the alternator has a 12month unlimited mile warranty. So hopefully everything will be ok and Ill send it back and they will gimme another one. I just hope I make it home tonight. BTW, worst part about changing a 3100 alternator is where that plastic bracket for the PS lines go. I hear you on that one. I broke mine off on alt install number three I believe. I had no luck with higher amperage alternators either. I just kept rebuilding the same one to a higher amperage. Until I finally got sick of remans. I forked out the cash for a lifetime warranty alternator and have been good since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
19Cutlass94 Posted October 10, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 yeah Im ready to just break that plastic bracket on purpose. Its PITA! But really, I do believe that alternator was a defect. I mean it quit in two days and was putting out less than 2v! There had to be something wrong because I didnt even have the radio on! But Im still waiting for my new alternator to get here... ( since they got the old one about 5 days ago...) But Ill give it some time to see how this goes... I mean since I basically got shipped a defect, I mean they could have great products and i got the 5 oclock special ya know.... so well see what happens before I give up on them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
19Cutlass94 Posted October 10, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 Update, Ill have my new alternator on thursday! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
19Cutlass94 Posted October 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2006 Ill have this new one today and Ill install it today to see how it works. Update to come later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
19Cutlass94 Posted October 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2006 Well the new one seems to be working like it should be! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonteCarloChick Posted October 12, 2006 Report Share Posted October 12, 2006 When we changed the alt. on the '86 last winter we happened to get a faulty one.. that was fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
97loudcut Posted October 12, 2006 Report Share Posted October 12, 2006 That's why you get it tested before you install it, atleast that's what I would have done.. D'0h Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonteCarloChick Posted October 12, 2006 Report Share Posted October 12, 2006 I'm not as smart as you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robby1870 Posted October 12, 2006 Report Share Posted October 12, 2006 Hindsight is 20/20. No one is going to test an new alternator before they install it. Plus, his broke a couple of days after install. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
19Cutlass94 Posted October 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2006 Well this does not look good. Driving around today, everytime I ould come to a stop, the voltage would just drop into the 12's ( like 12.3v ) So I tested a few things out, and it appears that everytime the car is in gear ( reverse, drive, 3,2,1 ) the voltage will drop. When the car is in park or neutral, the voltage holds. Now this does not happen with my old alternator. WTF?!?! this is the second time that this has happened! Now I thought of different pulley sizes, nope both the same. What would be making this happen in the alternator? Im probably just going to keep driving around until it dies. Then Ill probably get my money back. But I mean alternators dont need to be broken in or anything. Any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
97loudcut Posted October 14, 2006 Report Share Posted October 14, 2006 sounds like you got a piece of shit alternator.. this company is a scam probably. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
intern8tion9l Posted October 14, 2006 Report Share Posted October 14, 2006 you're def not having good luck. i say get a rebuild from con-rel and call it a day. $60 with a lifetime warranty, and you can get a more powerful one that your stock one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
19Cutlass94 Posted October 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2006 I found another company that makes the CS-130D, so I might be trying them out next after this one dies.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slick Posted October 14, 2006 Report Share Posted October 14, 2006 As stated above, go with a local rebuild with HD parts and high amperage output for far less than a new one. Most rebuilds are lifetime guaranteed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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