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Alternator upgrade options/questions.

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Old 12-28-12, 05:15 PM
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Alternator upgrade options/questions.

Help me make a decision. I have an an 88TII s4. The alternator went out and I want to upgrade. I have some questions before I make a decision. I was looking at these.

Alternators High Output, Alternators Automotive items in rx7 store on eBay!


questions.

1. WHy did mazda change the alternator wiring from s4's to s5's? IS the "More direct" wiring on the s5/s6 alternator better/superior to the s4 alt wiring?
2. SHould I even upgrade if i wont be having a sound system. Just your common performance acc's and gauges. (EBC,E-fan,ect)
3. Would a high amp alt. be a direct bolt on? What would need to be done to make a modded s6 220Amp alt. work.
Old 12-28-12, 05:39 PM
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Originally Posted by junito1
Help me make a decision. I have an an 88TII s4. The alternator went out and I want to upgrade. I have some questions before I make a decision. I was looking at these.

Alternators High Output, Alternators Automotive items in rx7 store on eBay!


questions.

1. WHy did mazda change the alternator wiring from s4's to s5's? IS the "More direct" wiring on the s5/s6 alternator better/superior to the s4 alt wiring?
2. SHould I even upgrade if i wont be having a sound system. Just your common performance acc's and gauges. (EBC,E-fan,ect)
3. Would a high amp alt. be a direct bolt on? What would need to be done to make a modded s6 220Amp alt. work.
1. Because they did=it doesn't matter. They just did. It's not better, just different. Respect the difference when you install your upgrade.

2.If you are running an Efan, yes, upgrade. The S4 alt is not up to the task.

3.You can buy a direct S4 bolt-on upgrade. You can modify the S6 upgrade. Neither one will charge at an idle. Read the warning right there on the sale page.

Warning:

Full output of 14.1 Volts will NOT be achieved at Idle!


That is not exactly what they say, but this is exactly what will happen. It is the nature of rewound alternators. That's why there are so many stock FD/S6 alternators used. They charge at idle. My Taurus alternator charges at Idle.

Good Luck!
Old 12-28-12, 06:11 PM
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1. Why does Mazda do anything?

2. Unless your current alt is new and working properly, why not upgrade?
And Jack is right, the efan requires the mod.

3. There are any number of other Mazda models that use the same alternator chassis as the FC but some are much higher output. I'm not conversant with the detail differences between S4 and S5 alt. mounting points but I grabbed a 626 alternator from the junkyard, had it tested (110A) and it bolted right in to my S5.
P-n-P wiring, as well.
It has no problem with the gigantic Lincoln efan, idle doesn't even blip when it activates.
Old 12-28-12, 06:36 PM
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When u bolted the 626 alt to your FC did u have to change a plug or anything on it or was that all the same as well? And are s4 and s5 alts the exact same? Like could I also use the 626 alt on my s4 bc I'm having charging problems at idle as well
Old 12-28-12, 07:32 PM
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It was a direct bolt-in, plug-in on the S5.

The wiring (and plugs, I would assume) are different between the two series.
Old 12-28-12, 08:09 PM
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I see. Im not cool with no charge at idle.
So currently it looks like the factory s6 alt. Is the way. Unless.i can use the 626 one and wire it like s5. Boom!


Thanks!
Old 12-28-12, 08:24 PM
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Grab a 626 alternator at a junkyard and snag the connector while you're at it. Hell, many mitsubishi and dodge vehicles use the exact same connector as the S5/S6 alternator connector.
Old 12-28-12, 08:29 PM
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As do Fords of the same era.
Old 12-28-12, 08:58 PM
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[QUOTE=clokker;11328440...I grabbed a 626 alternator from the junkyard, had it tested (110A) and it bolted right in to my S5.
P-n-P wiring, as well.
It has no problem with the gigantic Lincoln efan, idle doesn't even blip when it activates.[/QUOTE]

What year 626? 4cyl or 6 cyl?

Pulley change?
Old 12-28-12, 10:08 PM
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Originally Posted by jackhild59
What year 626? 4cyl or 6 cyl?
Sorry, no memory.
I got the idea to even look when cruising through the NAPAonline site.
They give specs on the parts not usually found and I was able to crossreference a number of different models that used the same basic alt frame.

Originally Posted by jackhild59
Pulley change?
My FC pulley had already been bored out to fit the FD alt shaft, it went right on the 626 shaft.
Old 12-28-12, 11:00 PM
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Well.. i was hoping the series 4/5 dual.beltnpulley was gonna.fit.on that 626 alt...

I guess either way i need to rewire an s6 or a 626 alt.plus buy/mod pulley.
Old 12-28-12, 11:00 PM
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Originally Posted by clokker
Sorry, no memory.
I got the idea to even look when cruising through the NAPAonline site.
They give specs on the parts not usually found and I was able to crossreference a number of different models that used the same basic alt frame.


My FC pulley had already been bored out to fit the FD alt shaft, it went right on the 626 shaft.
Specs on the 1993-2002 626 are 80 amps, checked it out on a couple of sources. Same as the S5. Same frame and connector, different clocking. Good for replacement, not an upgrade.

Did you know this alternator cost $1200 in 1993?
Old 12-28-12, 11:13 PM
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Anyone know what size the pulley should be bored to?
Old 12-29-12, 12:35 AM
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17mm is Fd spec.




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