To Alternate Or Not To Alternate Thats The ?

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SickSickSick · #1 Post by **SickSickSick** » Mon May 22, 2006 6:22 pm

Hello ... new to the forum as well as drag racing. I recently built a 305 bored .060, 305HO pistons, speed pro .468/.480 Lift 304/287 Duration Cam, Edelbrock TR1-X Tunnel Ram, Holley 600 CFM VS, MSD Pro-Billet Distributor, Summit Full Length Headers. I Put It In An 85 IROC With Lakewood Drag Struts Running Stock 700R-4 Tranny W/O Lockup Stock rearend and STreet tires. Been to the drags three times. Car has a few problems one being it spins like a fool and the other being it goes through alternator belts like they are going out of style. the tunnel ram isn't stock alternator friendly and the after market bracket i bought just doesn't line up perfect. Which brings me to my question. Can i expect any horsepower gains by doing away with the alternator and pulleys and using an electric water pump. Also. Will A hot battery supply enough voltage throughout the run if I use a seperate battery for the distributor. Thanks. Sick

#2 Post by **John_Heard** » Mon May 22, 2006 10:28 pm

I'd highly advise just fixing the bracket and getting the pulley alignment fixed with a good alternator. You'll be glad you did, less hassle between rounds charging the battery/s up, better voltage for your ignition and other electrical devices (fuel & water pump, fans, etc) going down track... there are a lots of benefits. Not running one can be a real pain in the butt trying to keep the battery up.

SickSickSick · #3 Post by **SickSickSick** » Tue May 23, 2006 3:19 pm

Considering I'm Fixin To Go Magneto And The Only Drain Will Be Fan, Water Pump, And Starter. Still Think I Should Keep The Alternator? Sick

Bob West · #4 Post by **Bob West** » Tue May 23, 2006 7:59 pm

I think anyone is a fool for removing the alternator. If you get into the later rounds, not enough time to completely recharge and the car won't start in the lanes, gonna wish you had an alternator.

#5 Post by **John_Heard** » Wed May 24, 2006 8:58 am

Sick - if you do deceide not to use one, I'd suggust getting the 16 volt setup and charger. Those do work pretty good for the people that don't run an alternator, still have to go through the charging routine though.

Bob West · #6 Post by **Bob West** » Thu May 25, 2006 8:39 pm

Maybe fool is a strong word, cuz some think I'm a fool for drag racing such a heavy car and a street car at that. I'm all for low maintenance racing,set the tire pressure, run consistent, don't raise the hood on race day kinda deal. It has worked pretty good for me, finished 17th my first year, 6th, 10th, 12th and currently 9th this year.

SickSickSick · #7 Post by **SickSickSick** » Sat May 27, 2006 8:39 am

Will Look Into The 16 Volt System. I'm Still Not Sure What I'm Gonna Do Yet. The Charging Time Really Doesn't Bother At This Time. But, I Can See Where Eventually It Might Be A Hassle. I Suppose With A 16 Volt System You Use A Regulator? Sick

#8 Post by **John_Heard** » Mon May 29, 2006 8:45 am

I don't believe there are any changes to the car needed, you don't run an alternator with them. You must use the chargers made for the 16 volt systems though. If you're not going to use an alternator I truely think the 16 is the way to go.

partsmore · #9 Post by **partsmore** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 7:27 am

Just to let you know our 16 volt battery is a deep cycle battery - with very high reserve capacity and Ah rating. This means the battery maintains a higher voltage for a longer period of time. We have many users replacing two of the competitor batteries with one of ours, and maintaining a HIGHER voltages. One promod has run 4 races: 14 rounds, and had never charged the battery - still had 15.5 volts. We dont recomend this, but glad that he can focus on other things than charging batteries all the time.
Build to last, three terminal and the sealed AGM design will not spill or corrode the posts!

We also have alternators if you need them - including a reasonable priced Chrome Delco 16 volt coming soon!

On sale now at:
http://www.batteriesareus.com
402 408 5873

www.theVbattery.com

CoMax Racing · #10 Post by **CoMax Racing** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 9:55 am

Here's another vote for the alternator. I used to run without one and charge the battery between rounds. At first I thought "no problem" over time two things happened, I was every so often not getting the recharge time and the car would leave me at the starting line dead, second I found I was replacing batteries every year because of the hard charging I was giving them. This is not to say that these things happen every time but I have started to use the "KISS" priciple (keep it simple stupid), installed a 100 AMP denso mini alternator and have no longer had the problems.

Hope this helps

julven · #11 Post by **julven** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 1:57 pm

Another vote for a alternator here also.We have a 105 amp and still on cool nights when the bottle warmer is running alot we have to get the charger out just to keep up. We are running two 16" fans,water pump and bottle heater and we push it to the line so about the only run time is down the track and the return but I would hate to see it with out one.

Bob West · #12 Post by **Bob West** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 11:36 am

Julven, where is your avatar pic taken at?

#13 Post by **John_Heard** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 6:05 pm

That's KCIR Bob

julven · #14 Post by **julven** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 7:40 am

Yep its KCIR.We were back at KCIR this weekend I like to run there just wish it was as close as our local OIR Bob.Not to steal this theared but I am proud right now I made it to the semis this weekend at the VAMP race and for me that is a big accomplishment .Jason

TE418 · #15 Post by **TE418** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 10:02 pm

CoMax Racing wrote:installed a 100 AMP denso mini alternator

Who makes a 100 amp mini alternator? Ive got a mini denso that only puts out 55, Id love to get 100 out of a mini.

thanks

Chris.

To Alternate Or Not To Alternate Thats The ?

To Alternate Or Not To Alternate Thats The ?

Alternator or not

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