Upgraded my alternator to the Saab 80Amp yesterday - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

pawoSD · #1 09-21-2008, 10:23 AM

I pulled my old unit, pulled my terminal block and wiring and went to work.

I swapped pulleys using a 12V digital impact I picked up at Harbor Freight (sweet tool!!!), I then proceeded to mount my nice new $14 junk yard alternator (it is nearly brand new), its definatley bigger than the stock one but it just clears enough to get the belts on.

I used a brand new adjuster bolt because my old one was shot and broke off (too short). I also used a new MB OEM terminal block that was all clean and shiny. To connect up the alternator I tossed the original cable (but I did keep the blue wire for the battery light).

I bought a 19" "Duralast Gold" 2 Gauge hookup cable at autozone for $6, works perfectly, and is extremely excessively overkill.

I hooked it up to the alt and terminal block, put a new end on the blue wire and taped/zip tied it along the main wire, and hooked up everything, did a double check, and fired up the car. Way more juice! I love it! It can overcome my glow system at low idle and keep about 12.5V instead of 10V, above 1000RPM it will hold over 13V with EVERYTHING on.

With a normal load (blower, radio, lights, etc) it holds 14V solid, even at idle.

Awesome improvement, and it was only the 80A unit! Those extra 15A really help!

DeliveryValve · #2 09-21-2008, 10:29 AM

Pictures Please! So we can check it out the different parts you mentioned.

79Mercy · #3 09-21-2008, 04:50 PM

yes, pictures. What year and modle Saab did you pull the alt from? Im going to grab a alternator next time I go the JY.

#4 09-21-2008, 05:15 PM

Thats what I did. its only 15A but it does make a difference. The hardest part was getting the thing out of the stupidly designed Saab. I ended up punching a hole in the Saab's firewall for the pulley to clear it.

Most any 900 (turbo or not) will have an 80A unit, they are very common around here. I searched/watched for months for a 120A unit and I still have never come across one.

79Mercy · #5 09-21-2008, 05:47 PM

what year saab 900? I don't know anything about Saab.

a2t · #6 09-21-2008, 06:08 PM

yeh pics!

What kind of car?

Any why use junkyard alternator? Sort of a flight critical component..whats a new 1 (with wrong core that they wont realize) ? $120 ? Would HATE to do that job twice (any job really...)

GREASY_BEAST · #7 09-21-2008, 06:37 PM

not all that critical... i ran without one for a week once, no night driving, have to put the battery on the charger every night so the directionals work and it will start... extra 15 amps would be nice though.

Simpler=Better · #8 09-21-2008, 07:00 PM

I just did the same swap, except I used the 115A model (Ebay $120)

#9 09-21-2008, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by a2t

Any why use junkyard alternator? Sort of a flight critical component..whats a new 1 (with wrong core that they wont realize) ? $120 ? Would HATE to do that job twice (any job really...)

$120 for a new alternator or $35 for a junkyard alternator that has lasted more than two years without a single issue? The only thing I did was swap the voltage regulator because my stock 55A unit had a fairly new one.

1984-1994 Saab 900
http://www.***********************/details/QQSaabQQ900QQBoschQQAlternatorQQ19841994QQW0133-1600769.html

79Mercy · #10 09-21-2008, 07:13 PM

thanks forcedinduction, i'll get one next time I go to the junkyard.

pawoSD · #11 09-21-2008, 07:34 PM

I'll take some pics tomorrow when theres better light. The alternator came off a 1989 Saab 9000turbo with 199k on it. The alternator cost me $14, and was nearly new (it was still clean and the regulator brushes are about 95% there!). The last owner of the car must have just replaced it prior to the car dying or something....

I wanted the 115A unit but there was only the one saab, so I took what I could get. The 80A is plenty for what I currently need anyways.

I agree on the horrid design of the Saab, it took me over 2 hours to get the thing out of it. Insane! And I wasn't being careful! I smashed, loosened and broke anything and everything in my path to get at it...and it STILL took 2 hours.

79Mercy · #12 09-21-2008, 07:55 PM

do you remember what size tools were needed? I hope my pick n pull has a Saab 900.

pawoSD · #13 09-21-2008, 09:15 PM

A hammer, screw driver for prying, cutters (to cut belts), and 12 and 14mm wrenches and sockets I think....I just brought everything I own with me (a ton) and managed to get it off. Pretty sure thats what I used though. A plasma cutter would have been nice, to just cut the whole car away then retrieve the alternator.

moon161 · #14 09-21-2008, 09:16 PM

Older ones had an underspecified alternator. I had a 79 900, went through a couple. I'm sure to and from work at 40 mph in 5th didn't help it. Too bad rust at it. Sweet car.

Diesel911 · #15 09-22-2008, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

I pulled my old unit, pulled my terminal block and wiring and went to work.

I swapped pulleys using a 12V digital impact I picked up at Harbor Freight (sweet tool!!!),...

I like these so well I have one in each of 4 vehicles (they are sold for changing wheels when you have a flat) and 1 in the garage. It will do 95% of what a regular impact wrench will do (12 volt is nice if you have no air compressor). When on sale at Harbor Freight they were around $20.