hey my car usually runs around 12.5-13 volts. i was reading something about alternators somewhere, and it was talking about your car should be running at about 14.4 volts. my headlights always seemed dim but i thought it was just because my friend said they were angled straight down, could it be because my voltage is lower, and if so, how do i increase my voltage?

Thigpen,

Yes, when the car is running, your volt meter should read anywere from 13 to 14 amps. This lets you know that your battery is charging. My guess is that you may have the wrong alternator in your car. I know of two types; 90 amps & 110 amps. Does your car have power windows, AC unit, etc...you may be running on a 90 amp when you may need a 110 amp. If you email me your VIN number, then I can tell you exactly what needs to be in your car by looking it up in CAPS. Take out your alternator and look at the back of it to check the amps, 90 or 110. If you car is power everything then I recomend running a 110 amp alternator. Does your battery ever go weak at times? Here are some tips for alternator removal and replacement:

http://www.stealth316.com/2-alternator.htm

Hope this helps,
3000GT

:sunce:

yea ive been reading in some forums since im about to pub some subs in my car and i was looking at alternators... i might get something alot more powerful than an 110 amp alternator... since its already low, and if im putting 2 10W3's in my car i might need still more power. i know it might take a way a little bit of hp and gas mileage, but i dont race my car anyway and it would be worth it to be able to see and have good sounding system.

Wow, in that case you may want to add an additional battery in your car. Check this link out...

http://www.stealth316.com/2-dynabatt.htm

ok, first, volt meters read volts, not amps, I have an alternator in my hands right now, and cannot see anywhere on it, back or front where the amperage output is, the 90amp alternators were for sohc engines, and I think they were mounted in the back lower part of the engine compartment....., also, I seriously dont think that they both will fit, I may be wrong on that though......., and I dont think that you can get another alternator to fit in the same spot or any other spot easily, it would take a lot of fabrication and a lot of labor time......but on the main topic.... my volt meter shows about 12.5 at idle, and it goes up to about 13.5 while cruising.... this is my second alternator, and both of the ones I had, had the same exact readings....

Sorry 'bout that, I meant to say volts; was late in the evening (and I'm aware of the whole water in the hose theory), my bad. There are three alternators that look identical; 90,95 & 110 amps. I know this because I've seen them and I have a 90 amp in my car that I'm about ready to pull out of there (Stealth Base models used them; $90 rebuilt). The auto parts geek told me it was the correct part for the car and guess what, he was wrong. I had my brother test it for me. With the AC on high, Radio blasting, Head and fog lights turned on while cursing; I get a 12 volt reading (not good). Turning on the blinker would kill the engine. Not enough amps from that bad boy. Anyway, if I'm quietly cursing with the windows down and the headlights off, the meter reads 13.5 (I have a 110 amp on order). On another note; I rebuilt my engine from ground up and I'm aware of how tight things can be in that engine space. So, what I meant to say was this: If I have a working 90 amp alternator fitting perfectly in my car right now then someone else may have too and may not be aware of it. :)

I usually run about 12.5~ish volts. most 3000GTs that I see run this. if you want more you must run a larger wire from the alt. to the battery. the tiny wire that mitsu ran isn't large enough. it chokes the current and the voltage down to much. I believe it is a white wire, but don't quote me on that.

since im going to be putting 2 10" 600WRMS subs into my car with a 1200wRMS amp and my voltage currently is around 13-13.5 what would i want to do to get more voltage, new alternator or a second battery. basically i hate my lights because their dim and when im driving down a road and theres a glare on my winshield its almost impossible to see where im going, i already replaced the headlights and they sit flush and are in nice and good and either the voltage just sucks or the angle on the batters is either straight up or down and im only getting a reflection because i bought the supra ultra light **** that blinds the **** out of ppl and it doesnt even hurt your eyes when you stand right infront of it and stare into it for 30 seconds. so im assuming with that already happening and im putting my system into my car im going to need a bigger source of power

not trying to be mean, but I have only seen 2 alternators for these cars, 1. the sohc, stealth or 3kgt, both had 90amp alternators, and they werent in the same place as the dohc's, 2. the dohc's all had 110amp, look it up on autozone.com, you can look up parts and compare part #'s, that's what I do anyways, but again, you say your car is 90 amps, how do you know that?? it doesnt say it anywhere on the alternator, with all accessories on high and lights and stuff, your alternator should read about 13.5, even with evrything on, at idle should read 12volts with accessories on, go have it tested for free at a parts store, they can do it in the car, I drove mine like that for about 2 mos too, and it was only charging at 8amps, it wouldnt put out anymore than that, but for the one that wants to put a system in your car, make sure you have a good alternator, and put another battery, I know of someone around here that will rebuild an alternator for me for these cars for about $100 and he will gurantee it for life of me, not just the car, he uses the best of components in his equipment, I have been to him before in the past a lot for different things, so, find a good rebuilder, and dont get a reman from the store, they use crap parts for it to work for a little while.....

ok, I just did some research, and there is a company that I found that does make high output alternators for these cars, but they are like $600 each, they output like 200amps though, so maybe the price isnt so bad, just thought i'd like to add that comment

Well, I did some research and here's what I found...

STEALTH ALTERNATORS:
1991-95 - H Series (SOHC) Had 90Amp w/ a 5MG Pulley
1991-95 - T,P,U Series (DOHC) Had 110Amp w/ a 6MG Pulley
1996 - H Series Had 95Amp w/ a 6MG Pulley
1996 - T,U Series Had 110Amp w/ a 6MG Pulley
1996 - T,U Series Had 90Amp w/ a 5MG Pulley

3000GT ALTERNATORS:
1991-95 - Had 110Amp w/ 6MG Pulley
1996-97 - Had 95Amp w/ 6MG Pulley
1996-99 - Had 90Amp w/ 5MG Pulley
1998-99 - Had 110Amp w/ 6MG Pulley

Mitsubishi Part Number for 90AMP "I'm still trying to find this one".
Mitsubishi Part Number for 95AMP MD324754
Mitsubishi Part Number for 110AMP MD197470

:thumbsup:

Thigpen,

I read your original question again and I will see If I can answer it for you:

The more AMPs that your alternator puts out, the faster your battery will charge. Your battery will continue to charge until the regulator in the alternator senses that your battery has a full charge. Therefore, if you're using an alternator w/ not enough AMPs to charge your battery (w/ lights and toys going) then YES your lights can get dimmer. This is because you will be using as much as or more of the electricity to run your lights and accessories and not have enough left over to completely charge your battery as well (like batteries going out in a flashlight; light slowly go dim dim dim). I just placed a 200AMP in my car today and the lights are brighter and everything works great!!! This might be the same problem you're having.

can you give me a link to the alternator you put in you car and how much did it cost and what does your car run voltage wise now while running and idling?

Got it from here for $610.00 (must eat at taco bell for a while):

http://www.autoaccessorystore.com/home.asp

I took out my positive battery cable so that I can run a thicker wire from the alternator to the battery. I'm also looking around now for a deep cycle battery to replace the heep of doodoo in my car now. When I'm done, it should be sweet.

When the alternator was in the car, the guage read around 13 at idle and about 14.5 crusing, but I just drove around the block (that's when I remembered about the battery wire) and drove back home.

well sh*t, i wont have 600 bucks to spend for a while, im spending 290 out of my own money on the subs, making the box out of MDF i got for free since i worked a lumber yard, im using my x-mas gifts for the amp and smaller accessories i just need for daily use, then for my bday im goin to ask for a new set of infinity perfect componet speakers and an amp to run them...i applied for a job at best buy the other day because my friend works there and is trying to hook me up, so if i get the job, then 600 will be no problem, but if i dont get it, i doubt ill have that kind of money because i need to save it for college next year