My lights are pulsating and it seems as if my car isn't getting enough power so I'm thinking I will have to upgrade my alternator to a high amp one. I have a 2003 Toyota Corolla and it only has a 80amp stock alternator. I am hoping you guys can tell me what a good price/performance alternator is that will support my system. Here are the specs below...


Deck -
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10 095544&catid=

Front Speakers -
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10 092161&catid=

Back Speakers -
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10 092162&catid=

Amplifier -
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10 072019&catid=

Subwoofers -
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10 085249&catid=

 

You could send the original out to a specialist and have it "hopped up". This way you know it will fit perfectly as will the connectors. (be sure to upgrade the output wire obviously)

I sent the alternator from an Italian exotic I used to own to these guys. They doubled the output for a reasonable price.

ALTERSTART Home Page

 

So what your saying is to have someone rebuild the alternator to have higher amps rather than buying a new one?

 

Upgraded all the stock wiring yet? If not, do that first then look to a bigger battery, then lastly a alternator.

 

It can be a pain to mount an alt that was not designed to be there. So for some cars with limited space, it makes perfect sense to improve what is already there.

So yes, after you do the "big 3" wiring upgrades, I would certainly look in to having the original improved.

As far as a 2nd battery, I am in the minority. My PERSONAL opinion is that a battery is only there to start the car. The rest is up to the alternator. Unless you spend a good amount of time listening to the boom boom with the engine off, a 2nd battery is a waste. But like I wrote, 100's of people will disagree with me.

 

I think the 'stock' wiring(atleast the amp and sub) is upgraded upon install. I could look into a bigger battery but how do I tell which part is causing the problem?

 

Unlikely the installers touched the factory wiring.

As far as an easy test, while the car is running, when the bass hits and the voltage at the battery terminals drops below 12.5 volts, you have exceeded the output of the alternator.

 

A second battery is a bad idea for you, did not read where that came from. You need to make the flow of current as efficient as you can. If you have one part of the system struggling to get current, it is going to manifest that in many different ways. (low power output, voltage drops at the amps, dimming lights). Do a search on the big 3 and get that done to start with. Then a larger replacement battery next. Lastly the alternator. The alternator is the big ticket item here, do the small stuff first as you can't go wrong on it. Do the voltage test again once the wiring is upgraded. This will tell you right now if you should be looking to the alternator.

The alternator runs the whole show in the vehicle, you need to make it work as best as it can, that is why you upgrade all the factory wiring. I agree that the chances of the install shop upgrading the factory wiring already is going to be slim to none.

 

I may go that route, but do you have an idea of how much it costs to get the 'big 3' wiring done?

 

I totally agree with the new alt and no new battery, but with some exceptions. When getting a new alternator you need to see how much it is putting out at idle. From there look at how many amps can be provided to the new setup as well as the battery. Getting a new battery will just cause you problems if your battery can't get recharged in time. Look at it this way: if your amp supplies 80amps at idle and your setup is taking in 100amps at any given time when played at max you are still missing 20amps. So, in time your battery is just going to fail and your out of sound.

In conclusion, do the proper calculations and you'll know exactly what you need. A new battery that is bigger can cause strain on your battery b/c it still needs to be recharged, just remember that.