Generation III External Engine LS1 | LS6 | Bolt-Ons | Intakes | Exhaust | Ignition | Accessories
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Reliability Mods

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 6, 2014 | 09:25 PM
  #1  
WREK LS1's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
Default Reliability Mods

I recently had the factory alternator go out in my 134k mile Z28. I took that as a sign to upgrade to a 145A truck alternator and a truck starter with the two long bolts. I got them both for $100 from a local salvage yard and picked up an exciter pigtail from eBay for $7.

I upgraded the power/ground cables with 2ga welding cable as well. Battery to block, battery to chassis, block to chassis, battery to starter.

It all went smooth and the peace of mind is well worth it. I highly recommend these upgrades to those on the fence about it.
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2014 | 10:52 AM
  #2  
.boB's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 897
Likes: 33
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Default

Originally Posted by WREK LS1
It all went smooth and the peace of mind is well worth it. I highly recommend these upgrades to those on the fence about it.
Why? What benefit did you get out of it? The stock set up lasted 134K miles and >10 years. What do you expect to get out of this set up?
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2014 | 11:29 AM
  #3  
kelsey_canard's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,029
Likes: 0
From: Arkansas
Default

Nice upgrade
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2014 | 12:24 PM
  #4  
WREK LS1's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
Default

Originally Posted by .boB
Why? What benefit did you get out of it? The stock set up lasted 134K miles and >10 years. What do you expect to get out of this set up?
I expect to not have to worry about the factory starter with the short bolt one day torquing a chunk off my block. I also expect the higher amperage alternator to benefit the entire electrical system at idle and especially at WOT. The original parts worked but these parts work better in our application IMO.
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2014 | 09:45 PM
  #5  
Paul Bell's Avatar
That's MISTER MODERATOR
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,616
Likes: 65
From: NYC
Default

Originally Posted by .boB
Why? What benefit did you get out of it? The stock set up lasted 134K miles and >10 years. What do you expect to get out of this set up?
The larger alternator has more amps output at lower speeds. And it has bigger bearings and rectifiers. The rectifiers on the smaller unit are maxed out.

The long bolt/short bolt starter can break on the short side placing all the stress on the long bolt side. Worst case scenario, the starter boss part of the engine block can break off. Instant scrap. GM doesn't use the long bolt/short bolt starters anymore.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...l#post18227772
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2014 | 09:09 PM
  #6  
trey0153's Avatar
On The Tree
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: mechanicsville,va
Default

Originally Posted by WREK LS1
I recently had the factory alternator go out in my 134k mile Z28. I took that as a sign to upgrade to a 145A truck alternator and a truck starter with the two long bolts. I got them both for $100 from a local salvage yard and picked up an exciter pigtail from eBay for $7.

I upgraded the power/ground cables with 2ga welding cable as well. Battery to block, battery to chassis, block to chassis, battery to starter.

It all went smooth and the peace of mind is well worth it. I highly recommend
these upgrades to those on the fence about it.

wrek where did u get the wire,the connectors from and crimpers from assuming u used that kind of connector.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:38 AM.

story-0
10 Reasons Daily Driving a Swap Project SUCKS! (& 1 Reason to Do It Anyway)

Slideshow: 10 reasons daily-driving a swap project might not be for you. Or is it?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-17 09:39:05


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

Don't get dad new socks or a grill brush this year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 14:55:56


VIEW MORE
story-2
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-18 10:26:23


VIEW MORE
story-3
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-5
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-6
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-7
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE