No doubt some of you have run across some issues when trying to find replacement alternators for your 88 2.8L Fieros. I ran into this problem when trying to find an alternator for my latest L67 swap that used the Fiero alt bracket / dog bone setup. Problem is most auto parts stores do not stock this alternator.
Well I did some research and found out other possible units that have the correct straight across bolt pattern. These other vehicles used the 105 amp CS130:
In my case I got one for the Firebird but the rear housing on the alternator was clocked differently than the stock Fiero unit and had a different style battery cable terminal. (req'd a bolt not a nut). I don't know how different the Corvette or Caddy alternators are but from the pictures provided by ACDELCO they should bolt to the Fiero bracket no problem.
------------------ power corrupts. absolute power corrupts absolutely. Custom Chip Burning | Fiero Engine Conversions | Turbocharging | www.gmtuners.com
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04:56 PM
PFF
System Bot
Hank is Here Member
Posts: 4450 From: Hershey, Pa Registered: Sep 2000
Hey Darth great find!! Thats one of the first things I have to do to my 88 when I get back from Iraq, and with this info it should be easier to find one. Thanks Justin
Darth, gave you a plus! My SI alt went out on me yesterday and Autozone was suppose to have a replacement in stock, they didn't. 1st thing that pops into my head, CS conversion. Well of course they don't have an 88 alt. in stock so I remembered this post about the 87 Firebird, I figured that would be the safest bet, and they had it. I just finished converting mine over and all I have to say is WOW. I never knew the the volt gauge could go past 13 Have you had any problem since you switched your over? I'm just a little worried about the heat, all the wires are out of the way, just worring to be worring I guess.
------------------ 84 transformed into an 86 GT 88 Formula
Darth, gave you a plus! My SI alt went out on me yesterday and Autozone was suppose to have a replacement in stock, they didn't. 1st thing that pops into my head, CS conversion. Well of course they don't have an 88 alt. in stock so I remembered this post about the 87 Firebird, I figured that would be the safest bet, and they had it. I just finished converting mine over and all I have to say is WOW. I never knew the the volt gauge could go past 13 Have you had any problem since you switched your over? I'm just a little worried about the heat, all the wires are out of the way, just worring to be worring I guess.
Just from personal experiance with AutoZone and thier electrical parts(DuraLast Brand). I have used several of there DuraLast products and they have all failed in a very short amount of time. The good thing is AutoZone will warrranty there parts for life with next to no proof you got it from them. The bad part is that it gets old changing out some of the parts that are difficult to get to. AutoZone parts are cheaper than any other parts house but there is a reason behind that. This is just a conclusion that I have came to about there electrical parts from using several of there parts and them failing. Others may not have ever had a problem with them but thought I would throw in my thoughts on it.
Well, the reason I went there was that I had already changed my alt with an Autozone one a few years ago and I had a lifetime warrantee on it. What was nice was that since they didn't have mine in stock, they exchanged it with the Firebird alt without any problems and they changed the warrantee too. I know their stuff isn't the best, but I have been burnt buy NAPA's replacement electrical items before and I can't afford to go to the stealership. Like you said, at least they have a lifetime warrantee
[This message has been edited by Zodo (edited 12-09-2004).]
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06:03 PM
Cadillac Jack Member
Posts: 1165 From: Jacksonville, IL, USA Registered: May 2003
The cool thing about Autozone is they'll take darn near anything as a core for a rebuild. Maybe its just the employees not caring about the stockholders and not policy and maybe its just my local store, but they sure do accept some junk for cores! Not like I try to screw them either (hide it in the box, whatever). Quality could be a lot better though I agree. Always a trade off isn't there?
The cool thing about Autozone is they'll take darn near anything as a core for a rebuild. Maybe its just the employees not caring about the stockholders and not policy and maybe its just my local store, but they sure do accept some junk for cores! Not like I try to screw them either (hide it in the box, whatever). Quality could be a lot better though I agree. Always a trade off isn't there?
You are right there, cant remeber anything I ever took back or used as a core they wouldnt take back. Most of the time the employees dont car and are there just for the paycheck, which makes it even easier.
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07:33 PM
Darth Fiero Member
Posts: 5921 From: Waterloo, Indiana Registered: Oct 2002
Have you had any problem since you switched your over? I'm just a little worried about the heat, all the wires are out of the way, just worring to be worring I guess.
Haven't had any issues since it was switched. My experience with at least the Duralast brand reman and new (both lifetime warranty) concerning alternators is 3 still good (various vehicles) and one went bad after a year. I agree with you in that I do like Autozone's warranty policy and hope it lasts. You could have gone to the "stealership" (funny) and gotten an OEM replacement for your Fiero but guess what, those are remanufactured as well and last time I checked they didn't have a lifetime warrantly. Furthermore I have seen a lot of these fail as well.
I had mine ('88) rebuilt @ a local shop for a reasonable price, and they (allegedly) gave it a minor pump up in output, a major boost would've cost another c-note.
