3.1 V6 Alternator Upgrade to CS-144. How to Identify? Direct Bolt-on? Harness? Tips?

[90V6RedHotLuminaEuro]

Good Day! I hope you're enjoying a pleasant one. I want to upgrade the alternator on my 90 Lumina 3.1/V6 from a CS-130 to a CS-144. What do I look for at the salvage yard for a direct swap/bolt-on? Will I have to modify the wiring harness? Your experience and knowledge and Any Tips/Tricks and or Pics will be greatly appreciated.

[white4d96]

I recall reading somewhere that the 4.3L Blazer guys were direct swapping their CS130D's for CS144's, but I could never verify it. If it is true, you would need all the parts to mount a D alt on your car, which IIRC would require rewiring, and all the mounting bits.

[55trucker]

As far the alternator itself is physically concerned.....the CS130's are 130mm in diameter, the CS144's are 144mm in diameter.

Do you know if you have a 130*D* or the 130 *iceberg*? The two are physically different altho they have similar outputs.

Here's a link to a webpage so you can see the physical difference between the 130 & the 144.

 

http://www.alternatorparts.com/cs130-cs130d-series-alternators.htm

 

http://www.alternatorparts.com/category_cs144.html

Edited September 28, 2011 by 55trucker

[Crazy K]

that answer is not yet know.....

 

but you can easily get the cs130d from a 3100 powered car along with the bracket is sits on and it hooks up, except for the minor connector is different and must be changed.

 

I believe the 96-97 u-van alternator and bracket would be the ideal ones to look for for a swap, as it is a 3x00 engine, and can be a cs144 (they came with both regular and high output alts, might be both cs130 and cs144 both factory equipped on them???)...

[Garrett Powered]

I have a cs130d on both my tgp's and I think I like it way batter than my 88 GP that has the 144. the D has better idle charge and stays cooler. and if you have the 3.1 that is the way to go, you just have to order the mounting chassis for the thing to bolt on and grind the edge off to fit the stock bracket. its worth doing for sure.

 

 

be careful ordering the stator for the cs130d though, you will want the 160 amp and the smallest pulley you can find so you get a strong idle charge. the idle charge is the most important part, not the max output.

Edited September 30, 2011 by Garrett Powered

[Garrett Powered]

As far the alternator itself is physically concerned.....the CS130's are 130mm in diameter, the CS144's are 144mm in diameter.

Do you know if you have a 130*D* or the 130 *iceberg*? The two are physically different altho they have similar outputs.

Here's a link to a webpage so you can see the physical difference between the 130 & the 144.

 

http://www.alternatorparts.com/cs130-cs130d-series-alternators.htm

 

http://www.alternatorparts.com/category_cs144.html

 

 

 

good links, I just read about the dual rectifier cs 144's and I never really paid any attention to different rectifiers on alternators but it sounds like they have a lot to do with things and I was just thinking about upgrades to the ca144 since I have one on my 88 and in my truck. now I HAVE to make sure both of them are equipped with duals.