So I know this subject has been covered quite a few times, but no one has been able to give me a definite answer on the exact part I'm looking for if I want to do the Saturn Alternator Upgrade. I compiled a BUNCH of bits and pieces of information and it seems that this is the unit most commonly used. Please let me know if anyone knows for a fact if this is the unit I should get.

The general consensus seems to be that I need this:


8107 Delco Alternator - CS130 Series
100-105 Amp, 12 Volt, CW,
5-Groove Pulley,
03:00 Plug Clock
Used On: (1997-01) Saturn 1.9L
Replaces: Delco 21021310, 21021447, 21022772, 21022893, 21023516 Lester #'s 8107, 8215

 

FYI this coversion must be done right or you'll have issues.
I would upgrade the one you currently have.

 

http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~fishertr/alternator.html

http://www.adocars.com/elf-ado/alter...alternator.htm

 

your best bet is going to be buying it from one of the several places that sells it with the correct pulley and plug. this will make your life a lot easier

the wiring is fairly simple, just make sure you connect the S wire from the new plug to either the Batt terminal or to your battery - this ensures proper operation of the voltage regulator inside the alternator.

I just bought one from www.alterstart.biz (from ebay) and it looks pretty good, I'll know more when I get it hooked up this spring

 

you'll also need to beef up the wire going from the alternator to the battery since the new unit will be putting out more amps.

these new alternators have a capacity of 100+ amps but will only put out what is required, but you need the wiring to handle the max output

 

I have a source at one of the largest parts distributers in the nation. He said if I can get the OEM number he can get me the thing for dirt cheap. So... I'm looking for the OEM part number (the one the dealers have) not 21020854, 21021310, 21021447, 21022772, 21022893, 21023516, CS130, or 8107. haha.

I've been working closely with him to get this number but everything is a dead end.

As for beefing up the wires to the battery. That's already in the works. I'm planning on doing high strain 0 gauge wire to the battery and back when I upgrade the alternator. That's just the beginning of my re-wiring. I plan on going higher gauge on basically every wire in the car. Just in case.

 

call your local GM dealer and ask for the number before they kill saturn.

 

I think I may have found the ACDelco part number direct from their forms. I have my parts guy checking tomorrow morning.

 

As part of your research, did you find out if it was possible to have the stock alternator rewound to give the 100-105A that the Saturn alternator provides?

 

Haven't quite found this yet, but I believe they can be rewound to produce upwards of 115 amps. But... 96 amps is a MAJOR improvement over 45. haha

 

I'm not sure if 100 is possible but I have heard of 75 being achieved.
Unfortunately there would still be the unreliability inherent in Lucas electrics.

 

I recently performed this conversion. I walked into a Pepboys and asked for a 98 (98-01 will work) 1.9L Saturn SW2 alternator. I had previously unsuccessfully asked for a CS130 alternator and explained the purpose etc. only to confuse the hell out of the parts guy.

You will notice that the Saturn alternator uses a multiple ribbed serpentine pulley, whereas your mini uses a V groove pulley. You will need to pick up a new pulley (the Lucas one will not fit the Saturn one). I've had luck walking into Pepboys and looking through the "Performance Parts" isles. They typically have "engine dress up kits", and sell a chrome V groove pulley replacement (I believe the brand was spectre) for ~$15.

The re-clocking part is relatively straightforwards as long as you have the female torx bits. Just follow the guides linked above and you should be fine.

I have also bought an extra CS130 alternator off ebay (a junkyard pull) without any problems for $35 shipped. It was also listed as a 98-01 Saturn SW2 1.9L alternator. I believe all of the saturn 1.9L alternators fit our application.

Hope this helps.

 

"And I'll be checking the amperage coming out of my classic's alternator first. If it IS an 80 amp, then my ONLY reason for a swap would be simply if the alternator loses the voltage and amperage at idle too much. "

So you verified you have only a 40 amp alt, and decided against a direct bolt in replacement which would bring the system to 80 amps?

You never really closed out the last thread on this topic....

 

Haven't verified myself since I'm away from the car. I had someone else look into it but they couldn't check amps. This thread was basically started just to see if someone knew if this was in fact the alternator I need. I was looking around for like 2 hours the other night and I found about 15 different answers for what alternator to put in a mini, and which one was correct and blah blah blah. So I started this thread to see if this is the alternator that is KNOWN to work for the swap.

 

so you r not about to do the work
nor are near your car to answer questions about it
as we burn BTUs to try and answer ur questions?

just trying to scope MY efforts .....

 

I was at the u-pull it today because my truck died again. They had 2 saturns with possible donor alternators. Basically $18 bucks cause it has a $5 core charge but I wouldn't turn my lucas one in for a core. Looks like a real knuckle buster to pull from the top and it was too muddy to try from the bottom. I bet if I really wanted to I could find a pulley there to go with it as well. You could go that route if you really wanted to be cheap.