I need to replace my alternator and am having a hard time choosing one. I just don't know what is a quality replacement. I'm looking for something that will last me a easy 50k+. My buddy got a rebuilt alternator with a lifetime warranty from some parts place but has returned it 3 times now in less than 2 years, I don't want to deal with that. I usually like to go OEM but even the dealers only have rebuilds.

So what is my best option for a alternator? I want OEM quality, new perferably, and something that is going to last for years. The car is a DA Integra and I have a 500W amp if it matters.

 

what are you looking for:
- more power @ idle
- longevity.

The issue with Honda alternator is that they are well engineered to run a stock car with
no add-ons. Now start adding lights,upgraded audio and it suffers.

Look at these companies:
Powermaster
Mechaman
Ohio Generator
Irraqi alternators
Excessive amperage

most will have a large case solution for your car

 

I'm looking for strictly longevity. My stock alt. is only 65 amps but seemed to handle my amp fine. I'm sure it played a part in my alt. dieing, but really when it was working properly I had no problems with the power it was putting out. So I'm not sure if a high output alternator is really nessecary. Do any of those come close to OEM quality? Ive known of a few people with high outputs alt's and havent heard anything too positive. Seem alot more problematic than a stock alternator.

 

you dont need a high output for only 500 watts your car should be able to handle that fine.
is your battery bad? normally when a battery is dead the alt trys really hard to charge it and when it cant, sooner or later bye bye alt.

just get a oem. rebuilt or not its oem.

 

^ good alts, if you can't afford the beefed up alts which can be 600 or so dollars, try one from alterstart, they make or sell a alternator called a loadboss, i had one in my civic hatch, it was an alt, factory housing, rewound to 150a peak, they are about 200-250 buck with a warranty, put one in my civic in 05 cause i had the stock plus two batts for my amp, and i'm friends with the guy who has the civic today and he is still going on that alt, so 4 years, no problems..

 

So I looked at those alterstart alternators and I'm not too sure. They list the same part for all 90-93 Integra's, but the plugs are different on 90-91 vs 92-93.

And what is the voltage like at idle? I have seen some high output alt's that are like mid 12's at idle. Like they sacrifice voltage for amps or something.