Well, I just got my car running after doing a b18 swap. I had to use an SPAL fan to clear the turbo. Other than that, there's nothing electrical that's new (that I can think of).

I ended up getting a freshly rebuilt alternator. So today, I drive it and voltage reads 14.xx so all is well. Then for no apparent reason, the voltage drops to 12.xx and the car stutters and runs like ****.

Any ideas?

 

Dumb first guess is loose or corroded connections to the alternator, including grounds. Engine ground too.

 

Keep it simple. Check wires and connections and maybe even belt tension.

 

Yeah, these were all my first thoughts. Belt tension seems fine. Also checked battery connections, alternator connections and engine ground. I've got a 10ga ground from the chassis to the valve cover, and an 8ga ground from the chassis to the tranny.

Still not sure, might be a ground problem I suppose. If I turn on the stereo I get a massive whirring sound, so bad I really can't listen to the stereo. When the voltage drops, of course, I get a bad crackling - seems like it can't supply enough power to the amps (Punch 500, Punch 300, and 1 farad cap).

Ugh!

On the upside, it's fast as hell. Seems faster at 5 PSI than the SOHC did at 9

 

That does seem strange.. Did you ever happen to think that it might be because it's a REBUILT Alternator.. Maybe it wasn't put back together right.. But hey, who am I to say anything..

 

I kinda had a similar problem in my CRX with a b16 swap.

When my orginal alternator went bad I replaced it with a 2 rebuilt aternators and both of them would work for about 15 minutes then the dash light would come on so finally I replaced it with a rebuilt one from Honda and never had any more problems with it.

BTW If you do replace it with one from Honda be prepared to pay about $100 more than what the autoparts stores charge.

 

Ah this crap is just weird. I gotta check everything over when I get some time.

Ooh rah!