Stang0005

So around five years ago or so I installed some Steeda pulleys on my 2000 GT. Since then i have probably had to replace my alternator around 4 times. It had a lifetime warranty so getting it wasn't really a problem but it just seem to die around the most inopportune time. I also went away to a college that was about 500 miles each way and my GT was my daily driver. It always seemed to die the week following my trips, although it wouldn't die after every trip. I was just wondering if anyone else has had this problem and if you think the UDP are the cause. I didn't really do any other engine mods before i went off to college so i couldn't think of anything else it could be and the fact that 4 different alternators were bad is highly unlikely.

96meangreengt

I would check the battery while the car is running with a multimeter to see how much its charging, mine charges at 14.2 or so when idleing.

cliffyk

You raise an interesting issue, in part because I have noticed the charge light flickering slowly (and dimly, you can only see it at night) lately--I installed Steeda UDPs in December.

Here's a chart of the "before and after" speeds at which the generator turns:



It turns more slowly overall of course, that's the point of the UDPs, and this could mean that for a given required output it's internals are working harder.

Here's what happens to the generator speed if you were to run the OEM pulley with the Steeda crank pulley:



It's still a 25% reduction from stock, however that is less than the -32% that the Steeda/Steeda combination provides. I think I'll put the OEM pulley back on the generator and see what happens...

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[edit] Poop, it will require a shorter drive belt--the tensioner cannot take up the slack.

cliffyk

Well you got me on a roll here--I installed the OEM generator pulley and the stock 93.5" long belt.

The stock belt was a bit too long and tensioner/belt was within 1//8" of the top idle pulley so I went to Advance and got a Dayco 5060923 Poly-Rib belt (92.3") . I wanted the 92.5" belt but for some reason it was $42 and the 92.3" belt was only $30.

I won't be driving in the dark until Tuesday, it will be interesting to see if the charge light winks at me...

cliffyk

FWIW here's a shot of where the tensioner sits with the Steeda UDP crank and water pump pulleys, the OEM generator pulley, and the 92.3" belt...