Alternator recommendation

So after 12 years of owning, my alternator finally started squealing today and just took a shit on me while on my way home.

What replacements are you all running and what do you recommend? Going to order a new belt right now as well

Would you guys risk picking up one of these on Ebay? Seems pretty cheap, and they have 100% positive feedback, with many people buying them.

200 Amp 8304 Alternator Ford Mustang Cobra w/ S/C 2003 2004 High Output HD NEW | eBay

Made in the USA, 1 year warranty and good reviews, sounds pretty good to me.

Kenneth Miley Jr. $299 shipped, 200a, lifetime warranty. https://kmjalts.com

My factory alt went out a few weeks ago and after researching I decided to go with a J2 Fabrication 270 amp with the Big3 upgrade. Been happy so far.


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VenomousDSG said:

Would you guys risk picking up one of these on Ebay? Seems pretty cheap, and they have 100% positive feedback, with many people buying them.

200 Amp 8304 Alternator Ford Mustang Cobra w/ S/C 2003 2004 High Output HD NEW | eBay

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I just installed one of these on my car. Only been on there a few weeks, but no complaints. Only time will tell.

KINGCarnge said:

My factory alt went out a few weeks ago and after researching I decided to go with a J2 Fabrication 270 amp with the Big3 upgrade. Been happy so far.


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I'd spend some time researching j2fab before you spend any money with him.

Haven’t seen a complaint about Kenneth Miley


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I have had great and positive experiences with PA Performance.

I have only used their 200A alternators and wiring upgrades.

The one on my '97 Cobra has been on the car since 2005. While it is a toy and not a daily driver, it is working hard while in use.

I had my locally rebuilt 2 1/2 years ago to a 160a, then I made my own custom “big three” kit for it. Been good so far in the Houston heat. Maybe consider finding a place to do that before ordering? I only paid $175 so it’s also a cheaper route.

I don't want to seem like an a hole here but when I was finishing up my car I needed a cheapie alternator just to get the car started and running. I went with one from DB electrical. I have only put a few hundred miles on it but it idles around 14v cold, runs about 13.5-13.8 warm driving around / idle, and about 12.8 - 13 wot. Not the greatest choice but I was surprised by the half way decent voltage numbers.

Alternator 4.6 4.6L Ford Mustang Svt 2003 2004 03 04

FYI I do plan on replacing with this, I have laying around.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/tff-8266b8g

For now, to get the car running, I just went with the Ebay one for a little over $100. Doesnt seem to be much risk with a cheap unit like that and 100% positive feedback from 63 cobra buyers.

I will probably go with a KM or J2 one in the future, as they seem to have good reviews as well, and are higher quality.

Nation's alternator.

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cj428mach said:

I'd spend some time researching j2fab before you spend any money with him.

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What he said. Things are so bad there's an entire group dedicated to people complaining about parts, parts that haven't arrived since last year, service or lack there of, no refunds, no warranty, no help. It's a total mess.

Unfortunately the alternators on these cars sit right by the exhaust header and have very high failure rates. I've had my car since new, some 17+ years and have had more alternators than I can remember. I've done the cheapos with lifetime warranty and eventually get burned out on swapping them all the time, I've done various expensive ones etc. In the end I'd have to say pony up the cash for a Nations with the external regulator and be done with it.

J2 here and happy.

My Miley alternator failed on me, first day. Ken is a good guy, just had a bad exp with the product.


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Nation's, i have 15k+miles on mine. I'm in the New Orleans area and it's hot down here. Steady voltage even in this muggy heat.

03cobra#2 said:

I don't want to seem like an a hole here but when I was finishing up my car I needed a cheapie alternator just to get the car started and running. I went with one from DB electrical. I have only put a few hundred miles on it but it idles around 14v cold, runs about 13.5-13.8 warm driving around / idle, and about 12.8 - 13 wot. Not the greatest choice but I was surprised by the half way decent voltage numbers.

Alternator 4.6 4.6L Ford Mustang Svt 2003 2004 03 04

FYI I do plan on replacing with this, I have laying around.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/tff-8266b8g

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Good find there....that bargain one is only $75 no core charge?! That's insane

I think of all the monitoring I've done watching these alts.....it seems as far as "premium" units the Nations has seemed to perform the best. I'm sure someone has posted about a failure at some point or another (because these cars EAT alts sooner or later)...but it seems the other premium brands have FAR more failures and/or really poor customer service.

cj428mach said:

I'd spend some time researching j2fab before you spend any money with him.

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What’s funny is I order one of his ALTS from lethal last month. Two weeks later I emailed him with the order number and he said I was about 3 weeks away from shipping. The very next day when I get home it’s on the porch . I didn’t know about his complaints but luckily for me I had my ALT delivered within 3 weeks of ordering it and so far have not had any issues


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Seems like Nations is the best option on these cars, havent heard a single complaint about them from anywhere online or on here. I will probably order one of those shortly, and this ebay one will hold me over until then.

VenomousDSG said:

Seems like Nations is the best option on these cars, havent heard a single complaint about them from anywhere online or on here. I will probably order one of those shortly, and this ebay one will hold me over until then.

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I think that's a good plan. But even with a nations, it's never a bad idea to have a functioning alt sitting on the shelf as backup! So that eBay could still come in handy. Damn terminator alts lol