eBay ALternator compatibility

[DocButters]

The 'ol alternator took a dive today.
Re-man put in by a dealer. Still on warranty, but I'm stationed overseas and Ford Italia doesn't honor US warranties lol

Anyways, will this fit on my 2003 Cobra?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/270-HIGH-AM...95-1994-Ford-Mustang-COBRA-3-8L-/261453176441

I've read that we have the same alt as the 2003 3.8L, but I don't want to take any chances. If it doesn't work out I'm going to go with one of these guys...

http://stores.ebay.com/Eagle-Auto-E...3+cobra&submit=Search&_fsub=16&_sid=144108571

Thanks in advance

 

[DrakeSnake]

Don't buy anything from Eagle. They will never respond to any warranty work. Starters and alternators on eBay seem OK.

 

[b_dike]

No not the same as the v-6s, the cobras use a 130amp unit. I think the other stangs come with a 115amp unit. Can't remember for sure though.

 

[DocButters]

@DrakeSnake, I've been doing a lot of reading and I could only find good news! And the price seems killer, about 1/4 the price of the PA Performance units from vendors. Do you have personal experience with them? I'd love to hear it, all I have to go off of it their eBay rankings, and it's 99.9% positive lol

@b_dike, but that unit is a 270amp, I'm mostly worried about fitment.

 

[DrakeSnake]

I do have personal experience with them and I fell for all them good reviews also and there bs. Yes there cheap yes you will get the alt. But if u need a replacement via there one year warranty don't count on them answering emails or phone calls. And I think a 270amp is way to much for our cars. If your money this is just my opinion from dealing with them

 

[DocButters]

Any other ideas? StartNcharge seems to be out of the running, this is my third stock one in 3 yeaqrs, and the only other option seems to be a %400 PA performance from a vendor

 

[Tractionless1]

Any other ideas? StartNcharge seems to be out of the running, this is my third stock one in 3 yeaqrs, and the only other option seems to be a %400 PA performance from a vendor

Billet Tech/Mechman or Nations

I saw a amp. output chart for the Ebay unit and it's a joke, something like 20 amps. at idle. Compare that to my Mechman @160a and 175a max of an advertised 170a unit. NEVER lower than 13.8v.


I'd take Drakesnake's personal experience to heart. There's a lot of products and businesses out there that get rave reviews until something goes bad. I wholeheartedly believe they won't warranty yours either. How could they at 1/4 cost of a PA?

 

[FastlaneParts]

Feel free to contact me about a Mechman / Billet Tech unit, they are certainly very different than all of the other offerings. -David

 

[rattle_snake]

I'm on my 2nd Eagle unit, I had no issues with a warranty return. Got a replacement unit right away. Quality is 'OK', value is very good.
Any alternator installed on a cobra will have it's life span shortened by the high heat. The diodes and regulator are right next to exhaust #5, and airflow is limited. Yes it is possible to get and externally regulated unit, but they are not cheap. Instead of spending a pile of money on a high quality alternator, I have attempted to address the heat issues with a heat shield and a cooling duct, and have a 2nd spare alternator ready when the Eagle takes a dump. When it does (it is out of warranty now), I will have it rebuilt locally for a spare.

This solution works for me as my cobra is not my DD, or my only vehicle. I don't take it on long trips. I can swap alternators in <30 min. If reliability is much more important than cost then get a quality unit.

I'm curious about output of the Eagle unit at idle. I will measure and see what it really is.