LS1 swap voltage regulator

[Camaross82]

Im installing a ls1 in my 69 camaro and was wondering what people do with the increased amp alternators in the older cars? Do I need to run a voltage regulator?

[130fe]

Most newer GM cars (late 70's and up) run an internal style regulator. Are you using the factory wiring (for external regulator)? If so you have to modify it, pretty easy to do though. Some of the parts houses sell a plug that plugs into the old reg plug converting it to an internal style. If you need one and can wait a few days (I am on vacation) I can give you a good deal on one I am not using anymore. I just change my wiring to an AAW classic update harness.

[Camaross82]

That would be awesome... I plan to update the harness eventually but funds wont allow right now.

[badazz81z28]

That would be awesome... I plan to update the harness eventually but funds wont allow right now.


I think you may be complicating the swap here. I suspect you are using the LS alternator? It typically only has 1 power wire and a single wire switch from the harness. The single wire should be in the LS engine harness and the heavy gauge power wire goes to the battery +. Than that wire splices at the + and goes to the starter. The engines + source is going to come from the starter. No external voltage reg required or needed.

No?

[charchri4]

+1 ^^ It's still a 12 volt system and a higher amp rating on an alternator makes no difference to that. No matter how many amps the alternator is capable of it's not going to give more than that car asks for. They just play nice that way... :D

[130fe]

Yeah, it's not complicated. If your harness is still set up as an external regulator you have to modify the wiring for the new style. In a nut shell, there are 4 wires in the ext reg plug. You either connect 2 pairs to themselves or use a special plug (that connects to the old plug) and it does the same thing.

[Camaross82]

Ok thanks. Wasnt sure how that'd work. Just dont want to burn it up.