Guys,

I need to replace my alternator on my Evo, and I'm currently unemployed and was just wondering if I need to buy the stock replacement Alternator for $300 or can I do with the AutoZone unit for $100?? Will I notice the difference ... I'm not running anything crazy electrical wise, so it's pretty much a electrically stock evo with the exception of a small battery. Does anyone know what the Stock Alt. is rated for??

 

The Autozone alternator should be the same amperage as the stock alternator. Just make sure you get one with a decent warranty; preferably lifetime if they offer one.

 

Autozone Alt is rated at 90 amps ... and has a lifetime warranty ... is this the same as the stock alt??

 

Only diff is the autozone alt 's are rebuilt ones.

 

Any negatives to getting a rebuilt unit if it has the Warranty?

 

Not sure on Mitsu's but on Honda's the ones you get are reman's as well.

 

I bought one from Autozone a while back, they just had to swap the pulley from the core to the new one and it works fine.

 

Sounds like a good buy!

 

+1 cant go wrong

 

Thanks guys ... just bought the AutoZone Alt!!

 

only difference will be if you have to replace it. if the oem parts are installed by a shop then your parts and labor would be covered if it failed under the warranty time. Aftermarket units usually only cover the cost of the part, not the labor. I work at a dealership and have also spent some time in one of the bigger chain stores as a second job and I'll tell ya straight up, some of the stuff sold in those places is pretty scary compared to oem parts...very cheap.

 

My question is how did the alternator fry out in an 06 EVO IX so soon? Not trying to start an inquiry, but couldn't you take the questionable alternator to an electrical shop and check for a shorted diode? A shorted out diode is usually the case in fairly new alternators going bad. You can check without taking it apart by the smell of electrical burn. If it were just the brushes/contact, they can be changed out, as well. I've rebuilt a few out of necessity, for we do things a little different here in the Middle East. We gotta because we get raped on shipping charges.

I remember Autozone when I used to live in the USA, especially when I owned a VW Scirocco MkII 16V while in university. I had an electrical gremlin that was killing the battery, and i would just go in and exchange the battery everytime it died They never asked any questions, even after 10 times.

Now that you got a replacement alternator, have you done any grounding mods?

 

I would guess the only potential downside is you may spend time replacing the reman autozone/pepboys alternator. Most likely the OEM will be more reliable.

I had one for a Honda a few years ago from pepboys and it was a POS. I went through 2 or 3 till I got a decent one.

 

OEM is cheaper in the long run always, just a little food for thought.

 

My buddy thinks, that the Autozone one isn't built that well, he had to change his like three times. he got sick of replacing them, although it had the warranty he got sick of being stranded. He bought a NAPA brand Alternator and hasn't had problems since.

This is just his case, i've heard of guy's having no problems.