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David Irwin c/o White Wolf Wire Works 240Z alternator upgrade adapter
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Reviews
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Views
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Date of last review
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4
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13843
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Thu March 6, 2008
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Recommended By
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Average Price
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Average Rating
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100% of reviewers
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$15.00
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10.0
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Description:
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The problem: The '70-73 Datsun 240Z was originally equipped with a 40-45 amp alternator and a mechanical points-type external voltage regulator. This was sufficient in the early '70s, but just barely. Today, a 240Z used as a driver will probably have electronic ignition, halogen headlights, and a lot more stereo than came with the car. Additionally, the original voltage regulator is (by today's standards) crude, unable to deliver a stable output, and less reliable than today's drivers expect. Obviously, the original charging system just won't cut it for many 240Z owners.
Since Nissan used the same engine design all the way through 1983, there are more modern parts available that will simply bolt right in the early Zs. In particular, the alternators from the '81-83 280ZX models are especially suitable. They are a direct bolt on, no changes to mounting points or the pulley is needed. The turbo models came with a 70 amp alternator (up to 75% increase) and the non-turbos with a 60 amp unit (up to 50% increase). These alternators also come with an internal, solid-state voltage regulator. They address both failings of the stock system in one unit.
The process is simple, and works for any early Z - '70-73 240Z, '74 260Z (both early and late), and '75-77 280Z. You simply remove the stock alternator and voltage regulator and bolt a '81-83 280ZX alternator in its place. BUT - the external regulator is gone, but the wiring to it remains. So you also have to make a couple of small jumper wires to complete the circuit. Simple and easy to do. 260 and 280Z owners do it all the time.
The mod is less common for the 240Zs though, because the 240Z wiring is a bit different. If you do everything the same as you would on a 280Z, it all works fine - until you try to switch off the ignition. Then you'll find that the car will not shut off with the key, you have to pull the power supply to the coil. Not very convenient, to say the least.
There is a fix for this, you have to buy a small diode and solder it in series in one of the two jumper wires. And what I've heard from people is that the proper diode can be hard to find in some towns, soldering them in is tricky (diodes can be ruined by too much heat), and overall, some people are just not comfortable with doing electrical stuff.
And that's where the adapter pictured above comes in. Conceived by Arne and engineered and built by Dave, it is small, weather-resistant, and simply plugs into the wiring harness in place of the original voltage regulator. The diode is pre-installed and self-contained. Bolt on the ZX alternator, plug this adapter in, and you're done. If you can replace your alternator, you can complete this upgrade.
Best, because no wiring on the car is changed at all, this upgrade is totally reversible! Planning to show your Z? Want it to be stock for the concours? You can have the original alternator and regulator installed and working (as well as it ever did) in 15 minutes, maybe less if you're good.
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Keywords:
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240Z 280ZX alternator upgrade adapter internal regulator
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Find the lowest price for the :
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Name of Store where this was Purchased:
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Direct sales only
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Product or Company website address:
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http://1971.240z.home.comcast.net/extras/alt-adapt.html
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Goose52
Registered User
Registered: February 2006
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 217
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Review Date: Mon March 27, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: $15.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Simple to install, great price, quality product, addresses a need
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Cons:
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None
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An elegant solution and truly plug-and-play to complete the electrical part of the 280ZX alternator conversion for the early Zs. I ordered one of these adapters as soon as I read about it. While waiting for the adapter to arrive, I ordered a rebuilt 60 amp ZX alternator. When the alternator and adapter were both in-hand, the total conversion only took a few minutes and the original fan belt worked fine with the new alternator. The only glitch was that I had to unplug the adapter and re-seat it into the stock voltage regulator connector on my ’72 Z to get it to work – it would probably be a good idea to have some contact cleaner available for our 30+ year old connectors!
Once everything was hooked up and working, the increased alternator output was noticeable with brighter lights at idle. Additionally, the power generated is more stable with a noticeable reduction in ammeter/voltmeter fluctuations. Plus, removing the VR cleans up the right side of the engine bay just a bit – a cosmetic plus.
Price is a very reasonable $15, shipping was fast. I’m very pleased with the adapter and I finally completed a conversion that I had been putting off for a long time.
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HLS30-89526 6/72 original owner
Looking for 1 more ATS 15x6 mag...
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DeesZ
DeesZ (John)
Registered: October 2005
Location: Pennsylvania - Millersburg
Posts: 745
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Review Date: Wed September 20, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: None indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Simple and Effective
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Cons:
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None
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Very simple upgrade and delivers exactly as promised. I should have done this upgrade a long time ago. Having an internal regulator seems to deliver a much more consistent flow of electricity than did my last two external units (both of which I learned to hate and distrust). Several other electronic issues (slow starting due to low battery sometimes, erratic voltmeter readings, etc.) seemed to get resloved, too, probably because I got rid of the external regulator and bumped up my amperage a bit over stock with a 65A unit. I'm one very pleased customer.
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See my Gallery .....
http://www.classiczcars.com/photopos...00&ppuser=9676
John
CZCC #9676 - IZCC #14985
1972 - HLS30-84646 - My driver - matching #'s - Nice ride
1973 - HLS30-132236 - RIP - Reduced to boxes of spare parts in the garage
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nahurry
Registered User
Registered: January 2003
Location: SIMPSONVILLE, S.C.
Posts: 149
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Review Date: Thu December 28, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: None indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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easy and effective
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Cons:
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none
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just made the conversion to the 280zx alternator. about as easy as you could want. brighter lights!!
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______http://www.cardomain.com/id/nahurry1971____________ 3/73- HLS30-151414
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JonnyRock
NW Native
Registered: November 2007
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 712
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Review Date: Thu March 6, 2008
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: None indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Simple as can be, totally effective!
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Cons:
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Installed when I recently upgraded to an '81 ZX alternator, and is couldn't have been more painless. Works like a charm!
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***PREVIOUSLY OWNED***
1970 Datsun 240Z
HLS30-01704
71,000 Original Miles
- Jon
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