The stud that sticks out of the alternator that the charge wire connects to melted in half sometime recently, so I've been running off the battery apparently. Good times.

Questions about replacement- I've found 80 amp alternators for around $100, and up to $180 amp ones for $750. What's the stock alternator rated at, and should I upgrade the voltage capabilities on it, or are other things involved to do so?

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I think you need to try figure what caused it to melt before replace, chance it will just melt again..

You sldn't need the 180 amp aftermarket alt unless have wall of subs or something in your car. I run 1200 watt kicker amp off a 70amp d series alt....

Stock alternator is either 90 or 95 amps. I believe the VTEC models had 95 amp alts, and non VTEC models had 90 amp units.