[Supras] MR2 100amp Alternator in 92T --- NOT a drop-in replacement??.....

[B A]

I posted this on supraforums, but past experience tells me that different
people frequent that spot and this supras mailing list, so I hope nobody is
offended if I post my negative experience with supposed "drop-in
replacement" 100A alternator from the 1991 MR2 Turbo --- I'm really stuck at
this point, and don't see much alternative than to return this thing to
AdvanceAutoParts and just accept the stock 80A unit....



Ugh!! Well, the alternator in my 92 Turbo was shot, so after searching
through the forums, I settled on getting the 1991 MR2 2.0L Turbo DOHC w/PS
"drop-in" replacement, with the 100amp rating.

Part #s checked out correctly --- got it from Advance Auto parts, part #
14901. Worldwide brand, 100amp premium reman.

So the old busted alternator comes off without too much trouble, and I mount
the new MR2 one in place. No issues with the pulley either, since mine is a
1992 Turbo -- only the '87s and '88s had the different pulley diameter.

BUT.......... the MR2 alternator connectors are SHIFTED DOWNWARD by almost
90 degrees --- WTF! I took pictures so you can see what the issue is:

1. http://www.hurstwood.com/alt/IMG_2163.JPG The green circled "X" is where
the positive terminal USED to be on the stock alternator --- note where it
is now on the MR2 alt! WAY further down. Probably not the end of the world,
since the cable that hooks onto it from the battery is pretty flexible.

BUT..........

*2. http://www.hurstwood.com/alt/IMG_2169a.JPG *UGH!! Look at the back of
the alternator where i've highlighted in red --- that's where the back plug
has to go into --- but the oil line outlined in green is 100% in the way,
100% covering up the hole!

There is literally just no way for that back connector to get in -- the
receptacle in the alternator is 100% blocked by that oil line.

The alternator does sit lower, rotationally, than the stock one did too. But
if you try to lift the alternator upwards (rotating it on that pvot bolt),
then the alternator belt becomes too tight. Ugh. Because it sits so much
lower, I had to spin the nut on that tensioner rod down about an inch so
that the tensioner bracket would line up with the tensioner bolt hole in the
alternator.

For those of you who have done the MR2 alternator upgrade --- how did you
get these connectors in? I don't see ANY way that this a drop-in replacement
at all, unless I've truly messed something up.

If it helps, here are all the pics I took:

http://www.hurstwood.com/alt/IMG_2162.JPG
http://www.hurstwood.com/alt/IMG_2163.JPG
http://www.hurstwood.com/alt/IMG_2164.JPG
http://www.hurstwood.com/alt/IMG_2165.JPG
http://www.hurstwood.com/alt/IMG_2166.JPG
http://www.hurstwood.com/alt/IMG_2167.JPG
http://www.hurstwood.com/alt/IMG_2168.JPG
http://www.hurstwood.com/alt/IMG_2169a.JPG
http://www.hurstwood.com/alt/IMG_2170.JPG


Any timely advice would truly be appreciated. I've got an Infinity
amp/subwoofer arriving this weekend, and I'd really like to have the extra
20 amps this MR2 alternator provides.

Thanks,
Brian
1992 Toyota Supra Turbo, 5-spd, targa, black on black leather, 170k miles