Is doing the big three really worth it?

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=54948
Printed Date: May 28, 2024 at 11:14 PM

Topic: Is doing the big three really worth it?

Posted By: skylark
Subject: Is doing the big three really worth it?
Date Posted: May 01, 2005 at 11:22 PM

I did the big three in my other old school 70 skylark with a 150 amp alt. And i wasnt impressed. now i have another ride, a 69 oldsmobile toronado with a 100 amp alt and i am thinking should i do it.

Can somebody explain the pros and cons of not doing a big three.

I am running two amps off 0/1 guage cable to a distribuiton box spilt out to 4 guage.

One amp is a jbl audio 1200.bp. amp and the other is a lanzar 800 watt 4 channel vibe amp, old one not the new garbage.

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goingcrazyonsound

Replies:

Posted By: Alpine Guy
Date Posted: May 02, 2005 at 9:40 AM

It is a good idea since usually the factory wire is 8 awg, if you upgrade the big 3 you will cut down on wire resistance, especially if you re do your grounds properly. Significant? It depends on how bad your factory wires were in the first place.

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2003 Chevy Avalanche,Eclipse CD7000,Morel Elate 5,Adire Extremis,Alpine PDX-4.150, 15" TC-3000, 2 Alpine PDX-1.1000, 470Amp HO Alt.

Posted By: supradude
Date Posted: May 02, 2005 at 4:18 PM

Yes, it is worth doing. This and a higher output alternator will help you a lot. Did you upgrade ALL of the wires associated on the last car?

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'85 Toy

Posted By: pimpincavy
Date Posted: May 02, 2005 at 7:19 PM

Quick question guys....

What is the big three??

I have heard it is a HO alt, deep cycle battery and bigger gauge wiring.

I have also heard it is just the upgraded wires, power and ground for the alt and battery.

So which is it??

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Posted By: racer427
Date Posted: May 02, 2005 at 7:27 PM

In general, the answer would be YES.

If you have an anp that is rated at say, 80amp draw and another that is rated at 40 or so amps, you are already over the limit of the ALT. When you start to bump that 1200bp it is gonna yell back at ya.

Not only should you upgrade the ALT, you should upgrade all of the power and ground wires under the hood as well.

As an example, I am running an MTX 801D, it has a max draw of 75 amps. And I am running a Cadence 4 channel rated at 35 amps max draw. My stock ALT was 105amps. 75 + 35 = 110 amps + vehicle draw around 60 amps for all of the accessories plus the computer and well, it is obvious that the current ALT just won't handle it.

So, as of today I just finished installing an Iraggi 220 amp alt, upgraded the power wire going to the battery to 2g and upgraded all the ground wires to 2g as well. Guess what, My 801D actually performs much, much better at higher volumes and no more Dimming of the lights..

Also, not so much in your case, with computer controled cars, it is an utmost upgrade that must be paid serious attention to.

In your case, I would do it just to get all of the performance out of your system as you can.

Chris

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Alpine CDA-9833 HU
Diamond Audio M661 Components
MTX Thunder T6.6 Components:rear fill:
Cadence Q400 4 Channel Mains + rears
Thunder 801D Subs
MTX 1004 10's
Dual 4g wire to rear
4g grounds

Posted By: racer427
Date Posted: May 02, 2005 at 7:31 PM

Also, a note for anyone working with a computer controlled car, It is a must to upgrade the electrical system as computers offten tend to, or could blow due to power surges that could be caused by an overdraw from your amps. I was at one time a certified mechanic and still work on cars for people on the side and have seen or suspected this several times.

Chris