High Output Alternator search

Part of the 2007 Mazda 3 stereo build is that I am running too high amperage to use a stock alternator. The kicker 2500.1 + the kicker 700.5 have the potential to run 200-220 amps at maximum power with 14.4v (alternator output). That doesn't factor in much effiiciency loss either. I will realistically be running the them at the highest to draw about 140 - 180 amps. The stock alternator puts out 90 amps so you can see the problem. I hooked up the kicker 2500 and the subs and my lights were dimming severely and the voltage going into the amp dropped to 12.4 several times which means that it was running off the the battery and the alternator was struggling to keep up. My lights were dimming badly. I definitely need to upgrade my alternator.

Many places will rewind a stock alternator for more output, but unfortunately for me, no one will rewind a Mazda 3's Alternator because it is foreign and it is a Mitsibishi. I have to buy one somewhere. I looked online and almost no where offers a HO ALT for my car, but so far this is what I've found.

Iraggi Alternators 200 amps with a Idle performance chart to prove it ($360)
Manicelectroncis These guys don't have a performance chart but say that it does 160 amps at 1800 rpms. ($300)

Both brands sell on ebay. Iraggi Alternators is run by a guy named Dominick Iraggi. I think he  runs the whole show by himself. Either way I've heard awesome things about his work. Steve Meade uses Iraggi Alternators for his SPL builds. The only worry I have is some of the feedback left about them on ebay. Manicelectronics however has perfect feedback but I don't trust the quality of alternator as much. I'm still leaning towards Iraggi for the quality of alternators he builds and because he just emailed me with his work phone, cell phone and email. I should be able to buy this alternator in February for my birthday.

If you have the same car and are looking for one DO NOT BUY A one size fits all or conversion brackets. I promise they will not fit. You will have to do some very custom brackets to make it fit. I have a picture of an example of a one size fits all high output alternator and the mazda's alternator.

The one on the left is a once size fits all and the one on the right is a mazda 3 alternator. Notice the brackets on both of them. That would not be fun to cut and weld brackets to fit. It's not impossible, just time consuming.

pics of speakers

Here are the pictures of the speakers that will be going in the build.

The subs are Pioneer Premier TSW-2501D2

midbass are some cheap 8" subs i found on ebay

the components are 6.5" Planet Audio rx6525 and 5.25" Pioneer TS-G1342R

Kicker ZX 2500.1 to run the subs at 2ohms. and a Kicker KX 700.5 to push the mids and the midbass subs. I couldn't find a link to the Kicker KX 700.5 so I linked it with the newer version, the ZX 700.5

I hate component speakers but found them for super cheap. I plan on upgrading the speakers, and midbass woofers later. The subs will probably stay because that is more than enough bass for a small mazda 3. I would like some 18"s but it's not really practical.

First Post of First Audio Install

I am a "do it yourself" kind of person. This is a blog about the builds I am doing and will be doing. It's not super fancy or elaborate. I put prices of everything so you can see how cheap and easy this build up is. It will take time because I don't have much cash, and i work full-time and go to school full-time

My first build will be in my wife's 2007 mazda 3 sedan. The items that will be used in this build are:

Speakers

• 2 10" pioneer premier tsw-3001d2 (dual 2 ohm) subwoofers ($150 for both or $75 a piece used)
• 2 cheapo 8" subs I bought on ebay for 20$ that don't have a name or brand but will be my mid bass (new)
• 2 6.5 rx6525 planet audio speakers (new from a friend for free)
• 2 5.25 pioneer speakers ($10 on ebay used)
• stock speakers (6x8's) that don't sound all that bad but will be barely used (came with car)

Amplifiers

• kicker ZX 2500.1 (I paid $400 used off of some guy on craigslist.)
• kicker KX 700.5 (paid $150 for the amp, cap, and amp cover. all used)

Electrical

• Rockford Fosgate 2 AWG amp kit (paid $12.50 on ebay but picked up locally)
• Scosche 4 AWG amp kit (a friend bought a jeep that was wired up for an amp and stripped it out for me for free)

Other Items that have not been purchased but will

• High Output Alternator. I am currently looking for an Iraggi HO Alternator for $330 that does 200 amps
• 0 AWG wire for the big 3 (I plan bidding on some used 0 AWG on ebay)
• Tweeters (plan on buying some tweeters on onlinecarstereo.com or getting some used ones on ebay.)

My plan for putting all this in is the 10s are going in a custom ported box at 2 cubic feet tuned to 34 -35 hz. the 8's in seperate sealed boxes that will go under the front seats. (the box will be half wood and half fiberglassed to provide a squaty box that can fit under the front seats) The 6.5" speakers will go in 2 fiberglassed boxes that will sit behind the headrests in the rear deck and i haven't decided on the 5.25's yet.

Remember this is a budget build and almost everything is used. So far I have spent $742.50 on 2 tens, 2 eights, 2 6.5's, 2 5.25's and 2 amplifiers. Not bad considering the kicker 2500.1 alone goes for more than that refurbished on ebay. All in all the final price for all the equipment should be slightly under $1200 which if you went to get fiberglassed boxes with these products you would pay far more than that by more than double.