Sorry for the hijack, but might be related.

When you guys say to keep the stock alternator, does this mean aftermarket high output alternators are inferior? Can the stock alternator handle high powered amped sound systems? My sound system is pretty mediocre - not that tasking.

I've been having problems with the stock alternator going bad (I went through 2 already in 1 year - should have done the brushes). I went ahead and bought high output alt and now the output is too low at idle (I have to turn off stereo at stop-and-go traffic - totally mickey mouse). Battery is good (red top), maybe something else is wrong with my charging system?

I also shredded another fan belt 2 days ago (that's twice in a year) and blew out the radiator. I've heard that burned out fan belts heat up the grease on the alt bearings and messes them up. Might just put back the stock alt after I do the brushes. What you guys think? This is all very stressful, especially during the holidays (sob).