The other benefit of raising the voltage is the fuel pump will produce slightly more flow and compensate for a lean condition.

So, the main purpose of this mod would be to take care of deficiencies that should be repaired? Not trying to be argumentative....just trying to determine what real positive results it will have. I'm a tinkerer, so I don't mind making changes that will make a difference, especially inexpensive ones. However, I didn't put green magic marker around the edges of my CDs even though it was cheap and was supposed to make a huge difference in sound quality.

If we figure that the alternator will normally put out maybe 14.5 volts and we add another .5 volts for a little over a 3% increase, does it make that much difference in things running at the nominal 12 volts? I can understand a slight increase in the input to the coils could make a large difference on the output, but as I understand it, our coils are more than hot enough already.

I do wonder about harm, though. That small increase in output required of the alternator will cause it to run hotter, and put more strain on the regulator and diodes, which all are already weak points. I don't have any concern over the diode shorting (the most common failure) as that would just return the voltage to normal. What happens if the diode opens and the regulator loses its reference? Does it just stop working and drop the alternator output to zero, or does it start introduicing a lot of AC, and RFI into the electrical system? Also, we 2000+ owners already have problems with burned out dash and radio lights at the normal voltages. The extra voltage will cause those to burn out more quickly.

Those are the questions I'd want answers to before I did the mod. I am not suggesting at all that others shouldn't do it - just trying to figure it out.

Ok I think when I go to the junkyard I will see if i can pick up the connector from both the alt (or similar connector) and the wires going to it so I can make a little connector and easely remove it. This way I can test it and not hack up my original wiring. When I do this I will find several places to pull the voltage reading and see what the changes are at them for all I know the lights in the car run off of 6v so it would be cut in half and then have 6.25v ect and check the radio referance/power, head lights, high beams, and fogs.

Hopefully I get out in the next couple of weeks.

Just becoming a gearhead again after 30 years of being head of family, but as a plant engineer and machine mechanic, I know a little about electricity. My opinion would be that as stated GM always engineers things to a fine point and doesnt leave slack to play with. I have had my share of electrical distribution problems on many pre 00'* as well as the mentioned ones here for 00+. . Phsyically you are going to increase performance of any given electrical component only 1/30th.... Half volt over 15 volts. (or roughly3.3% maybe less but by physics No more.

BUT you are causing premature altenator and diode wear, shortening battery life and putting more current through harness'* that are failing as they age just from OEM load. This makes as much sense in terms of physics as putting a rice pipe with 3 bends in it on a naturally aspirated engine.

Just a dizzy opinion Hate to see someone fry their Bonny for a 3% gain in spark and fuek pressure. Aftermarket coils and easy to install inline fuel pumps are cheap and everywhere

While I agree with your whole post above, our stock coils have plenty of voltage and our fuel pumps also flow plenty of fuel. No sense in getting aftermarket coils or fuel pumps that are less reliable when there is nothing wrong with the ones we already have. In fact, I don't really see why someone would need to do this mod at all.

Shawn

I was thinking that if you got an alt underdrive pulley it might help out a little.

I would really like to know if I could do this. I onlt have 1 wire going to that plug on the alt though. (blue)