140amp valeo alternator (m20 vert alternator)

[vivalegreg]

i need this specific alternator for my cab, if it helps it has a power top (maybe the reason it runs a 140 amp alternator) and its got an m20...

unfortunately for me this alt is kinda hard to come by and if i could get a good used or new one for cheap id be veeeerrry happy!

help! must be a 140 amp valeo alternator for m20b25

[vpilarrt]

You sure you dont have an 105 amp? I thought the only 140 amps were on E36 325s and they have the multi-rib serpentine belt, not the V-belt. I did get an V-belt 105 amp for my E30 318is from an early E36 318is since I'm running an electric cooling fan and have 2 audio amps (1 for a sub).

[Boris1111]

Have the 140A from M50... that is mentiond above

[vivalegreg]

not really sure exactly which one i have i know for a fact its a valeo, and the part store tells me i have a 140 amp. i cant seem to find exactly where on the alt it says the amperage tho...on the little black fuse/relay thing attached to the back of the alternator where it connects says 110 iirc...but then there is 140 written on the alt in some part number type form...followed by a bunch of other numbers..coincidence?

i know i have a real late model e30..build date 08/92 so i not sure if they are messing and quoting me the wrong part or not...

[Wishno87]

If you told them you have a 92 325i they probably think you have a nv50 e36.

[vpilarrt]

I suspect Wishno87 is correct. According to RealOEM the Valeo is an 80 amp and the Bosch is an 90 amp. The Valeos have a black plastic cover over the back end. Some of you M20 guys - chime in but I think you can use either one. Here's a pic of the Valeo.

[jasonsnoddy]

can we use the e36 ones on m20's?

[Naplm00]

the alt is standard from power top to non power top. It is 90 amps. I used a 80 amp Eta alt in my cabrio for a while

[vivalegreg]

mine doesnt look like the one above^

but i do have a spare eta alt, i mean i imagine it would work i hear you may have to shave some part of the housing to fit correctly but shouldnt be anything too difficult. i feel like for some reason mine is a 110a alt because it says 110a on the backside of it where i assume the voltage reg is. and apppearently those arent replaceable...ugh. tracing this is becoming an annoying problem.

[Flash]

You can use the E34 M20 525i alternator/PS bracket, and use that same 115A alternator, or use the 140A E34 M30 535i/E32 735i alternator, its the same case as the 115A and will bolt right up to you vert with the bracket.

[vivalegreg]

i just used a bosch 90a and it fit and worked fine so win for me and yea they are all pretty interchangeable