2010 Camaro SS2 Alternator Upgrade 250A / 0 Gauge Alternator Wiring Upgrade Question? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Camaro_Fuzion · 12-04-2016, 01:52 PM

I am going to be upgrading my 2010 Chevy Camaro SS2 stock alternator to a 250AMP version. In addition I'll also be upgrading the stock alternator cable to a 0 gauge cable. My questions and concerns are if I will have to run a 20 foot 0 gauge cable from the front all the way to the rear and connect it to the battery in the trunk? GM provided me with a diagram layout of the alternator cable. Does anyone have any experience regarding aftermarket alternators and the proper length of alternator cable best suited for this type of installation? Does the alternator cable have to travel to the engine all the way to the back of the trunk? Is there another proper way to do this upgrade? Will I need any additional parts?

Alternator Cable layout diagram

250 AMP High AMP Alternator Chevy Camaro V8 6.2L 376cid VIN J 2010-2015

20 FT O GAUGE WIRING W/ FUSE KIT

km9v · 12-04-2016, 02:43 PM

I think so.

Camaro_Fuzion · 12-04-2016, 09:27 PM

I think so and knowing so are two different things. At least on the internet it is. I guess I will find out by the mechanic next week. I am just trying to save some money and time if there is a better way. Maybe this forum will know within 48 hours or less....lol!

Hldn1Le · 12-04-2016, 09:36 PM

Look up Mechman Alternators, I am sure he could help you with purchase and install questions. I had a 270a alt 3 batteries 4000watt amp and 1 DC soundlab 18" in my Avalanche. It would get down.

Camaro_Fuzion · 12-04-2016, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hldn1Le

Look up Mechman Alternators, I am sure he could help you with purchase and install questions. I had a 270a alt 3 batteries 4000watt amp and 1 DC soundlab 18" in my Avalanche. It would get down.

Thanks! I don't have a high-end stereo system but more less will be in the future. I'm doing some upgrades now on the alternator and wiring setup. I am thankful for the link you provided. I contacted them on their website. I hope he replies.

Camaro_Fuzion · 12-06-2016, 03:05 AM

I contacted Mechman Alternators and they don't know if the cable on a 2010 Chevy Camaro leads to the front all the way to the trunk of the car. They don't even make my year only up to 1992 from what I was told today. Does anyone know if the stock OEM alternator cable on a 2010 Camaro SS2 is a 1/0 or 0/1 gauge cable? The stock cable on the Camaro is orange and really big from what I can see. Does anyone know or not on any technical level regarding my request?

Camaro_Fuzion · 12-06-2016, 03:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hldn1Le

Look up Mechman Alternators, I am sure he could help you with purchase and install questions. I had a 270a alt 3 batteries 4000watt amp and 1 DC soundlab 18" in my Avalanche. It would get down.

Did you get down and boggy? lol!

ThisGuyDrives · 12-06-2016, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camaro_Fuzion

Does anyone know if the stock OEM alternator cable on a 2010 Camaro SS2 is a 1/0 or 0/1 gauge cable? The stock cable on the Camaro is orange and really big from what I can see. Does anyone know or not on any technical level regarding my request?

From what I can tell, the wires that go directly to the alternator are your typical sized wire. The 0 gauge is only from the post under the hood back to the battery in the trunk. I currently have a 300 amp alternator I've been sitting on for a couple of months because of the big 3 issue. I asked a local car audio shop that I've been to in the past and they won't even do the wiring because my Camaro is too low for them to wire up the alternator.
Naturally, I want to put a 5k watt system in a car for the first time and the alternator is at the bottom and the battery is in the trunk. Kind of frustrating.
I'm not quite sure how I'm gonna get this done. I just know I don't have the tools or know how to do it myself.

jeff657756 · 12-06-2016, 01:07 PM

You aren't going to find much bigger conductors than 0 gauge and have said conductors be bendable/workable without getting frustrated trying to run it through the engine bay let alone the length of the car. Look up wiring size tables on google. The length I wouldn't be too much worried about, since you aren't talking hundreds of feet. If anything 2 runs of good 0 gauge wire (make sure its copper, don't do that CCA crap) should be plenty. Oh and don't forget about your grounds.

xnuyokr · 12-06-2016, 02:38 PM

The heaviest cable from the battery is always the one to the starter. While your new alternator can put out more current, I don't believe that increased current draw is seen from the battery to the alternator. The output wires feeding everything from the alternator will be handling the higher current. Ask about this as the battery to alternator cable upgrade may not be necessary.

CreeperRS · 12-06-2016, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camaro_Fuzion

I am going to be upgrading my 2010 Chevy Camaro SS2 stock alternator to a 250AMP version. In addition I'll also be upgrading the stock alternator cable to a 0 gauge cable. My questions and concerns are if I will have to run a 20 foot 0 gauge cable from the front all the way to the rear and connect it to the battery in the trunk? GM provided me with a diagram layout of the alternator cable. Does anyone have any experience regarding aftermarket alternators and the proper length of alternator cable best suited for this type of installation? Does the alternator cable have to travel to the engine all the way to the back of the trunk? Is there another proper way to do this upgrade? Will I need any additional parts?

Alternator Cable layout diagram

250 AMP High AMP Alternator Chevy Camaro V8 6.2L 376cid VIN J 2010-2015

20 FT O GAUGE WIRING W/ FUSE KIT

NO, you do not need to run a 20' 0 gauge cable to the trunk. You would only have to run it from the alternator to the + battery post under the hood, the one with the red cover. Simply replace the existing cable already attached to the alternator. I believe it's like 1 yard long.

Camaro_Fuzion · 12-10-2016, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CreeperRS

NO, you do not need to run a 20' 0 gauge cable to the trunk. You would only have to run it from the alternator to the + battery post under the hood, the one with the red cover. Simply replace the existing cable already attached to the alternator. I believe it's like 1 yard long.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you on the daily bro!

I will advise my automotive shop tech today on how to proceed. This information just saved me a lot of time and money. Thanks everyone.

12-04-2016, 01:52 PM	#1
Camaro_Fuzion Drives: 2022 Chevy Camaro 2SS Redline Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 382	2010 Camaro SS2 Alternator Upgrade 250A / 0 Gauge Alternator Wiring Upgrade Question? I am going to be upgrading my 2010 Chevy Camaro SS2 stock alternator to a 250AMP version. In addition I'll also be upgrading the stock alternator cable to a 0 gauge cable. My questions and concerns are if I will have to run a 20 foot 0 gauge cable from the front all the way to the rear and connect it to the battery in the trunk? GM provided me with a diagram layout of the alternator cable. Does anyone have any experience regarding aftermarket alternators and the proper length of alternator cable best suited for this type of installation? Does the alternator cable have to travel to the engine all the way to the back of the trunk? Is there another proper way to do this upgrade? Will I need any additional parts? Alternator Cable layout diagram 250 AMP High AMP Alternator Chevy Camaro V8 6.2L 376cid VIN J 2010-2015 20 FT O GAUGE WIRING W/ FUSE KIT

12-06-2016, 02:38 PM	#10
xnuyokr Drives: 2012 1LT Drop Top Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Yardley, Pa Posts: 743	The heaviest cable from the battery is always the one to the starter. While your new alternator can put out more current, I don't believe that increased current draw is seen from the battery to the alternator. The output wires feeding everything from the alternator will be handling the higher current. Ask about this as the battery to alternator cable upgrade may not be necessary. __________________

12-04-2016, 02:43 PM	#2
km9v Drives: 2011 Camaro SS/RS M6 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Beaumont, TX Posts: 421	I think so.

12-04-2016, 09:27 PM	#3
Camaro_Fuzion Drives: 2022 Chevy Camaro 2SS Redline Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 382	I think so and knowing so are two different things. At least on the internet it is. I guess I will find out by the mechanic next week. I am just trying to save some money and time if there is a better way. Maybe this forum will know within 48 hours or less....lol!

12-04-2016, 09:36 PM	#4
Hldn1Le Drives: 2014 Red Hot 1LE Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Ga Posts: 18	Look up Mechman Alternators, I am sure he could help you with purchase and install questions. I had a 270a alt 3 batteries 4000watt amp and 1 DC soundlab 18" in my Avalanche. It would get down.

12-06-2016, 03:05 AM	#6
Camaro_Fuzion Drives: 2022 Chevy Camaro 2SS Redline Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 382	I contacted Mechman Alternators and they don't know if the cable on a 2010 Chevy Camaro leads to the front all the way to the trunk of the car. They don't even make my year only up to 1992 from what I was told today. Does anyone know if the stock OEM alternator cable on a 2010 Camaro SS2 is a 1/0 or 0/1 gauge cable? The stock cable on the Camaro is orange and really big from what I can see. Does anyone know or not on any technical level regarding my request?

12-06-2016, 01:07 PM	#9
jeff657756 Drives: 2014 SS 1LE Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: United States Posts: 660	You aren't going to find much bigger conductors than 0 gauge and have said conductors be bendable/workable without getting frustrated trying to run it through the engine bay let alone the length of the car. Look up wiring size tables on google. The length I wouldn't be too much worried about, since you aren't talking hundreds of feet. If anything 2 runs of good 0 gauge wire (make sure its copper, don't do that CCA crap) should be plenty. Oh and don't forget about your grounds.