Not running an alternator cause a loss of power??

A good friend of mine races locally on a 1/2mile asphalt track.  We run a late model car, however our club runs two versions of these cars.  We race the "limited" LM division with the GM crate engine.  A usual night will consist of practice (20min), 2 qualifying laps, a 8 lap heat race followed by a 20-30 lap feature.  We have never used an alternator or power steering...trying to eek out every bit of HP from the engine.  We also went to an electric water pump several years ago.  My question is, by not running an alternator, are we actually losing power possibly from a weaker spark?  What is everyones thoughts on this?  Thanks  

We did not run an alt. and then decided to use one with a switch to energize it when we wanted to. We ended up useing it all the time but still have the option of shutting it off.We did not notice any loss of power with it. It is my understanding there is a minor loss but the up side is you always have a great spark.You probabley are losing power, at least from time to time when the battery gets low. The alt.uses less engine HP  when it is not energized.

We also considered going to manual steering. How is it working out for you?  

the GM HEI system needs 14volts to run at peak efficientcy and, An alternator draws about 2hp est.

I run a street stock with 2 total power batteries in parallel with no alternator, and they both lose about 20% of there charge in a night, practice, 10 lap heat, 25 lap feature, but they produce a constant 13 volts. I race with guys and gals that run with both pwr steering and alternators, and some that run nothing, and I can't see any difference.

I would run an alternator with an electric water pump, just to be sure I had enough volts  

We considered trying power steering but with the correct caster settings the car is quite easy to handle during the race...assuming a good setup for the night.  

And thats fair, alot of guys don't. But, For myself (I can only speek for myself), I would run an alternator, whats 2hp. And just wondering, are you useing and electric fan?  

IF you are pulling more than 12 amps, over time you will lose power. If you can double up the batteries like previous poster suggested, you got it licked. Stock HEI pulls 10 alone under max resistance.  

wisneski7, What brand/model electric water pump do you use?  

I would never run without an alternator. My engine runs a touch over 15 volts with it, and I can run a small battery. Batteries are like buckets of water. Once you start the engine the water starts to flow out. If you don't keep the water flowing back into the bucket, sooner or late, it will run dry. Does that make sense?
GM HEI units run better with more volts. More volts also means a hotter spark and more power.  

ive never ran an alternator, i just hook up my battery charger to my optima red top and it gets me thru the night and only looses about 5% of its charge by the end of the 30lap feature  

HAVE YOU CONSIDERED A 16 VOLT BATTERY?

DO YOU HAVE ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THESE

 WE HAVE A LAND SPEED CAR AND WOULD LIKE TO RUN 16 V TO THE MSD  INSTEAD OF THE 12 V WE NOW HAVE

NO ROOM UNDER THE HOOD FOR A DECENT SIZE ALT

  ANY SUGGESTIONS ANYONE ??
     
 THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR ANY HELP...  

With a magneteo you don't need a alt. but if you use something that draws alot of energy like a MSD ign. system a alt. will help to keep the spark at full energy all the time, with a minimal HP loss. You can allways underdrive the alt. to help with HP loss some. Put all of you electronics/swithing on a relay system  to keep voltage draws at a minimum. Especialy fans & pumps they realy draw alot of amprage. A 16vlt. Alt.& Batt.s system is realy the way to go if rules allow it anyway. You can use the batt.s for ballast, side wieght or balance.  
Buy the book "How to build a _____" or "How to tune a _____" You fill in the blanks. & Allways I would "Fill your library before you fill your garage"

I've seen guys run alternators off the drive shaft also. Look at Summit Racing ther are some 12vlt.batt's I don't remember the brand XS Power, Optima & Braille I think. that are only 3.5" wide x 9.5"long x 6.5"high or something close to those dimensions you can use 2 & increase  your amps with out the extra wieght.  
Buy the book "How to build a _____" or "How to tune a _____" You fill in the blanks. & Allways I would "Fill your library before you fill your garage"

3836bbl:
With a magneteo you don't need a alt. but if you use something that draws alot of energy like a MSD ign. system a alt. will help to keep the spark at full energy all the time, with a minimal HP loss. You can allways underdrive the alt. to help with HP loss some. Put all of you electronics/swithing on a relay system  to keep voltage draws at a minimum. Especialy fans & pumps they realy draw alot of amprage. A 16vlt. Alt.& Batt.s system is realy the way to go if rules allow it anyway. You can use the batt.s for ballast, side wieght or balance.



+1 Bud,,,
There is a better way to have an alternator, except at full throttle.
You interupt the field wire and switch it with a GM TH-400 kick-down switch (reversed),,, mounted to your gas pedal or carb linkage.
Alternator works ALL the time until you hit full throttle, the switch opens the field circuit and the alternator freewheels,,, when you need every horse available

Pic of switch for TH-400,,, needs to be reversed for alt. cut out.




 
When The Flag Drops,,,
The Bull Chit Stops,,,



Master Engine Builder

Tuffnuff good to see you over here. not a real active site, it could use your expertise though.  3836bbl/Budnicks  
Buy the book "How to build a _____" or "How to tune a _____" You fill in the blanks. & Allways I would "Fill your library before you fill your garage"

Thanks Bud,,, glad to help any young gear head get the most out of their combo.
I replied to your PM and I might take over the Moderator job on this site and get some activity happening again. It worked for me at CarCraft and Highperformancepontiac, since I became Mod,,, maybe I can do some good here too.
Never know,,, time will tell.

I'm chewin on it, LOL



 
When The Flag Drops,,,
The Bull Chit Stops,,,



Master Engine Builder