E36 - Upgrading to 140amp alternator, do I need a new voltage regulator?

[M3Gonz]

Hey folks,

Simple question, I tried searching the forum as well as The Google with very little luck. I'm replacing the original 80 amp alternator (with 398,000 miles on it!) and going to use a 140amp alternator due to a car audio upgrade, and simply to get ride of the annoying electrical glitches and annoyances. Do I need a voltage regulator, or do I need to do anything else besides simply pulling out the old one and putting in the new one? Will the existing wire be able to handle the higher amperage?

Thanks a ton for your help!

[bmwdirtracer]

The voltage regulator is part of the alternator.
A 1998 M3 had an 80 amp or a 140 amp alternator. The 140's part number is 12311744567. The wiring harness wouldn't have changed for the different alternators.

[M3Gonz]

Thank you much!

[pbonsalb]

The pulley spacing is different. Usually the Bosch comes with the pulley. If it does not, you cannitvseap thebibevftom the Valeo andceill Gabe to buy the Bosch pulley. I also recall grinding a tiny bitbofvthevxase to add clearance but I had a supercharger then and maybe it was due to the bracket for that. Can’t remember — it was in 2006.