I've heard rumors that a higher amp alternator will actually shorten the engine's life dramatically to the point where it wouldn't be worth it. My stocker died out recently and i was going to upgrade to a better alt to handle the extra load my stereo puts out but if this rumor is true i might want to rethink that. Has thsi rumor and truth to it? ANd if so - how bad would it be for the engine?

 

As long as the regulator keeps the voltage in check, i don't see how it would shorten the life of the engine? The higher amp alt. will create more drag, but it's not going to blow your motor up. Who told you that ?

 

Whoever told you that is full of it.

 

How a higher amp alternator would shorten the life of pistons and rockers and a cam and a crankshaft is beyond me.