can somebody ruin an alternater by handling it wrong? It was fine before I did the wire/plug/opti install, but now something is wrong. A minute after I first start the car it bounces around when accelerating (like power is cutting in and out). And I've been watching the battery gauge and it rises and falls.

 

Sounds like a misfire, which would be common after a plug/wire install. Make sure no wire came off the plug, and make sure all plugs are in there correctly....

 

Like 95TA8280 was saying, a lot of times the wires get so bent up and twisted during the install they can actually crack. they should be under waranty, get a new set and try that.