Do i need a high output alternator?

-Im getting a Kicker zx 1500.1 watt amp.. the guide recommends a 140+amp alternator but my impala stock is about 82-83ish i believe.. I dont want to do a second battery but would just a HO alternator work? such as http://www.jcwhitney.com/new-alternators/p2019136.jcwx?skuId=492044&filterid=d265y2001j5? it says up to 150 amps.. but would it burn out to fast working close to peak power so often?It won't be working at peak power "so often" unless you drive around with your music maxed all the time, in which case your bigger concern would be going deaf. A second battery will never help out if your alternator is underpowered anyway, people just seem to think it will, so go ahead and get the 150amp to fit :)
http://stores.ebay.com/hiampsalternators





got a couple alts from that dude and worked well. ya gonna need to do the big 3 also go to a welding shop and pick up some wire for the big 3 skip the extra battery
If you are going to use all the power that amp is capable of then yes, you will want a High Output Alternator. Anytime you put in a HO Alternator you should do the big 3 because your electrical system is only as good as its weakest link. If you have 8 guage wire or something wimpy like that you won't be able to get all the power you need from the alt anyway, I recommend 1/0 gauge wire for anything over 1000watts.



Adding a battery does not add power. It will only help make it last longer without the car running so don't waste your money on a 2nd battery.



With a HO alt and the big 3 upgrade you will have no problems with your headlights dimming with the beat or have to worry about your amp being under powered and overheating. The one you mentioned will be fine if it's a 150amp output, but the amp you're talking about can handle 150amps by itself, so you may want a little bit more than that, like a 200amp alt. Your impala's other electrical things like headlights, windows, heater, etc. are only using about 35 amps on average so the rest is free for your THUMP THUMP.



As far as the Big 3 being hype - No, it will make a difference. Look at it like this... If I have my hand around your neck its hard for you to breathe. When I remove my hand, you can breathe just fine. So, adding heavier wire to your electrical system is like removing my hand, it allows your system to get all the power(breathe better).