Tuff Stuff Hydro-Boost power steering pump | Nicole Ellan James photos

Tuff Stuff Performance Accessories debuted its new Hydro-Boost power-steering pump at the 2019 SEMA Show. What makes the Hydro-Boost pump different from a standard power-steering pump is that it has two return connections. This is because the pump is designed to be used for both hydroboost brake systems and power steering. 

The new piece is a Saginaw-style pump that comes with all-new components, including the reservoir and pump assembly. It works as a replacement for dented or leaking pumps and features a 3/4-inch press-fit shaft so it can be used with a press-on pulley. Other highlights include a factory ⅝-18 inverted-flare pressure port, two ⅜-inch OD return tubes, two ⅜-16 mounting studs, and two reservoir bolts. 

The Tuff Stuff Hydro-Boost power-steering pump pressure amounts to 1,200psi of steering and braking power.

Additionally, the pump pressure amounts to 1,200psi with 3GPM of flow. An optional 850psi valve is available for Mustang II rack-and-pinion systems, upon request. The pump will work on GM, Ford, or Mopar vehicles, and custom builds utilizing a Hydro-Boost brake system are available.

It comes with a billet chrome cap and dipstick, in your choice of chrome-plated or stealth black. 

According to Tuff Stuff, every product offered is assembled in-house. “First, we do the metal finishing in-house — things like chrome plating and polishing — and then we do the final assembly and testing of all the products.” 

Press-on pulley for Type-II pumps.

“While not revolutionary,” the rep from Tuff Stuff said at SEMA, “we have had a number of customers who want an eight-groove pulley on some of our power-steering pumps to use with A/C compressors. So, there are six new part numbers available now for applications with A/C compressors. 

“For late-model Mustangs, we also developed a very-high amperage alternator.” According to the Tuff Stuff rep, muscle cars of the ’70s and ’80s had alternators that typically put out 100 to 160 amps. The Tuff Stuff alternators offered at SEMA produce 175 to 250 amps and 135 to 211 amps at idle. 

Max-amp alternator offered by Tuff Stuff.

The alternator is a direct fit with the OEM wiring harness on 2011-2017 Mustangs. It is a hairpin-style stator, six-phase, with a square wire that provides the maximum amperage output. The design incorporates dual-plate rectifiers with 12 diodes and twin internal cooling fans. 

Tuff Stuff also offers the high-amp alternator for Jeeps — known as the Tuff Mudder alternator. Those provide up to 50-percent more amperage than the stock Jeep Wrangler JK alternators, yet, they retain the OE-form factor. 

Tuff Stuff Tuff Mudder Alternator.

Tuff Mudder alternators can handle nearly any load with an output of up to 210 amps at idle. The huge copper windings, giant diodes, and premium quality ball bearings assure maximum output and extreme dependability. Jeep owners can run anything from a winch to a snowplow. The alternators incorporate a large internal cooling fan that prevents overheating and is available in either 175- or 250-amp versions.

The parts kept coming!

Tuff Stuff’s high-torque, permanent-magnet gear-reduction starters are compact in size and easily crank high-compression engines. Built in Cleveland, Ohio, they are made from 100-percent new components and have a zinc or stealth-black finish.

Other alternators on display at the Tuff Stuff booth included those for muscle cars produced in the mid-1960s to the late-’80s. 

For those unaware of how much amperage your car can handle, Tuff Stuff says “The more amperage the better. As long as the alternator can fit into your brackets, you can put any size alternator on your vehicle.” Tuff Stuff added the voltage regulator will control the amount of amperage the battery needs to run your accessories.

However, Tuff Stuff noted that it is imperative you increase the size of your charge wire if you are upgrading to a higher amp alternator. Insufficient wire-gauge size can cause a fire due to heat created by resistance.

Products on display at Stuff Stuff SEMA Booth

“Many of the alternators are available in configurations that can be connected via a one- or two-wire style. That means you don’t have to use the OEM plug and wiring all around the alternator to the engine. You have one heavy-gauge wire going to your battery and you don’t need an extra regulator or anything else. It makes for a clean simple installation. And we have it in all the different finishes.” 

According to Tuff Stuff, one-wire alternators will simplify your build. “If you are starting a project from scratch, then there is no longer a need for the messy wire harness from an externally mounted regulator In many instances, you can remove your existing external regulator and harness and replace it with a one-wire system.”

One wire alternators can be purchased for GM, Ford, and Mopar applications. 

Tuff Stuff’s high-amp alternators are available in a wide range of finishes, including chrome plated, polished aluminum, black chrome, stealth black, and various powdercoated colors and also Tuff Stuff’s Factory Cast finish. Many alternators are available in one-wire or OEM plug-in style and range from 65-amp to an impressive 250-amp output – depending upon the part number.

All Tuff Stuff alternators are built in the U.S. and carry a 1-year limited warranty. For more information, see Tuff Stuff.