Maxima Alternator

Short Explanation

Though there are some PERFORMANCE reasons to add a higher output alternator to your car, I put in the Maxima (90-91) alternator to accomodate my added power needs (which include a 340 watt stereo and an electric fan). In fact, after installing the electric fan, my already dying stock alt. went out entirely.

On my '84 NA this was a direct bolt on...yes, direct bolt on. But I had to modify my belt system. The Max alt. comes with a serpentine pulley, so I had to get a crankshaft pulley with a serpentine inner pulley (2 V's, 1 serpentine...unlike stock '84 NA which is 3 V's). Total cost of adding the Max alt. was $120 (alt), $120 (Unorthodox Racing Underdrive Pulley), $40 or so for the serpentine water pump pulley, and a few bucks for the belts. So it came out pretty high. BUT, I haven't had electrical problems since, so for me it was well worth it. I can have my stereo full blast, with lights, AC, electric fan doing its thing, and even use my blinkers!!!

Gains are nothing...in fact, you may loose a bit of power from this mod because the Max alt, having a 90 amp output as opposed to the stock 70, takes more to turn (its a bigger generator). Go here for complete details. On turbo Z's the alt. is placed on the passenger side and later model NA's may also be there...I understand you have to do other adjustments (like shaving the alt. bracket ears or something) to get the Max alt. on.