ADVANCED ALTERNATOR

Known in the high-performance aftermarket as one of the most dominating companies within its highly specialized field, MSD has commanded–even controlled–the business of high-output, capacitive-discharge ignition systems. Racing factories use them (it’s doubtful that you will find a NASCAR car without two), and they dominate the more serious drag cars. When racers think of ignition, their first choice is usually MSD, and there’s good reason for this.
MSD is built upon advanced technology. Its principals, who pioneered those highly powerful and dependable ignition systems, were schooled missile engineers who worked on government programs. While multiple spark technology may not have originated at MSD, the company’s high-tech solutions have made it a household name within racing and high-performance circles. Today, MSD has greatly expanded its line, and rather than add products for the sake of expansion, the company always seems to fill a huge gap in the marketplace. Its billet-machined distributors are legendary, and it offers waterproof systems for boat racing and a complete line of high-quality street components that over-deliver on the needs of high-output monster power rods, muscle cars and serious off-road trucks. As one might expect from such a cutting-edge company, the products include systems for both the traditional distributor ignition and the newer-generation all-digital Distributorless Ignition Systems (DIS). But in every case, before the products were engineered and offered for sale, the staff at MSD first assessed what the market needed and where the technological gaps existed, and then they set out to fill them. This has never been more evident than with the introduction of the company’s new precision alternator. With one product line, many of our charging problems have been solved in an attractive package that’s adaptable to any custom application.

Everyone knows that an automotive battery cannot continue to produce electrical power without an alternator to provide a constant charge. The staff at MSD certainly understands the necessity of a fully-charged battery and what this power supply means to a properly functioning high-output ignition system. Because of this, they have developed their own alternators, based on their extensive knowledge and on-going electrical system development. In addition to having close precision internal tolerances, the APS has a beautifully machined round billet housing, something you will not find in an OE-style alternator. But that’s only the beginning.
First of all, the MSD alternator incorporates a unique front case end and fan assembly that looks more like a three-spoke billet wheel than an alternator. For custom engine installations, you don’t need to do a thing except maybe polish the case because it’s already “customized” for you. It is a very cool-looking alternator, especially compared with rough-cast OE models.
The new thinking that has gone into the APS alternator is first one of fitment. Its round design allows you to position the alternator by rotating the mounting tabs for the mounting brackets. Called the Slide-Loc mounting system, this unique arrangement makes the alternator extremely simple to mount. The slide mounting tabs bolt easily into position around the alternator housing, and you can select the bracket kit that fits your application. The alternator is a universal design to fit any engine: Chevys, Fords, various GMs and Chryslers. MSD currently has fitment applications for all popular engine offerings and more replacement applications are on the way. For those of you who wish to custom mount the alternator, this design will make your mounting challenge virtually nonexistent. The brackets themselves are CNC-machined from billet aluminum for a strong, secure mounting arrangement, and the mounts look every bit as good as the alternator itself.
Since this alternator design fits any engine, once you choose the mount that best fits your application, about all that’s necessary is for you to decide what type of output you need. MSD presently provides three choices, depending upon the load imposed on the alternator. You can select from a 105-, 130- and 160-amp output. This will provide the power for just about everything you need, including a serious high-amp-demand stereo system. Next, you’ll need to decide whether you wish for a plug-in or a one-wire hookup. Since the output and hookup arrangements are the only variables, the part numbers to choose from are as follows:
The final step is to choose the proper pulley for your alternator to fit your existing belt arrangement and type. If you are starting from scratch, your choices are a single-groove V-belt, a dual-groove V-belt or the new, popular six-rib serpentine belt. Each pulley is designed to produce about a 3:1 ratio (with the crank pulley), thus eliminating the need to purchase an aftermarket billet pulley. All the needs of rodders have been thought of, making it possible to have high-amp capability, beautiful good looks and a simple hookup.
Instead of an unattractive OE housing in the rear, the MSD unit looks as if it was custom machined from billet, which in fact, it has been. Even more important than the good looks that this “custom” alternator provides is the amount of engineering and development that went into testing several different materials before MSD’s engineers decided on one for its parts and winding. They also developed a dual NTN-bearing system to withstand more than 20,000 rpm! Even though our engines are not yet turning the rpm of a Formula 1 engine (19,000 rpm), whatever excessive axial loads they do subject this alternator to are minor compared with its capability. This breakthrough in alternator technology also incorporates a new surface-mounting feature that is designed to isolate and protect the regulator against voltage spikes, greatly improving its reliability when compared with even a high-amp OE alternator. MSD has accomplished this thanks to a special rectifier and 50-amp diodes, which control charging and high current loads better. The stator and rotor are also of an advanced design, as are the new MSD Tough Wire windings, which are capable of handling higher current and providing greater heat protection.
Obviously, all this did not come by accident. Because MSD deals directly with so many high-performance tuners, the flow of information has been tremendous. The company understood what was needed and set out to engineer the solutions. We’ve come to expect the engineering that MSD is known for, but when you get that level of reliability combined with the custom good looks of the Advanced Power System alternator, it easy to see that MSD has once again read the market and filled the gaps that have existed for so long.