Where to buy starter/alt?
 

my 88 gxl has the factory starter, it finally gave out and i need a replacement. also I need a alternator that can keep up with my 500w amp.

i need some advice on where to buy from and what brands to look for in a new starter/alt.

thanks

starter you can get at autozone brand new, or used you can go on the forum.
Alternator, you can pick up a FD one from the 3rd gen for sale section or contact japan2la for a low mileage one.

Or, you can search a little more if you looking for a modded fd alternator that has crazy amps.

500W ~= 40 amps. Since the stock alternator is already pushed to the limit, you want at least 40 amps more, which is 110 amps I think. Dunno what the FD alt puts out but you may need a custom alt from an alternator shop to get so many amps. You may be able to get away with a weaker alternator if you add another battery (or upgrade to a bigger battery) and only crank the amp to full some of the time, not all the time. An audio pro may be able to give you more specific tips. Do a forum search for instructions on installing an FD alternator if you go that route (which I assume means you're getting another battery too).

FD is rated 100 amps

If you get your S4 rebuilt, be sure and have them consider stock pulley rpm. If done with that in mind, not a bad alternative. Myself, got a S4 rebuilt to 120 amps and put a FD in my other Vert. Ultimate conclusion, go with the FD alternator considering the life time warranty from Autozone.

will the FD alternator swap over directly?

Nope.

Your stock pulley (the FD runs a serpentine belt, so you can't use its pulley) must be bored out slightly to fit the larger shaft of the FD alt (@ .035, IIRC).

S5 wiring is a direct "plug-n-play" but S4's require some simple changes.
See post#3 here.

You'd need to pay a machine shop to drill your stock pully to insureIt perfect centric. Not to toot my own horn, but better (and comparative more all in cost efficient) alternative would be to get one of these:

https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-generation-rx-7-1986-1992-parts-194/rotor-embassed-dual-alternator-pully-fd-alternator-874437/

Other options:

https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-generation-specific-1986-1992-17/gm-105-140-amp-alternator-fc-620360/

https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-generation-specific-1986-1992-17/130-amp-taurus-alternator-swap-857100/