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Old Aug 17, 2015 | 11:10 PM
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Default Mini Starter question

I'm interested in replacing my stock starter with a new mini 'reduction' starter in an attempt to crank my 11:1 compression motor, bringing her to life a bit quicker.....

I've done a search here but can't find anything that answers, so I am asking those that have successfully done this.
What Make and Model Number they installed and recommend.

I've been looking at the Hitachi 'Enforcer' Super Lite PSL 100, but before I pull the trigger....

Thanks,
RK
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Old Aug 17, 2015 | 11:33 PM
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It's up to you, but is your stock starter broken or is not working properly?
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Old Aug 17, 2015 | 11:52 PM
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Originally Posted by bluestreak63
It's up to you, but is your stock starter broken or is not working properly?
No, I'd say it's working OK.....just slow cranking the high compression engine.

On a very minor note...not that these get changed out frequently, but I'm also getting older and weaker, so I am thinking about the difference in weight and ease of installation, should I have a starter failure in the future.

Not certain I'm doing yet, just asking for recommendations,
RK
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Old Aug 18, 2015 | 01:39 AM
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FWIW, I've had nothing but good luck with Tilton starters, they aint cheap but have lifetime no questions asked warranty that I never had to use.
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Old Aug 18, 2015 | 07:19 AM
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If a stock starter can't start that engine you have other problems
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Old Aug 18, 2015 | 08:35 AM
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Originally Posted by Nowhere Man
If a stock starter can't start that engine you have other problems


Either your starter has internal drag, or something else is wrong.

Chev did make a hi torque starter that is 3/4" longer than the usual unit.
It can be identified by a 3/4" long copper spacer between the solenoid terminal and the starter winding terminal. They were used on big blocks,a nd maybe some other applications.

The ONLY reason I used a mini starter is because of the headers, it was a lot easier to install.

Doug
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Old Aug 18, 2015 | 08:56 AM
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Be careful with the longer Chevy starter as it may not fit if you have stock 2 1/2" exhaust pipes. That said I have a stupid little starter because some idiot thought my car needed an 11" flywheel. The PO gave me the stock bell housing so next up, get rid of the mini starter.

I understand your situation is different and with that in mind get the Tilton and never worry again. As a Tilton endorsement we vintage race and someone asked the other day if I wanted to use a Tilton clutch and I said other than it's not legal why would I do it? He responded that no scatter shield required as according to a company rep. one of their clutch packs has NEVER exploded to the companies knowledge. And that includes NASCAR, so you save nearly 40 lbs. I'm sure a few of them have but that's a pretty good record. I'm still not using one but impressive.

Steve
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Old Aug 18, 2015 | 12:52 PM
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Seems that your slow cranking of the starter is just a symthmn of not getting enough voltage to the starter. First off I would recharge your battery and load test it after the recharge. Second I would clean your battery cables ends. If the cables are small gauge ( 6 gauge) I would consider replacing with a thicker gauge copper welding cable ( 2/0) with the proper copper ends and terminals.
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Old Aug 18, 2015 | 01:08 PM
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Trimming that is too far advanced can cause slow, jerky cranking.
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Old Aug 18, 2015 | 06:08 PM
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EVERY GM car that I own---------------EXCEPT my 455 Cutlass-------------------has a GM Delco style hi-torque starter, and they all do a great job.
My 76 Cutlass is a FACTORY 5sp car (I ordered it new), but now has a W30 spec .040 over 455. I installed a mini starter from Hi-torque on it and have had ZERO issues with it. And a plus is the much lighter weight of the mini starter!
http://www.hitorque.com/
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Old Aug 18, 2015 | 09:50 PM
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I've run the basic Summit mini starter for almost 20 years now on my 540/555. It's adjustable to clear headers etc. It's a nippondenso style which is very nice.

Just looked...seems they have Hitachi style...which is OK too...I'm just biased to the Nippondenso design.

Here's one at jegs.

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS+Performan...10080/10002/-1


Understand these are gear reduction starters..so they turn a little slower...but with higher torque.

As mentioned...a good GM starter will start just about anything if you can pull enough amperage through the cables...but the light ones are awful nice too.


JIM
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Old Aug 18, 2015 | 11:59 PM
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62 340 HP 11.25 : 1 compression starts every time with the original starter which was rebuilt before I got the car 24 years ago.
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Old Aug 19, 2015 | 08:08 AM
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Lying on the garage floor trying to bench that big @ss heavy GM starter in place with one hand and trying to get a bolt started with the other makes you want a mini starter real quick. They are light, smaller, better torque and they just sound cool. I will NEVER mess with a GM starter again. I am hooked.
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