High Compression Starters
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
High Compression Starters
Hi,
Just wanted some opinions on the best brand our place for a new starter.
I have a 1978 with a 383 stroker, headers and side pipes. It's hard to crank at times when I've been driving it. I've been told that I have a cheap Autozone type starter in there and it acts as a heat sink being located directly above the pipes.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Den
Just wanted some opinions on the best brand our place for a new starter.
I have a 1978 with a 383 stroker, headers and side pipes. It's hard to crank at times when I've been driving it. I've been told that I have a cheap Autozone type starter in there and it acts as a heat sink being located directly above the pipes.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Den
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,360
Likes: 382
From: Plano TX
Late model PMGR starter. Don't know if you have the in-line or staggered starter bolts. I have the staggered and used a starter from a '95 Chevy pickup with a 454. Cranks much, much better than the '71 starter and weighs less than half.
Last edited by zwede; Dec 17, 2013 at 06:07 PM.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Will do some more research on it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
Powermaster makes a complete line of ministarters for higher compression engines. I got mine at Summit Racing. It fixed all of my starting problems.
Last edited by Street Rat; Dec 18, 2013 at 09:51 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,590
Likes: 28
From: Tallmadge Ohio
C3 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
Oldtimer
I installed a Powermaster in my 77. I to solved my cranking problems. No heat soak, faster cranking and lightweight. Bought mine at Summit also. 
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Pricey but worth it I'm sure.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/pw...te?prefilter=1
I wonder how they compare with Jegs?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,360
Likes: 382
From: Plano TX
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
this is a smart move, however a heavy duty stock starter will handle most everything and should be available at any parts house.....A bad ground will cause any starter to turn slow....many here think 'heat soak' and 99% are wrong in such a diagnosis.....EVERY THING gets hot under the hood....A strong battery, good battery cables, and a HD stock starter is all that's really needed for any compression run on the street including 12-13 compression
I also know that most of the members here believe in high dollar modified 4 and 6 cylinder imports.....not necessary as it might be as simple as a bad negative ground.......which is more often than not
but whatever, its your money....
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Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
a stock
this is a smart move, however a heavy duty stock starter will handle most everything and should be available at any parts house.....A bad ground will cause any starter to turn slow....many here think 'heat soak' and 99% are wrong in such a diagnosis.....EVERY THING gets hot under the hood....A strong battery, good battery cables, and a HD stock starter is all that's really needed for any compression run on the street including 12-13 compression
I also know that most of the members here believe in high dollar modified 4 and 6 cylinder imports.....not necessary as it might be as simple as a bad negative ground.......which is more often than not
but whatever, its your money....
this is a smart move, however a heavy duty stock starter will handle most everything and should be available at any parts house.....A bad ground will cause any starter to turn slow....many here think 'heat soak' and 99% are wrong in such a diagnosis.....EVERY THING gets hot under the hood....A strong battery, good battery cables, and a HD stock starter is all that's really needed for any compression run on the street including 12-13 compression
I also know that most of the members here believe in high dollar modified 4 and 6 cylinder imports.....not necessary as it might be as simple as a bad negative ground.......which is more often than not
but whatever, its your money....
Advanced
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: Waynesboro PA
a stock
this is a smart move, however a heavy duty stock starter will handle most everything and should be available at any parts house.....A bad ground will cause any starter to turn slow....many here think 'heat soak' and 99% are wrong in such a diagnosis.....EVERY THING gets hot under the hood....A strong battery, good battery cables, and a HD stock starter is all that's really needed for any compression run on the street including 12-13 compression
I also know that most of the members here believe in high dollar modified 4 and 6 cylinder imports.....not necessary as it might be as simple as a bad negative ground.......which is more often than not
but whatever, its your money....
this is a smart move, however a heavy duty stock starter will handle most everything and should be available at any parts house.....A bad ground will cause any starter to turn slow....many here think 'heat soak' and 99% are wrong in such a diagnosis.....EVERY THING gets hot under the hood....A strong battery, good battery cables, and a HD stock starter is all that's really needed for any compression run on the street including 12-13 compression
I also know that most of the members here believe in high dollar modified 4 and 6 cylinder imports.....not necessary as it might be as simple as a bad negative ground.......which is more often than not
but whatever, its your money....
The mini starters are only better if you have a space issue like running large tube headers etc.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,454
Likes: 328
From: Indy Indiana
I have had hot start/slow cranking problems about every 3-4 years.. then I know it is time for a brand new battery.. get you the biggest/baddest highest cold cranking amp battery you can find.. that will solve your problem.. and of course have the best ground.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 523
Likes: 4
From: Calgary Alberta
Hi,
Just wanted some opinions on the best brand our place for a new starter.
I have a 1978 with a 383 stroker, headers and side pipes. It's hard to crank at times when I've been driving it. I've been told that I have a cheap Autozone type starter in there and it acts as a heat sink being located directly above the pipes.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Den
Just wanted some opinions on the best brand our place for a new starter.
I have a 1978 with a 383 stroker, headers and side pipes. It's hard to crank at times when I've been driving it. I've been told that I have a cheap Autozone type starter in there and it acts as a heat sink being located directly above the pipes.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Den
I thought it made sense since I was going to replace the engine with a higher compression SBC with headers.
It has been working well with good starting power and no heat soak issues. Plus it is at least 20 pounds lighter.
Yes, it costs more but there have been no issues with fitment or performance up until now. JMHO.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 631
Likes: 104
From: Yardley Pa
a stock
this is a smart move, however a heavy duty stock starter will handle most everything and should be available at any parts house.....A bad ground will cause any starter to turn slow....many here think 'heat soak' and 99% are wrong in such a diagnosis.....EVERY THING gets hot under the hood....A strong battery, good battery cables, and a HD stock starter is all that's really needed for any compression run on the street including 12-13 compression
I also know that most of the members here believe in high dollar modified 4 and 6 cylinder imports.....not necessary as it might be as simple as a bad negative ground.......which is more often than not
but whatever, its your money....
this is a smart move, however a heavy duty stock starter will handle most everything and should be available at any parts house.....A bad ground will cause any starter to turn slow....many here think 'heat soak' and 99% are wrong in such a diagnosis.....EVERY THING gets hot under the hood....A strong battery, good battery cables, and a HD stock starter is all that's really needed for any compression run on the street including 12-13 compression
I also know that most of the members here believe in high dollar modified 4 and 6 cylinder imports.....not necessary as it might be as simple as a bad negative ground.......which is more often than not
but whatever, its your money....
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,338
Likes: 786
From: Redondo Beach, California
General Motors Performance Parts Catalog sells GM mini-starters. They a mini-starter for small blocks and BB's with normal compression ratios. They also sell a mini-starter for 502 and 546 (?) Big Blocks. I have the "normal" ministarter on the ZZ4 and the higher performance ministarter on my 70.
I've lost track of the part numbers, they're in the catalog however. The ministarters are small in name only. They're very powerful, and being much smaller are easier to install.
I've lost track of the part numbers, they're in the catalog however. The ministarters are small in name only. They're very powerful, and being much smaller are easier to install.