Advice Needed - Starters
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 9
Likes: 1
From: Brookeville, MD
Advice Needed - Starters
I have a 1980 daily driver and it's time to replace the starter.
I've looked at both OEM and mini starters and I can't make up my mind.
Is one better or more reliable than the other ? Is one more of a pain to install than the other ? Any advice/suggestions/warnings would be greated appreciated. Thanks
I've looked at both OEM and mini starters and I can't make up my mind.
Is one better or more reliable than the other ? Is one more of a pain to install than the other ? Any advice/suggestions/warnings would be greated appreciated. Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If the starter you are pricing is MUCH less costly than what you see in aftermarket books...DON'T BUY IT!! It is likely a cheap "knock off". There are lots of motors, etc. that are made in China/Mexico that LOOK like the real thing and are much less expensive. BUT, they have about half the wire and magnets in them compared to your original. If you go to NAPA [they sell the cheapo stuff too, darn it], tell them you want OEM equivalent parts or "heavy duty" parts with the same configuration as the Corvette design. If you have an all-original car, you may want to consider having your starter rebuilt. Just call some electrical motor repair shops to see if they do that kind of work. It isn't rocket science to rebuild a starter.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 0
From: Salina Kansas
I used the Summit 'staggered' bolt mini starter for mine, works great. Think it was around $200. I went with the staggered bolt because it looks like with shims it mounts more solid than the straight mounting location mini's.
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
Do you have a picture of what you bought?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 923
Likes: 4
From: Austin Tx
go with a mini...Get a Delco or a Bosch..go to Napa or Advance and ask for a starter for a 98 Chevy truck...it will be a mini. Why would you bolt up on of those heavy starters back on there when you don't have to?
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: texas
these are supposed to be good for the money
http://www.csr-performance.com/csr_test_index.html
i put one of these on mine
http://www.gpestarters.com/
http://www.csr-performance.com/csr_test_index.html
i put one of these on mine
http://www.gpestarters.com/
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 924
Likes: 2
From: Kearneysville West Virginia
[QUOTE=kevins716;1563267929]I have a 1980 daily driver and it's time to replace the starter.
Why is it time to replace the starter? Starters are simple and usually only require new brushes or solenoid.
Why is it time to replace the starter? Starters are simple and usually only require new brushes or solenoid.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
mini NOT same as lite
There's a clear but often unrecognised distinction between "mini" starters and "lightweight" starters ... even GM itself makes that very distinction in its hardcopy 2007 GMPP catalog
look up the two GM p/n; compare & contrast:
9000852 is a lightweight starter with permanent magnets and is like what's been OE on production GM vehicles for over a decade. These have a planetary gear reduction that's not obvious unless disassembled. This & similar starters do not have a "clockable" capability. This is like what's on a 98 truck as Gage suggests ... but it's not a "mini" ... that's a misnomer & is confusing. The key to modern starters' wonderful performance is their use of permanent magnets ... as opposed to the field coils in heavy C3-era starters. You can find a good quality starter like the 9000852 for under $100 new.
"lite" 9000852 http://paceperformance.com/images/pr...es/9000852.jpg
12361146 is a mini starter and it's kinda light and looks a lot like a Chrysler starter but has the "clockable" feature that's typical of most mini's. They also have a spur-type gear reduction that's rather obvious. To my knowledge, this type was never OE on any GM production vehicle.
"mini" 12361146 http://paceperformance.com/images/pr...s/12361146.jpg
I prefer starters like the lite 9000852 ... I don't like the other ones.
look up the two GM p/n; compare & contrast:
9000852 is a lightweight starter with permanent magnets and is like what's been OE on production GM vehicles for over a decade. These have a planetary gear reduction that's not obvious unless disassembled. This & similar starters do not have a "clockable" capability. This is like what's on a 98 truck as Gage suggests ... but it's not a "mini" ... that's a misnomer & is confusing. The key to modern starters' wonderful performance is their use of permanent magnets ... as opposed to the field coils in heavy C3-era starters. You can find a good quality starter like the 9000852 for under $100 new.
"lite" 9000852 http://paceperformance.com/images/pr...es/9000852.jpg
12361146 is a mini starter and it's kinda light and looks a lot like a Chrysler starter but has the "clockable" feature that's typical of most mini's. They also have a spur-type gear reduction that's rather obvious. To my knowledge, this type was never OE on any GM production vehicle.
"mini" 12361146 http://paceperformance.com/images/pr...s/12361146.jpg
I prefer starters like the lite 9000852 ... I don't like the other ones.
Last edited by jackson; Dec 22, 2007 at 04:03 AM.
