Which starter is the best
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,351
Likes: 8,162
From: Napa Valley California
Which starter is the best
I'm building the big block in my 73 and looking into which starter is the best.
I've heard that mini starters are the way to go and I'm wondering who makes the best quality and what specs are needed for my big block 496 cu in?
I've heard that mini starters are the way to go and I'm wondering who makes the best quality and what specs are needed for my big block 496 cu in?
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 797
Likes: 156
From: England AR
we've been using ebay starters in our race cars for prolly the last 8 years, they are dam cheap and hold up even to our 16:1 alcohol engine... yeah they are no-name china crap... but they work
what really put the finishing touch was when one of our racing friend went and bought the top-of-the-line Meziere racing starter, almost 600.00... and it crapped out after like the 10th pass and Meziere wouldn't warrant it, they would rebuild it, but not replace it. Sure, it's been run, it's no longer new... but less than two weeks into racing and it craps out? common guys...
so yeah... we've had a few starters last only a few seasons from ebay, but we still have some that are going strong 5+ years later..
my .02 worth
Last edited by naramlee; Aug 15, 2018 at 01:34 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,941
Likes: 281
From: Was New Orleans but swam to Baton Rouge LA
Cruise-In IX Veteran
I just went with a powermaster 9526 XS starter. It is a really nice part. I should know how it works in a month when I fire up the engine.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,351
Likes: 8,162
From: Napa Valley California
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I'm using this one-- but I can't see spending $300 for a starter when I can get 5 of these. And so far, it's spinning a 10.5:1 compression 496 like it's a 5hp Briggs. Zero complaints.
https://www.dbelectrical.com/product...sdr0031-l.html
https://www.dbelectrical.com/product...sdr0031-l.html
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I was wrong mine is only 3.4 HP. I'm not an e-bay person and I would rather spend money on something that can last a lifetime. I've used this one starter on 6 different motors in my vette.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/pwm-9400/overview/
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 797
Likes: 156
From: England AR
Chevy kinda used 168 tooth flywheels and flex plates on Big Blocks. Small blocks got 153 teeth.
I was wrong mine is only 3.4 HP. I'm not an e-bay person and I would rather spend money on something that can last a lifetime. I've used this one starter on 6 different motors in my vette.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/pwm-9400/overview/
I was wrong mine is only 3.4 HP. I'm not an e-bay person and I would rather spend money on something that can last a lifetime. I've used this one starter on 6 different motors in my vette.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/pwm-9400/overview/
Last edited by naramlee; Aug 15, 2018 at 12:29 PM.
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Brett Foote
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 34,032
Likes: 23
From: Pacific N.W. Warshington
Rob McC mini-starters have worked well for me in three hobby cars. They are highly acclaimed in some of the more obscure specialty forums (i.e.: ford FE, Pontiac etc.) but also work well on my corvette.
http://www.robbmcperformance.com/pro...rter_home.html
http://www.robbmcperformance.com/pro...rter_home.html
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,979
Likes: 332
From: Woodinville WA
I'm using this one-- but I can't see spending $300 for a starter when I can get 5 of these. And so far, it's spinning a 10.5:1 compression 496 like it's a 5hp Briggs. Zero complaints.
https://www.dbelectrical.com/product...sdr0031-l.html
https://www.dbelectrical.com/product...sdr0031-l.html
Adam
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Bought a $60 mini starter from Pomona Swap meet around 2000?Been on 3 motors so far so good.
Hard to beat a GM type mini....I like the quietness of the factory high torques but they are just too big and heavy.
When it dies Ill spend 35-40 and have it rebuilt, same as the alternator. Those 2 peices are grossly overpriced new .
Hard to beat a GM type mini....I like the quietness of the factory high torques but they are just too big and heavy.
When it dies Ill spend 35-40 and have it rebuilt, same as the alternator. Those 2 peices are grossly overpriced new .
Last edited by cv67; Aug 15, 2018 at 02:32 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,979
Likes: 332
From: Woodinville WA
Rob McC mini-starters have worked well for me in three hobby cars. They are highly acclaimed in some of the more obscure specialty forums (i.e.: ford FE, Pontiac etc.) but also work well on my corvette.
http://www.robbmcperformance.com/pro...rter_home.html
http://www.robbmcperformance.com/pro...rter_home.html
Wow, that DOES look like a super nice starter (and 8.5 lbs is nice, too).
If I destroy 2 $50 chinese el-cheapos and get sick of replacing them, I might spring for one of these.
Adam
Last edited by NewbVetteGuy; Aug 15, 2018 at 03:50 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 34,032
Likes: 23
From: Pacific N.W. Warshington
I met Rob once and he had worked as a designer/engineer at some other aftermarket manufacturer(s) that were bought out. I believe he personally is involved in the manufacture of these ministarters.
Last edited by jasper711; Aug 15, 2018 at 04:14 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,941
Likes: 281
From: Was New Orleans but swam to Baton Rouge LA
Cruise-In IX Veteran
Rob McC mini-starters have worked well for me in three hobby cars. They are highly acclaimed in some of the more obscure specialty forums (i.e.: ford FE, Pontiac etc.) but also work well on my corvette.
http://www.robbmcperformance.com/pro...rter_home.html
http://www.robbmcperformance.com/pro...rter_home.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,738
Likes: 644
From: Lincoln, CA
I'm using this one-- but I can't see spending $300 for a starter when I can get 5 of these. And so far, it's spinning a 10.5:1 compression 496 like it's a 5hp Briggs. Zero complaints.
https://www.dbelectrical.com/product...sdr0031-l.html
https://www.dbelectrical.com/product...sdr0031-l.html
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,351
Likes: 8,162
From: Napa Valley California
Chevy kinda used 168 tooth flywheels and flex plates on Big Blocks. Small blocks got 153 teeth.
I was wrong mine is only 3.4 HP. I'm not an e-bay person and I would rather spend money on something that can last a lifetime. I've used this one starter on 6 different motors in my vette.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/pwm-9400/overview/
I was wrong mine is only 3.4 HP. I'm not an e-bay person and I would rather spend money on something that can last a lifetime. I've used this one starter on 6 different motors in my vette.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/pwm-9400/overview/
I didn't know they built starters that could be used on 153 or 168 tooth flywheels.
Thanks