Have got a few starter problems with my 85 and probably need to change the starter. The problem is that occasionally it grates the starter and flywheel teeth when I try to start it . Sometimes it grates them on several tries before it finally kicks in correctly. I was wondering, since I may have to change it, why not buy one of the mini starters like they use on drag cars. Anybody with any experience with those? Are starters easy to install on Vettes?

 

I have had good luck with the mini starters when I was having issues with stock starters on different vehicles in the past.

 

GM changed to a mini-starter design beginning with the 88 L98. It should be a direct bolt in and will not need any shimming to get proper clearances. You will have to use a 88-later positive battery cable and you may have to extend the small wires to the solenoid.

It will cost less to simply replace your starter with a correct one. It sounds like the solenoid is going out and it may need nothing more than that piece which is easily replaceable.

With the 88 and later starter, you won't have a core to return and that could make the overall cost close to an aftermarket starter.

For an aftermarket mini-starter, I would avoid the PowerMaster starter. Go with Tilton or CSR

 

I put a mini on my 85 .It bolted right up ,no problem with the wires.It is alot lighter and is farther away from the exhaust.Can't go wrong with a good mini.

 

I installed a NAPA 1988 Corvette starter on my 86'. As the others mentioned, it does prefer a longer positive battery cable (which I eventually installed), but I was able to pull all (and I do mean all) of the slack out of the original cable and make it work.

I installed a ministarter because I put long tube headers on the car. If you do not have headers, then I see no need to switch to a ministarter. The old style starter is much cheaper and very strong and reliable, it just is too big if you have long tube headers. The 1988+ NAPA starter is about $200 without a core.

A side note - I origally installed a generic ministarter. I never could get it shimmed right and it was never right from the day I installed it. I then installed a NAPA starter which did not require shimming, but the bendix would not retract fast enough and it would grind AFTER the engine fired. I took it back and got a second NAPA starter. The second NAPA starter worked fine at first, but seemed to spin slow and over time got worse and worse. After about 18 months, I took it back and they bench tested it next to a new one and the difference was dramatic. They replaced it free of charge (the first replacement was also free) and the third (and current) starter has been very good, and spins the motor at full speed wether the motor is hot or cold.

 

I would get one, they came stock in later 80's cars. Plus if you do headers or anything you need one anny I think.

 

I just used a fbody LT1 starter for my L98/383 build. Worked great. Started up my 11 to 1 motor no problem

Will work just fine i believe as long as youhave a 153 tooth flex plate

 

BINGO, a Winna. It is the way to solve all your starter problems. So good I put one on my son's 71 vert.