Mini Starter With Headers?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 583
Likes: 0
From: Maple Grove Minnesota
Mini Starter With Headers?
I put my headers on yesterday and found the starter is too big as the motor hits the tubes and I’m unable to get the staggered bolt in. There’s no way to line up the holes. So it looks like I’ll need a mini starter.
I see they make them in OEM style with the motor on the bottom and also on the top with the solenoid on the bottom.
Does it matter which one you get?
It seams with the motor on top there may be fit issues too?
Has anyone encountered problems with either style?
Is one brand better then the other?
Just how much smaller is a Mini compared to OEM?
I see they make them in OEM style with the motor on the bottom and also on the top with the solenoid on the bottom.
Does it matter which one you get?
It seams with the motor on top there may be fit issues too?
Has anyone encountered problems with either style?
Is one brand better then the other?
Just how much smaller is a Mini compared to OEM?
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
I assume you have an early C4,
I bought the newer Corvette mini starter for my 85, you can get one at Autozone, lifetime warranty,
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...into-85-a.html
I bought the newer Corvette mini starter for my 85, you can get one at Autozone, lifetime warranty,
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...into-85-a.html
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,159
Likes: 31
From: Orange Park Florida
early c4
did you put tose headers on a early C4?? i am getting ready to install a set of long tube ceramic coated hooker headers on my 1987 c4. and was wondering about difficulty thanks gary. 
I put my headers on yesterday and found the starter is too big as the motor hits the tubes and I’m unable to get the staggered bolt in. There’s no way to line up the holes. So it looks like I’ll need a mini starter.
I see they make them in OEM style with the motor on the bottom and also on the top with the solenoid on the bottom.
Does it matter which one you get?
It seams with the motor on top there may be fit issues too?
Has anyone encountered problems with either style?
Is one brand better then the other?
Just how much smaller is a Mini compared to OEM?
I see they make them in OEM style with the motor on the bottom and also on the top with the solenoid on the bottom.
Does it matter which one you get?
It seams with the motor on top there may be fit issues too?
Has anyone encountered problems with either style?
Is one brand better then the other?
Just how much smaller is a Mini compared to OEM?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,834
Likes: 337
From: Database Error Indiana
I assume you have an early C4,
I bought the newer Corvette mini starter for my 85, you can get one at Autozone, lifetime warranty,
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...into-85-a.html
I bought the newer Corvette mini starter for my 85, you can get one at Autozone, lifetime warranty,
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...into-85-a.html
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 583
Likes: 0
From: Maple Grove Minnesota
It is an 89 and did have a mini on it until I put the 400 in and had to go to a staggered bolt starter. I did keep the starter from the L98 but for the life of me I'm unable to find it.
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Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,660
Likes: 22
The mini I got states on the label that it'll turn over some outrageous high comp engine...like diesels.
My engine is bigger and comp is 10.5:1 and that lil mini spins it like a top...
way mo-betta than the boat anchor delco ever did.
BUT
it sounds like a dodge 4 cyl turning over....
The mini is probably 40% less weight, and about that much smaller too. I had a similar issue with the fat delco unable to come out unless I loosened the collector and pushed it over so the starter could come out...PITA
No more ! the mini will go in/out...with one hand !
My engine is bigger and comp is 10.5:1 and that lil mini spins it like a top...
way mo-betta than the boat anchor delco ever did.BUT
it sounds like a dodge 4 cyl turning over....
The mini is probably 40% less weight, and about that much smaller too. I had a similar issue with the fat delco unable to come out unless I loosened the collector and pushed it over so the starter could come out...PITA
No more ! the mini will go in/out...with one hand !
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,963
Likes: 337
From: Adelaide South Australia
I have just put my new mini starter in on the weekend, like cuisinartvette said they are "clockable" so i set mine over towards the engine block to get it as far away as possible from the hedman headers, here is a comparison photo,
the hard part is getting the wiring where you want it, I put my wiring under the starter and came up the block side, you maybe could try hanging the solenoid upside down (i didnt think of that !) I also put heat sleeve over the wiring and heat wrap on the 3 pipes near the starter,
its hard to get a good photo, but here's one,
the hard part is getting the wiring where you want it, I put my wiring under the starter and came up the block side, you maybe could try hanging the solenoid upside down (i didnt think of that !) I also put heat sleeve over the wiring and heat wrap on the 3 pipes near the starter,
its hard to get a good photo, but here's one,
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 583
Likes: 0
From: Maple Grove Minnesota
Thanks for all the replies. I don’t see any problem fitting a mini with the headers.
I literally had the rest the starter on the header and us a floor jack to lift on the collector and lift from the top at the same time to get the starter in place to get one bolt in. Those darn things are heavy lifting with one hand lying on your back.
Sure wish I could find the one that was on the L98 but than again it wasn't staggered but the new roller 350 soon to go in has bolt holes for either staggered or straight.
I literally had the rest the starter on the header and us a floor jack to lift on the collector and lift from the top at the same time to get the starter in place to get one bolt in. Those darn things are heavy lifting with one hand lying on your back.
Sure wish I could find the one that was on the L98 but than again it wasn't staggered but the new roller 350 soon to go in has bolt holes for either staggered or straight.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
So what's a good brand recommendation for a mini starter to get for my '87 when I install my Hedman 68448 headers? Powermaster, Tilton, MSD, Summit Racing (in-house brand)?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 583
Likes: 0
From: Maple Grove Minnesota
So with a clockable base the motor can rotated to be on top or bottom? Is this true with all that are clockable? I’m concerned if the motor is on top like most I’m seeing I’ll still have fit issues with the headers.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 583
Likes: 0
From: Maple Grove Minnesota
I have just put my new mini starter in on the weekend, like cuisinartvette said they are "clockable" so i set mine over towards the engine block to get it as far away as possible from the hedman headers, here is a comparison photo,
the hard part is getting the wiring where you want it, I put my wiring under the starter and came up the block side, you maybe could try hanging the solenoid upside down (i didnt think of that !) I also put heat sleeve over the wiring and heat wrap on the 3 pipes near the starter,
its hard to get a good photo, but here's one,
the hard part is getting the wiring where you want it, I put my wiring under the starter and came up the block side, you maybe could try hanging the solenoid upside down (i didnt think of that !) I also put heat sleeve over the wiring and heat wrap on the 3 pipes near the starter,
its hard to get a good photo, but here's one,
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,963
Likes: 337
From: Adelaide South Australia
go onto summit and type in "mini starter" , they have a lot of similiar ones at a good price.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Thanks for all the replies. I don’t see any problem fitting a mini with the headers.
I literally had the rest the starter on the header and us a floor jack to lift on the collector and lift from the top at the same time to get the starter in place to get one bolt in. Those darn things are heavy lifting with one hand lying on your back.
Sure wish I could find the one that was on the L98 but than again it wasn't staggered but the new roller 350 soon to go in has bolt holes for either staggered or straight.
I literally had the rest the starter on the header and us a floor jack to lift on the collector and lift from the top at the same time to get the starter in place to get one bolt in. Those darn things are heavy lifting with one hand lying on your back.
Sure wish I could find the one that was on the L98 but than again it wasn't staggered but the new roller 350 soon to go in has bolt holes for either staggered or straight.
