Anyone ever install the MSD starter?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
I never had the OEM starter fail. Why purchase something that I don't need? OEM never needs or needed a shim.
Why do you think you need an aftermarket starter????
BC
Why do you think you need an aftermarket starter????
BC
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Ive owned a 98, 2002 ZO6, 06 and just purchased a 2011 Grand sport. I worked on hundreds of C5 and numerous C6s. Out of all of those cars and repairs,,, I can honestly say that I have never had the ACTUAL starter fail. I will say that the OEM SOLENOIDS are KNOWN problem areas and are the prime source of C5 starter issues.
The good part,, the solenoid is easily replaceable for approx $50 and solves almost all of the starter issues.
I'm NOT saying that GM LS1/6 starters don't fail. Ive had one apart and I was very impressed with the way it was built compared to older Gen I & 2 starters.
All I'm saying is I have never seen the actual starter and its internal components (other than the solenoid) fail. Numerous C5 people who have posted with starter issues have also been directed to inspect the starter solenoid and solenoid wiring and have found corroded / burnt / loose terminals only to have to clean and tighten to drive on..
If the aftermarket starter is significantly more than the OEM, or your running some monster engine with 13:1 compression and the OEM will not turn it over, I see ZERO reason for spending more money for a starter. One of my friends has a 2000 Vert with 850 HP duel turbo STS system. He runs an OEM starter without issue.
BC
The good part,, the solenoid is easily replaceable for approx $50 and solves almost all of the starter issues.
I'm NOT saying that GM LS1/6 starters don't fail. Ive had one apart and I was very impressed with the way it was built compared to older Gen I & 2 starters.
All I'm saying is I have never seen the actual starter and its internal components (other than the solenoid) fail. Numerous C5 people who have posted with starter issues have also been directed to inspect the starter solenoid and solenoid wiring and have found corroded / burnt / loose terminals only to have to clean and tighten to drive on..
If the aftermarket starter is significantly more than the OEM, or your running some monster engine with 13:1 compression and the OEM will not turn it over, I see ZERO reason for spending more money for a starter. One of my friends has a 2000 Vert with 850 HP duel turbo STS system. He runs an OEM starter without issue.
BC
Last edited by Bill Curlee; Jan 6, 2011 at 12:21 AM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,574
Likes: 2
From: Orlando FL
I went with the MSD one because I have LT's. I drove from CA to AL and I'm guessing the heat over the 4 days might have caused my starter issues.
The MSD one is supposedly better at handling heat and was a little smaller.
The MSD one is supposedly better at handling heat and was a little smaller.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
I also have LT Headers. I installed my headers on the 02 ZO6 in 04. I drove the ZO6 trouble free (with the OEM starter and no heat shield) up till 2008. Some time in 08, I started to have NO START issues. Found out all I had to do was bump the starter/solenoid with a long metal rod (snaked down thru the header) and the car would start every time. Instead of spending cash on a starter, I troubleshot the issue and found out that the solenoid was the problem. I spent $50 on a new solenoid and while I had my engine apart for a heads cam FAST90 install, I changed the solenoid. That solved my issues 100%
I do NOT think header heat had any bearing on your issue. That being said, I did build my own starter heat shield just because i had access to the material to do so. It was a simple double sided foil covered Kevlar cut to fit and wired in place with stainless wire. Nothing fancy. I also made a cover for the AC compressor.
The three years that I drove the car without a heat shield never gave me an issue.
BC
I do NOT think header heat had any bearing on your issue. That being said, I did build my own starter heat shield just because i had access to the material to do so. It was a simple double sided foil covered Kevlar cut to fit and wired in place with stainless wire. Nothing fancy. I also made a cover for the AC compressor.
The three years that I drove the car without a heat shield never gave me an issue.
BC
