My starter needs replacement in my 02 vert.I have Kooks headers.Do I need to just loosen them or must the pass side header be completely removed? Is the stock starter good enough or is there a better one I should get?

 

Depends on the header. Sometimes you have to remove it, sometimes you can do the job just loosening it. The stock starter is fine unless you have some sort of really high compression race engine !

BC

 

I just replaced a starter for a friend with lg headers and there was not a chance in hell I could've gotten my big hands up there with the header in place...

I replaced my starter last year with one from advance auto parts and it has worked great...

 

Thanks for the info.

Are you saying that you had to completely remove the header ?

 

Yup... But to be honest I didn't try just loosening it. We had the car on a lift so getting it completely out of the way wasn't a big deal. Try just loosening it first then pull the header if you have to. I'm betting you'll end up having to remove it... Good luck

 

There's no way I could get mine out without at least unbolting the header and moving it some. I didn't know when I had a couple of bolts in the header holding it up that it was that close. I had to take them all out. Pull it down slightly, install the starter, then put the header back on. (XSPower)

Just a tip I've read on here. Take the outside bolt out first and put it in last. I read where guys broken the block letting the starter hang on the outside hole while taking it off! I'd crap my pants if I did that, especially after reading about it happening to others.

HTH

 

when I have to replace a part that is difficult to get to I try to find one known for reliability. Replaced a Delco with 110,000 mi. with a Delco.

 

Do you have Kooks headers?

 

Did you find one at a good price? If so what store.

 

Looks like he has XSPower Headers...

 

I am lucky as far as buying AC Delco parts were I live. There are 2 or 3 Delco wholesalers within 15 miles of my house. Usually pay about half of retail (Chevy Dealer). Have seen various Chevy dealer parts trucks coming and going from the same store. Some parts are priced very close to some of the Sponsors of this forum though.

 

Anybody tried a MSD starter?

 

LG headers here, and no header had to be removed. no room to remove the outter bolt. I could barely get a wrench on it, let alone remove it.

 

What brand starter did you use. New or rebuilt?

 

I know a guy running a 1300 horsepower purpose built track car with a high torque starter from summit racing with no issues...

Is there a reason why you want something other than stock or a advance, autozone, or napa replacement for oem?

 

How did you get it in?

 

I just want one that can take the extra heat from the headers.The stock one lasted 9 years(82K) so I guess I will stay with the stock unit.
Most of the stores you listed only have rebuilt starters.I like the NAPA one the best but I have no experience with a rebuilt one.

 

I wrapped my starter in heat wrap from jegs before I installed it... I got the idea from a picture patches posted.

EDIT: See these posts:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1569487389-post13.html

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...o-headers.html

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...r-problem.html

I got my replacement starter from advance... Don't remember offhand if it was a remaned unit or not; but I wouldn't hesitate to use one as long as I new the brand...

You could also try rockauto's website... They usually have a pretty decent selection at good prices for stuff like this. If you're going to go OEM get it from Gene at gmpartshouse.com (forum vendor). He's always cheaper than the stealerships and he's awesome to work with.

I have heard that the MSD's hold up to heat a little better but they are usually pretty expensive. I'm assuming you were looking at the 5096 model? I remember looking into that when I replaced mine but decided I couldn't justify the additional expense over something that worked reasonably well anyway. I'm pretty sure it was only the solenoid that failed not the starter, but at the time all the solenoids were on backorder and the vette was a DD. The msd units seem to have come down some; jegs has the 5096 for $199 right now (they were nearly $300 last time I looked). If it were me I'd go with an oem style replacement wrapped in a heat shield but since it's your car its obviously up to you.

If you do install the MSD unit please post up your opinion on fit, quality etc (I understand they are a little smaller and lighter than stock starters). There's not a whole lot of info on them here on the forum. I think I remember reading somewhere that installing the MSD unit involves some shims or spacers or something like that... Don't remember for sure though. It's been a while since I looked into this. Good luck.

 

I have Kooks headers and I installed them myself, since you have to remove the starter to install the headers you can loosen the header and pull the starter out.
Make sure to check the wiring going to the starter for insulation breakdown from heat and replace as required.

 

The starter is in.THANK YOU everyone who posted for your help and input.I went with a rebuilt Bosch starter from O'Rieleys auto. I also used a wrap that was good for 2000* radiant heat.Very tight fit to get the wrap around the starter but it does fit.You must unbolt the header from the head but do not remove it.I had a shop do the install and it took about 2 hrs. The starter wires were in good shap but the O2 sensor wire covering/shield had made contact with the header but did not burn through to the wires.We re-wraped the wires and tieded them out of the way. Car started on first crank. I would not do this job without a lift.

THANKS again for all the help.