Heat resistant starter for C6 ZO6?
 

Any recommendations on a high perf/heat soak resistant starter for my 2008 ZO6?

Just got home from a HPDE and my starter seems to have developed a heat soak issue. Does not want to turn the motor over when the car is hot (25 minute track sessions). Turns over fine if I shut off the engine and don't attempt to start until my run group goes again (about 75 minutes of cool down), but a restart soon after a session is just greeted with protest and it tries to drain my battery. It could have a lot to do with the fact my ZO6 is a 2008 and therefore (original) starter is 8 years old, but even if it's an age-related issue, I'd like to upgrade when I replace it. Car has 28K miles because it's just a weekend warrior. Thanks in advance!

If you don't have American racing headers, the Msd is a good starter

I have Kooks. Do you know the model/part# that fits? I saw your post, did a quick search, and it seems there is mixed feedback as far as which MSD model fits.

Lingenfelter sells a thermal starter blanket. Pricey, but may solve your problem.

I used the MSD-5096 on my 2009 C6Z06 with Hinson headers. The starter resolved my no-start issue between track sessions. Could have been something else (wiring, connection...) changed the starter and it has worked great since.

Was so annoyed that I ordered the cheaper DEI as soon as I got home yesterday. :lol:

Thanks a ton. Was wanting someone to confirm a specific model number that is proven to fit our cars. :thumbs:

The starter in my 08 gave up the ghost last year at a track event. It literally fell apart from years of track usage and high heat. I am not sure you will find a better starter since they do seem to take a lot of abuse and 7 years of hard use, high heat (much higher than on the street) indicates they do survive. I would just replace with a stock starter. If you get another 8 years out of the replacement that may be longer than you keep the car.

Bill

I have the Kooks 2" headers and no problems with heat soak on the starter.

Then again, they're also Jet-Hot ceramic coated AND wrapped with DEI titanium exhaust wrap...

I bought a starter insulation shield from DEI as well, but I haven't needed to install it yet.

Check your connections to make sure they are clean and tight, my C5 was acting a little goofy and I tightened my connections at the battery 6 months ago and it hasn't skipped a beat.

Yeah, my Kooks are "naked". I think it's also an issue with the starter getting old.

I just picked up a new starter a couple hours ago and I have the DEI blanket ready and waiting for it.

Yea, probably.

It's crazy how much of a difference the wrap and coating make, especially because Jet-Hot does the inside of the headers.

Battery cables are one good. First thing I checked when it started acting up.

I even swapped batteries Saturday night before returning to the track on Sunday just to rule out the battery, and indeed... it's starter heat soak.

LG Super Pro's and GM starters on all most ever single World Challenge car without issue...no wrap no coating.

I have seen some shields out there, but I don't know if I would do a wrap on the starter. I thought someone made a Titanium bolt on shield for the starter?

I think mine was age related. I could put the new starter on there without the shield and see, but I'm lazy and just want to R&R it once, so I'm going to try the DEI piece. It's not exactly a wrap like you might be thinking... like header wrap. They call it a wrap but it's a one piece shield/blanket.


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Yeah I have seen that too, I just worry about it causing the starter to bake itself so to speak. Only reason I brought up the Ti shield. I thought I had a picture of one but I can't find it now.

Yep, my thoughts also. Whatever heat does get in will stay in. It can't cool or breath off, I like a deflector on bottom and open up top to ventilate. I wrapped my headers in that area and had no issues.

I think the majority of heat that hits the starter is radiating from the header. It's not coming from internally. The winding is only generating heat itself when the starter is being used to crank the engine.

That having been said, I installed the new starter last night and I didn't use the DEI shield. It was going to be too much of a PITA to cut, fit, and trim it so that it fit nicely and didn't get in the way of anything. I did put a small piece of heat shielding on top of the solenoid, but left the starter itself bare.

The new starter I installed seems to have a composite casing or at least a coating of composite on it that may be more heat resistant. I don't know if that is why it's a different material. It could just be cheaper. Anyway, new starter is in.


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https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...9a828361ef.jpg

Let us know how it's working!

Not sure how this would work in your application but I have purchased several components from DB Electrical that have all been great. They have starters and alternators for just about anything and prices are LOW! My first purchase was a small high torque starter for the 351W in my stock car. Fords are notorious for heat soak and this starter spins it like a top with no blanket to protect it. Headers practically touch the starter.

More recently I purchased alternators for my truck and backhoe. Both were in stock and cost less together than either would have from the dealer.

Here is their listing for an 08 Z06.
https://www.dbelectrical.com/product...-06-07-08.html