Just installed some headers and my starter is suffering from heat soak. Just wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a new starter. I would like to keep it as economical as possible, $125-$135 or less. Any help would be great! Thanks.

 

Insulating the starter should help

 

Hi torque Denso mini one used on '89+ Vettes ( assuming you have 153 tooth flywheel )
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CHEVY...Q5fAccessories
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-C...Q5fAccessories

 

I've tried this, but it is still too close to the y-pipe. I'd say its about 1/4" from the pipe.

 

you can do the mini starter and get more room but if its that tight you'll cook the mini * no life time warranty *

 

I'm not to familiar with starters, so I am unsure if it is a 153 tooth starter.

 

Most mini's have 153/168 holes the starter just moves closer to the block for a 153 flywheel

 

Alright, makes sense to me. I've heard the mini-starters are like 3/4 the size of the stock starters. Hopefully, a mini could give enough clearance. I will probably wrap it after the install too. Just have to figure out which one I want to buy.

 

When you find the starter your looking for I would wrap it in this . The starter blankets are nice but I wanted to wrap the "whole" starter . The only part that isn't covered on mine is touching the flywheel .
13575 - Thermo-Tec Adhesive Backed Heat Barrier






Thermo Tec #893-13575

12'' x 24'' Adhesive Backed Heat Barrier
$17.99 Ships Tomorrow







Aluminized Surface Reflects Over 90% of Radiant Heat Adhesive backed heat barrier protects parts and components from radiant heat. Highly reflective surface is capable of withstanding radiant temperatures in excess of 2000°F. Woven, flexible material can easily be applied to any surface.

 

Yeah the mini is a lot lighter. I have one and it works fine I got it at checker 150 or so out the door does 153/168 tooth flywheel. The links that were posted by vettoz look good and about 50$less then what I paid but I wanted it now had to drive to work the next day . So if you can wait and can find out for sure you have 153 fly I'd get the one off eBay

 

Not to rain on your parade but you don't want the sticky stuff just use the non-sticky stuff and some fire ties.

 

You mean like this=

 

 

Thats exactly like the one I bought looks like. Just have to find a starter now.

 

Stock for yours is 153; only asked because you may have fitted non stock engine or larger flywheel

 

I wrapped my old starter in that reflective tape, and it helped a little, but not nearly enough. I then wired in a remote starter solenoid. No dice.

I then got a junkyard LT1 starter off ebay for $30. Never had another problem out of it.

 

Since most of the LT1 starters on eBay look cheesy, I started looking at the Powermasters. Any chance this one would fit....9600.....? Thanks.

 

By the way, what is the difference between inline and staggered?

 

Inline 153 tooth
Staggered 168 tooth
Aftermarket mini starters usually fit both sizes

Essentially the same Denso unit as the L98 Vette one I listed above.
FWIW ;
I have a 20 yo factory Denso unit on my 12:1 383 with 1 3/4" headers close by and it spins fine under all cond without any heat protection

 

Thanks for the info. You really know your starters.

 

I had a staggered pattern on my truck 170 something tooth fly mini I have on the car is all inline for 153/168 tooth fly most blocks have both pattern mounting holes some don't tho

 

We've got a TCI severe duty--lots of $$!! It's a mini, dual flywheel starter.
No heat soak probs, but with a mini, there is more room for air to circulate around & help keep the heat blowing by. Also, some aftermarket starters have the ability to be rotated to allow for clerance around oil pan, headers, & block.

If heat soak becomes a prob, then I'll get the wrap shown by ronusmcmma.

{Is the staggered pattern for early blocks? Like from the '60s, or a 400ci?}

Good luck..

 

I think the staggered pattern is used with the big fly I have mid-90's block and has bolt hols for both pattern but I think some of the old blocks only had one or the other but I'm Not sure

 

Read my post # 19

Other way around.
Most of the early blocks have all three holes ; majority of later blocks only have two drilled and tapped ( saved GM $$$ )

 

On an "in line starter, the 2 bolt holes are straight across from each other.
On a staggerd starter, 1 bolt is offset from the other.

Sorry, I missed that earlier!

 

Your alright, you answered every other question. By any chance would the Powermaster 9600 work out?

 

A mini in any style is going to give more clearance from heat than a full size starter.Whether spending more $$$ is getting you a "better" starter is up to you

 

It claims it has a built in heat shield. It all depends what goes on with this auction. If it goes up in price, I will probably settle for the Vette starter listed above.

 

IDK--
Never seen one other than in pics.
Word of caution about minis-- IDK how long even the hi-$$ ones will last on a daily driver!!! vetteoz makes a very valid point!!! Lotsa $$ doesn't mean lotsa starts!!!!

Maybe get with vetteoz about the one he's got. I may be talking my Bride into one. That Is A Working Starter!!!

vetteoz,
What did your starter come off? You can say LS2, ZO5, JB500 etc, I don't know what that stuff means.

 

The Denso style in my link above was used by GM on '89+ Vettes
$80 One year warranty
LT1 have same but different looking one

Half the weight of a full size starter;
life much easier when lying on your back under car than trying to support stock starter with two hands and position bolts with your 3rd hand

 

How much smaller are these mini-starters? I am trying to figure out if I need these built in heat shields or not. Also are the ones listed above resistant to heat in any way other than being smaller and not nearly as close to the exhaust? And what the hell does Nippondenso mean?

 

Most minis are close to 1/2 the weight of a stock 3rdgen starter, and a few inches shorter & narrower.
Jegs & Summit have pics, or go to www.summitracing.com , compare the physical differences. I don't know if they give diminsions or not-- been awhile since I been to the site.

 

Nippondenso ;
a top quality Japanese OEM and aftermarket parts supplier

 

Stock early style vs Denso

 

Two things:

1) What makes you think it's a starter heat soak issue?

The reason I ask ... I would have sworn on my life I had the same issue when I installed headers - my starter would start sometimes and not others, with no real reason or rhyme. I replaced starter with a mini only to find I still had the same problem! Turned out to be a $5 Starter Enable Relay all the while - so you might try that (got mine at NAPA).

2) If interested, this is the one I bought - was inexpensive, but I can't tell you about long term - I've only had it installed for 3 weeks - but so far starts everytime, and as any ministarter, has a really high 'cool' factor - just sounds so sweet when cranking. It works with either flywheel, and the starter is repositionable on the base as well. For 1/2 the price of the 'brand names', I had to give it a shot!

 

Well, everything starts great when the car sits and has time to cool down. But once I drive for at least 10 minutes and stop and turn off the car, it wont start. Then I have to wait about 20 minutes for it to cool down, and then the car will start up again. I guess I should do this relay at the same time too.

 

I second the relay. Had the same problem . Here's a link showing the location and what it looks like if that helps. =
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/elec...ble-relay.html

 

Do you just buy a new relay and install it, or do I just clean off all that goo, if I have any on there? I may get a starter and buy this guy too, so then I am positive that it will start.

 

Actually the connecting clips on my relay were gone and it had worked itself lose to the point that it was hit or miss . Seemed as if every time I got in my car the jolt of the door would shake it. Any way All I had to do was zip tie it together and that fixed it. In your case If its not loose as mine was just replace it. Could not hurt.

 

Not sure how in the world you found a lose relay behind the kick panel to be the solution. Quite impressive. But, I think I may check that out tomorrow, and I may just buy a new one anyway. Any chance you have the part number for it?

 

This is the relay I found at Krages/Advanced auto.=
http://shop.oreillyauto.com/productd...umber=14093107

 

Quick test;
Just jumper the two heavy wires at the relay and see if your starter problem still happens when hot

 

Looks like this may have to wait till Monday, keep forgetting Mother's day is tomorrow. Thanks for all the info!

 

Since the powermaster 9600 went for too much, I decided I would go with your recommendation on the starter with the vette one, HERE. From what I've been reading, these things sound different when trying to start. Is this true and what does it sound like? Another thing is, are there any modifications that has to be done to fit the vette starter? Thanks.

 

Alright starter just came in and I plan on either installing it tonight or tomorrow. I ordered the one vetteoz recommended in post #3. I'm not sure if I need shims, as this one didnt come with them. It also didnt come with any directions. Any chance anyone has any directions on how to install this thing? I know I am asking for alot, but believe me, I am very appreciative of this site. Thanks again.

 

Mini starter insstalls the same as oe starter bud

 

Alright, thanks. Got it in.

 

@ ronusmcmma Is this relay used on all 3rd gens.

@ wilkink don't forget to route your wires away from the headers LOL I've blistered wires once or twice lol

 

Ooo, good call. Thanks for the heads up.

 

Got a Problem! Put the new starter in, but when I start it, there is a major screeching noise that comes from the starter area. It sounds like metal on metal, but it does not spark at all. I didnt use any shims, and my guess is that this would be the problem. Any chance anyone would know what the deal is? Im not sure how to tell if it needs shims or not. Again, the car does start, but this definitly doesnt sound good. I started the car and once I heard that noise, I turned it right off and then inspected and gave up for the night. Any help would be great.