Best window motor upgrades ??
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,428
Likes: 2
From: Fairview Heights Illinois
Car: 1986 Irocz
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.25:1
Best window motor upgrades ??
Restoring my 86. Stock window motors are done.
Even new they were always slow like most are.
I would like to upgrade with motors that are not slow.
Suggestions on parts and sources?
TIA
Even new they were always slow like most are.
I would like to upgrade with motors that are not slow.
Suggestions on parts and sources?
TIA
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 20
From: PNW
Car: 91 Black Formula KR
Engine: 305 TPI R69/G92
Transmission: Astro A5-Pro 5.0-McCleod
Axle/Gears: US Gear 3.42 Eaton True Trac
Re: Best window motor upgrades ??
Best bet is buy one with a lifetime warranty...
I know A1 Auto (a sponsor here) sells them with (and possibly without for cheaper)... I bought mine from them...
But be sure to make copies of receipts / photo / scan and keep them electronically cuz stores often clean out their records and if you don't have proof you bought it from them with that warranty, you're SOL...
Rafael
I know A1 Auto (a sponsor here) sells them with (and possibly without for cheaper)... I bought mine from them...
But be sure to make copies of receipts / photo / scan and keep them electronically cuz stores often clean out their records and if you don't have proof you bought it from them with that warranty, you're SOL...
Rafael
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,449
Likes: 7
From: LONDON, KY
Car: Camaro
Engine: Carbed L98
Transmission: TH350
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Best window motor upgrades ??
Check out this thread. New window switch relays that speed up the stock motors.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/inte...relay-kit.html
Should be just what you need.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/inte...relay-kit.html
Should be just what you need.
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,892
Likes: 84
From: Mantua NJ
Car: 1 Owner 1986 TA with a WS6 package
Engine: 5.0 EFI
Transmission: THM700R4
Axle/Gears: 277 Posi Speedo
Re: Best window motor upgrades ??
Check out this thread. New window switch relays that speed up the stock motors.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/inte...relay-kit.html
Should be just what you need.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/inte...relay-kit.html
Should be just what you need.


formula1LE made me a set for my new motors and they do make the windows go much faster than the old slow pokes
Re: Best window motor upgrades ??
Try cleaning the tar that used to be grease out of the window tracks. In extreme cases the grease has turned to a solid that practically has to be chiseled away.
Also helps if the rubber is soft, and lubricated with silicone, so the window can slide without grabbing.
Also helps if the rubber is soft, and lubricated with silicone, so the window can slide without grabbing.
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,428
Likes: 2
From: Fairview Heights Illinois
Car: 1986 Irocz
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.25:1
Re: Best window motor upgrades ??
Tracks are all very clean and lubed.
Getting the relay harness for the switches, but still looking for motors.
Do fourthgen or any other motors interchange with these?
Getting the relay harness for the switches, but still looking for motors.
Do fourthgen or any other motors interchange with these?
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,892
Likes: 84
From: Mantua NJ
Car: 1 Owner 1986 TA with a WS6 package
Engine: 5.0 EFI
Transmission: THM700R4
Axle/Gears: 277 Posi Speedo
Re: Best window motor upgrades ??
Apparently they(GM)motors and regulators are discontinued for our 3rd gens,1A and Classic sell reproduction motors.
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Re: Best window motor upgrades ??
Seem to remember that when I looked in the past, 4th gen motors and regulators are reportedly the same as thirdgen regulators. But I never looked into it far enough to verify.
At any rate, 4th gen regulators and motors are the exact same technology, and equally considered slow. So even if they could be made to work, they wouldn't be any better.
At any rate, 4th gen regulators and motors are the exact same technology, and equally considered slow. So even if they could be made to work, they wouldn't be any better.
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,428
Likes: 2
From: Fairview Heights Illinois
Car: 1986 Irocz
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.25:1
Re: Best window motor upgrades ??
Interesting. I would have thought they would have improved for newer cars. wonder if the gears can be swapped
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 4,353
Likes: 308
From: NJ
Car: 92 Firebird
Engine: 4.8 LR4
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.45 9 Bolt
Re: Best window motor upgrades ??
Clean the tracks, new motors, relays and heavier gauge wire to the motors will make them operate as intended/desired
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,892
Likes: 84
From: Mantua NJ
Car: 1 Owner 1986 TA with a WS6 package
Engine: 5.0 EFI
Transmission: THM700R4
Axle/Gears: 277 Posi Speedo
Re: Best window motor upgrades ??
With the new motors and formula1LE's new harness, your good to go
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,028
Likes: 78
From: Desert
Car: 1991 Z28 Vert
Engine: 383 single plane efi
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 8.8 with 3.73s
Re: Best window motor upgrades ??
If you really abhor electrical projects then paying $70 for those is the way to go but if you can do follow a wiring diagram, cut and splice wires then you can make those yourself for around $10. Here is my thread about it from several years back: https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/elec...-switches.html
I didn't share the night and day difference in speed some other members have claimed. I believe that if your window tracks are clean, the rollers are round and not seized and the motors are new or newer you won't see a big difference between relays and a switch. I believe that the bigger problem lies in the gauge of the power wires going to the window. In stock configuration the power has to travel through 16-20' of wire to get to the power window motor. I believe it's a four gauge from the battery to the starter and then a 10 gauge from the starter to the C100 and then a 10 gauge from the C100 to the fuse box. That's OK so far but at the fuse box to the switch and then the switch to the windows I believe that it's a 14 gauge. The fuse box uses a 30 amp breaker and a 14 gauge can only carry 30 amps for around 4' -- which will only get you to the window switch. To properly use these relays and the stock wiring you would need each relay to be mounted behind each kick panel. Driver's relay behind drivers kick panel, etc. If you put the relays in place of the switch and then still use the stock wiring you are only slightly fixing the issue.
I didn't share the night and day difference in speed some other members have claimed. I believe that if your window tracks are clean, the rollers are round and not seized and the motors are new or newer you won't see a big difference between relays and a switch. I believe that the bigger problem lies in the gauge of the power wires going to the window. In stock configuration the power has to travel through 16-20' of wire to get to the power window motor. I believe it's a four gauge from the battery to the starter and then a 10 gauge from the starter to the C100 and then a 10 gauge from the C100 to the fuse box. That's OK so far but at the fuse box to the switch and then the switch to the windows I believe that it's a 14 gauge. The fuse box uses a 30 amp breaker and a 14 gauge can only carry 30 amps for around 4' -- which will only get you to the window switch. To properly use these relays and the stock wiring you would need each relay to be mounted behind each kick panel. Driver's relay behind drivers kick panel, etc. If you put the relays in place of the switch and then still use the stock wiring you are only slightly fixing the issue.
Last edited by Tibo; Jan 17, 2018 at 05:37 PM.
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 4,353
Likes: 308
From: NJ
Car: 92 Firebird
Engine: 4.8 LR4
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.45 9 Bolt
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,028
Likes: 78
From: Desert
Car: 1991 Z28 Vert
Engine: 383 single plane efi
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 8.8 with 3.73s
Re: Best window motor upgrades ??
Voltage drop is very real in these cars. I made my own switched power source and that sees 0.25-0.5 Volts higher without any load Vs the vehicles stock switched power.
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 4,353
Likes: 308
From: NJ
Car: 92 Firebird
Engine: 4.8 LR4
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.45 9 Bolt
Re: Best window motor upgrades ??
How did you wire in the 10 gauge? Did you find the correct terminals for the switch and window connector or did you just solder in the 10 gauge as close to the switch and connector as you could?
Voltage drop is very real in these cars. I made my own switched power source and that sees 0.25-0.5 Volts higher without any load Vs the vehicles stock switched power.
Voltage drop is very real in these cars. I made my own switched power source and that sees 0.25-0.5 Volts higher without any load Vs the vehicles stock switched power.
Re: Best window motor upgrades ??
It'd be easier to run relays and reduce the load to and from the switches. It'd save on wire, potentially make the switches last longer, etc.
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it made a big difference 