I noticed that the auto parts stores list different part numbers (and prices) for the '83 VIN H, and '84 VIN G Trans Am starters.
What's the difference between the two?...

 

I can't answer your question, but put an LT1 starter in mine this summer and had more room, just easier.

 

The early T-5 cars came with a different nosepiece than the auto ones did; smaller. The auto starter didn't fit in the T-5 BH.

I'm told that later on sometime they started making them all the same. As should have been done in the first place.

AFAIK there's no difference in how they start the car; the same crappy old Stone Age Delco POS direct-drive POS as always.

 

Do yourself a favor and get a LT1 starter.

 

Why's that?...

 

Smaller + better.

 

go to the parts store and have them pull out one of each, one difference will be self-evident.

 

I'm sure the parts store idiots don't have any idea what a LT-1 starter is.
They're gonna ask for a year, make, & model. The guy yesterday didn't even know that a Trans Am is a model of Firebird...

 

Try 96 Vette.

ONE LOOK and you'll never buy that old stoooopid converted 6V WW2 POS our cars came with again. NOT ONLY will the newer starter (the Vette one is a Nippondenso BTW) spin the motor AT LEAST twice as fast on AT MOST half the battery current (meaning your battery will spin the motor for twice as long before it goes dead), BUT ALSO, it weighs less than half as much. Only downside will be, the wiring is slightly different, but it's not so different that it's insurmountable.

 

Thanks for the info. And of course you now have me curious; what's different about the wiring?...

 

The terminals are in different places. You can look up images on The Google or various other all-knowing places on teh Interwebz. The OE cables don't reach easily as-is. They're long enough and all that, just, takes a bit of work.

 

Here is a pic of a starter I chose for my 383 build. It's from a 1996 Corvette, made by Remy. Hope this helps to motivate you in the right direction!
BTW, I'll be making a video soon. Original 3rd Gen starters sound like garbage, direct drive and all that inferior sh*t.

 

Thanks for all the info, guys. Much appreciated...