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Tech / General EngineIs your car making a strange sound or won't start? Thinking of adding power with a new combination? Need other technical information or engine specific advice? Don't see another board for your problem? Post it here!
Looking to Update the Starter Motor on my 1985 Trans Am 305 H 5.0 Liter Engine with a Lighter Low Profile Starter Motor. The AC Delco is so Big, Heavy and Clunky, would like to update to a Lighter\Smaller one that is a Direct Bolt-On with No Modification. I thought there was a thread on this already, but could not find it. During the Winter is a good time to research for updates in the spring.
Any Good Brands to Recommend for a Starter Motor for my TA??
Thanks
Last edited by 1985blktransam; Dec 11, 2019 at 11:44 AM.
Have one on my daily and it's a BEAST. Also 100% US made and 100% rebuildable. They sell bendix drives and solenoids, etc. This is real race-car stuff though and most people aren't wanting to spend $600 on a starter. But I personally like my car to be that kind of reliable so...... also that's about what a dealer starter costs on many newer cars.....
This is as "low quality" as I would go. Have used one with good results as have other members:
Have one on my daily and it's a BEAST. Also 100% US made and 100% rebuildable. They sell bendix drives and solenoids, etc. This is real race-car stuff though and most people aren't wanting to spend $600 on a starter. But I personally like my car to be that kind of reliable so...... also that's about what a dealer starter costs on many newer cars.....
This is as "low quality" as I would go. Have used one with good results as have other members:
Jeeze, the last time I priced a reman LT1 starter with a lifetime warranty they were right at $100. Guess it's been a while... At current prices that second one you posted isn't too hard to swallow.
Jeeze, the last time I priced a reman LT1 starter with a lifetime warranty they were right at $100. Guess it's been a while... At current prices that second one you posted isn't too hard to swallow.
Eh - Mexico reman? Not worth the entry price IMO. I've seen way too many parts store cheap reman alternators and starters fail. I am a shop owner and I won't use any of them. I prefer reman's from the dealership or from the OE manufacturer like Denso, or Bosch. But in the case of the SBC there are good "new" aftermarket options.
Eh - Mexico reman? Not worth the entry price IMO. I've seen way too many parts store cheap reman alternators and starters fail. I am a shop owner and I won't use any of them. I prefer reman's from the dealership or from the OE manufacturer like Denso, or Bosch. But in the case of the SBC there are good "new" aftermarket options.
GD
The starter in my 84 is an Advance Auto reman for a 1995 K3500 with 454 we bought in 2001? While it's not used often, we've not had any issue with it. It's 168t though, 1976 C10 engine. But then I haven't had to put a starter on anything in years. *knocks on wood*
With all due respect - and I'm happy to hear of the successes being posted - these are anecdotal examples of singular successes. I can report dozens of failures from the parts store chain components. Just have a look at my tear down posts on Powermaster products, and AC Delco alternators. The failure rate of the chain store reman electrical products is VERY high. Unfortunately the stuff just isn't built with quality parts and skilled labor. It's chinese components done by largely unskilled labor in a third world country that's probably not as clean as your own garage.
GD
Last edited by GeneralDisorder; Dec 12, 2019 at 09:46 AM.
With all due respect - and I'm happy to hear of the successes being posted - these are anecdotal examples of singular successes. I can report dozens of failures from the parts store chain components. Just have a look at my tear down posts on Powermaster products, and AC Delco alternators. The failure rate of the chain store reman electrical products is VERY high. Unfortunately the stuff just is built with quality parts and skilled labor. It's chinese components done by largely unskilled labor in a third world country that's probably not as clean as your own garage.
GD
Oh I get that. I've had my share of them too. 4 alternators before I finally got a good one for my 1993 Cavaier Z24 was one of my first experiences. The brand AA used to sell was ok. When I worked there you'd get the odd alternator back but I don't remember having many starter issues.
I generally get my alternators from Napa now and I've been pleased with how they've performed.
But running a shop I'm sure you see higher turnover rates than I can imagine now and trust your word on it.
I've particularly seen a problem with reman and new chinese products for older vehicles like our 3rd gen's.... this is because of the lack of quality components used to rebuild them. Things like brushes, solenoids, and voltage regulators for these old designs are not on major manufacturers radar anymore because the margins are insignificant and the volume is tiny. That leaves small Chinese manufacturers to make small volumes of these components at a tiny profit margin - something has to give - and that something is quality of raw materials, quality of design and implementation, quality of labor, etc. The end result is usually frustration on the part of the consumer.
