Guys,

The starter on my '89 Formula 305 TPI M5 busted. It wasn't the stock starter, and was fairly thin, and I had no trouble removing it. But I can't get the new one on. It's an AC Delco from the dealer, and it's way too big to get past the exhaust manifold pipe.

I can't find the stock part number anywhere online, and the dealer is closed today. When I look up starters on CarParts.com, the AC Delco part number on my new starter shows as being for an automatic transmission. It doesn't list one for a manual transmission.

I could always just get one like the one I took off, except it was $350. It's an AC Delco, but I don't know why it's so expensive.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a thin starter that will work in the $100-$150 range?

Thanks!

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1989 Formula WS6 M5
SLP cold air induction, K&N filter, TPIS modified MAF, TPIS 52mm TB w/ airfoil, Random Tech cats, SLP cat-back, TPIS AFPR, March underdrive pulley, Accel 300+ coil & 8.8mm wires, Bosch Platinum+4 plugs, Hypertech 160°F t-stat & fan switch, Hypertech Streetrunner chip, Centerforce dual-friction clutch, PST front suspension kit, PowerStop cross-drilled rotors, Porterfield Carbon Kevlar pads, Russell SS brake lines, Firehawk SZ50 EP P255/50ZR16.

G-Tech Pro measurements:
0-60 mph: 6.0 sec
212 RWHP

1/8 mile results: 9.74 sec @ 74.5 mph; 0-60 ft @ 2.35 sec; +0.46 reaction

2001 Trans Am WS6 A4
Stock

More info at website:
www.fbody.com/members/stevenmh

 

i'd try napa or any loacl "big name" parts store. if that fails try auto zone or any of the discount places. trouble i see people on here with auto zone eletric parts is they fail after a while and they're replacing them again. doesn't cost them anything but you still have to change them. good chance the ac delco starter was new why it cost so much. GMPP makes several small high torque starters that should work for you car, but they cost a good bit.

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ICON Motorsports
1st & 3rd

 

If you're mini starter was an AC Delco then it probably was from a Corvette. These ones are very expensive when purchased new. That big clunky AC Delco replacment was the OEM part for both manual and auto cars.

Summit and Jegs now both sell Protorque mini starters that look identical to the Corvette starters (at least to me). The good news is both places sell them for around $147 for the SB Chevy. Check it out.

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89 Formula 350, Accel Tri-Ys, 3" SLP, chip, Jacobs, SLP cold air, Probuilt tranny, Vigilante, 3.27s, Spohn torque arm & LCAs w/brackets, GW Subs

 

I have the Corvette starter on my 5-speed TPI 355. I love it, especially since my engine is high compression. It turns it over really well. It cost me 215$ from Jim Pace performance. It is a much more durable and reliable starter then many other "high torque" and "mini" starters. The other mini gm starter (the one that is like 50$ less) is going to wear out alot faster because it is not as tolerant of heat buildup.