I decided it was time to upgrade my starter on my 89 Formula 350. I was tired of the original big *** heavy direct drive starter that would make me wait after an hour of driving due to heat soak. Living in central FL with a lot of traffic and 98 degree heat it was time to get rid of that thing. I knew I wanted a mini style starter, but I did not want to pay big $$ for a good starter from Summit or Jeg’s. Not to mention that if it took a dump, it would be a pain having to ship it back to get it covered under warranty; if there was a warranty. I also did not want to add the start solenoid mod. I drive a GM for a reason and I did not want to add any Ford parts. Besides, real estate is at a premium under the hood even if it’s just a small solenoid. I knew there had to be some other alternative. So here is what I did…..

I researched the boards here at Third Gen and learned the pretty much any starter off a 5.7 liter car will work…4th Gen LT1s, Corvettes, LT4s, etc. It’s amazing the amount of info you can find here if you take the time and look.

I decided to use a starter off s 1992-1996 Corvette GM part # 10455709

I called around and found one for $152.14 new (no core) with a lifetime warranty!

I installed it and it fits perfect! No modifications, no shims, same mounting bolts. However I did have to unclip the positive cable to give me an inch or so more wire due to the shorter length of the starter.

I hit the key and it cranks right over like a champ!

Here’s what I came up with…..

Advantages:

Lighter weight!
Direct fit!
More cranking power!
Draws less amperage on the battery!
Does not drain the battery quickly if by some chance the car does not start right away!
Easier to install and remove!
Cheap!
Lifetime warranty at a parts store that’s 5 min. away!
No need to worry about heat soak!!!!

Disadvantages:

Sounds like a Mopar when starting.


So there it is, take it or leave it. (Actual results may vary)

 

haha you have to get a soundbyte of the mopar starter, seriously i have to hear that before i decide to buy it, i hate dodge. and how much lighter could it be?

Dont
Over
Drive
Gag
Engines.

 

As you can see, there is a big difference in size. The weight is about a 1/3 of the original.

 

Here is where I had to unclip the positive lead so it would reach. This had to be done because of the shorter starter length. I will eventually install a new positive cable that is longer and reinstall it back into this clip, but zip ties work good for now.

 

Here it is all installed.

 

Man that is one small chit, another cheaper suggestion is the T5 starter, it is thinner and the same length, it installs and removes easier, it was 55$ at my local parts house.

 

hmm, thanks, keeping that in mind. I think sofakingdom advocates the LT1 mini-starters (probably this very part).

What on earth does a mopar sound like starting? *huh*. Oh well, one day when my starter finally croaks, i'll jump on board this gravy train.

 

Its a mitsubishi starter, by manufacturer. They are pretty reliable. The only thing I've seen go bad are the contacts and those are not only easily replaceable but cheap if you have a source.

They do sound a little different, its a gear reduction starter so theres a little bit of gear noise and the motor has a different speed.

 

What is a T5 starter?? Thanks

 

And those would work with an automatic 305 engine as well ?

 

omg you posted in 2 forums, no wonder i couldnt find my post in the other one. lol pic a forum and stick with it. where did you get one of those? the dealership or a place like advance auto?

 

Would this starter work on a 1991 RS camaro?

 

I used one from a '95 F-Body LT1... Small, light--great unit...

 

I have used the same starter mentioned by thirdge88, above. Originally for 4th gen LT1 engines- doesn't look the same as the Vette starter pictured above, though. Likewise, very good results on every motor I've used it. It fits anything with the smaller 153 tooth flywheel/flexplate like ALL 3rd gen F-body V8 engines use. A decent rebuilt one can be had for about $135 around my area with core (you can return your old full size starter as a core- just don't let them open the box when you take it back!)

Not sure why the Vette starter is a different design than the F-body starter or what size flexplate/flywheel it's designed to work with, but hey, if it works it works!

Modern design gear-reduction mini starters are really amazing compared to the older full size direct-drive starters of years past.

 

Is this the one ?

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductD...pe=123&ptset=A

I don't quite understand the difference between that one and this one
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductD...pe=123&ptset=A

 

what is heat soak?

 

I wanted to use a mitsubishi style starter. I feel its a better starter (from my days working at Parts America) therefore I went with the corvette instead of the LT1. The 1988-1991 corvettes used almost the same starter (GM 10455702) which was also an L98 engine. The starter I used is just a newer version and crosses over to the 10455702. The NAPA website has a great look up feature and it even shows pictures of the part.

 

"Heat soak" is when after a long period of driving the starter gets hot (because it's right above the y-pipe) and it will not work until it cools down. Chances are when this happens you won't even get a "click". In my case I live in Orlando and on a hot day (everyday) stuck in traffic it doesn't take long for this to happen.

 

Check that... nippondenso. Eh, same diff.
Anyway. This is likely all you'll ever need to fix on one of those.

 

vorgath, I don't see a difference either. I guess its the little black plastic cover on the side?

 

the starter absorbs a lot of heat from the exhaust, and if the starter is old, the solenoid won't work until the starter has a chance to cool down.

 

thank you

 

The T5 starter is the factory starter that came on the 5 speed optioned cars, it will work on a automatic, but the larger automatic starter will not fit the 5 speed transmission.

 

Thanks,HWP

 

Thanks for this post. For anyone considering this I highly recommend it. After 3 unreliable factory starters I switched to the gear reduction unit for the 88-91 Corvettes and It works wonderfully. The sound of the starter takes a little to get used to, but I will gladly take that for the higher torque and the smaller size.

 

starters from 4.3 blazers are also mini and better than the stock ones, but i don't know if they are gear reduction. i bought a new one on ebay for 70$ because my headers wouldn't fit with a stock one.

 

Just installed it on my '89 305tbi Manual tran. Took it for a test drive tonight and everything seems to be working perfect. No problem from heat soak that I can tell right now... but it's not very hot outside.

The first guy was right about the sound though... it takes some getting used to, and sounds kind of weird, like a Dodge.

I didn't have any trouble with cable length. Even with the shorter length of the starter, I had just enough slack to connect it.

Anyway... good luck!

 

Can someone please post a video of what this sounds like. I'm really curious.

 

It probably just sounds like an LT1 car starting. It just turns over the engine a lot faster. Sounds like a modern car.

I got my LT1 starter from a junkyard for $30 and its worked for over a year now.

Lighter, easier to handle, much easier for the car to start when its being turned so fast, big advantage all around.

 

So the LT4 starter will work on a 1989 T5 ?

 

It should. I've always installed the LT1 starter onto 3rd gens with automatics but it should work on a manual as well, I think.

Nice to see this post resurrected from a 5 year slumber!

 

15 months. But still a great source of information.