I'm trying to understand the whole mini-starter thing. I have an '85 with the 4+3 trans that I'm putting Hooker Headers on. It looks to me that a smaller starter would be in order. From what I've been able to find out, later models (88?) had a smaller starter. My question is will this later model starter work or do I have to go with an aftermarket unit?

As with everything else on this car, I'm looking for the most bang for the buck.

Thanks in advance, John

The mini starter is seriously lighter then those coffee cans full of lead that GM used back in the day. It uses gear reduction to get more torque from a smaller and lighter package.

I am pretty sure you can use a later model starter, refresh my memory, does your existing starter bolt up from the bottom? If so, the later style should work with no problem.

However, the aftermarket units are higher in torque output and are even smaller.

Since you are going with headers, you will need a heat shield to protect the starter from melt down. That would suck.

I hope this answers your question.

To tell the truth, I haven't even been under this car since I bought it last month, so I can't tell you how the starter bolts in. I would assume its from the bottom, like the older SBC's.

I have some rules I have to comply with, I'm autocrossing this car, and they may not allow me to use an aftermarket piece. I can buy at cost at the NAPA store my son works at too, so using a stock replacement may save a couple bucks too.

oh. rules... gee... do you think they would crawl under there and check?

If it's a bottom bolt fitment, I would think it's worth a try.

It looks to me like my LT1 starter would fit on bastet44s 87 L98...

Quote:

Well, they probably wouldn't. Autocross rules, especially on the local level are more of an honor system than anything. Its like anything else though, if you're competitive, the other racers start to look.

yea, there is that... going with a later factory part is more then likely legal, where and expensive aftermarket part is illegal. that makes sense.

I went back and read the rules again. Good news, I can run an aftermarket starter after all.

oh, cool!!!

some mini starters are permanent magnet types and care should be taken when wiring these types of starters to avoid the starter staying engaged with the ring gear after startup, also many times the bolts that come with these starters don't slide very easily in the mount holes (round file not drill to clean up) and the billet mounting block can hit the pan rail (just notch the starter mount) and last but not least most don't really clock as advertised. Aloha

John, the LT1 ministarter will not fit your 85 without clearancing the case.

You CAN use a 88-91 ministarter. I'm running one.

You will have to tweak the end of the positive cable to get it to fit.

It also puts the wires a little close to the pipes, so make sure to secure them out of the way.

If you don't have enough length on the positive cable, just reroute it to the battery from the side rather than up from underneath.

Plus, when you need a replacement starter down the road you can simply go to the local parts store.



The jackass that put my truck together put so many aftermarket parts on it that I can never find a replacement when something fails.