Anyone have a preference? LT4/Corvette style or an aftermarket mini starter?
My 383 just ate its second stock starter (the plastic gears inside are stripping and breaking).

 

LT4 starters and other aftermarket gear reduction starters produce more torque during operation and typically start the engine quicker. Sounds cool, that's about it.

If you have a feeling that you are going to continue to chew up starters with your setup you should consider one with a LLT like those that can be found at your local autoparts store. You can find one that functions just like stock and you can probably get away with a free replacement every year.

As far as clearance during R&R, the requirement to pull the exhaust depends on what kind you are running. Some say that the stock crossover pipe needs to be lowered, though I did not have that problem when pulling my stocker or installing my LT4 starter (OBDI single-cat). You shouldn't need shims with any stock replacement or for the LT4. You may need them for another aftermarket starter.

I don't have any input regarding durability of any of the above mentioned options except that I can say my stocker lasted 118,000 mi and my LT4 replacement has taken over duty to 145,000 mi and still cranks very quickly.

Hope that helps!

 

Ya I have an LT4 starter on my 97 SS works great, starts the motor faster and sounds cooler. You can get a rebuilt one from Auto Zone for like $120 and i believe it comes with a lifetime warrenty



Full bolt-ons, 4:10's,cc306 and Pro Mag 1.6RR, no emmsions, Elibach springs, Bilstein shocks, BFG/KDW, Chome Zr-1's.

 

My stock starter lasted 67k with no problem, but once installed on my new engine it only cranked 4-5 times before stripping the plastic plantary gears. I had it rebuilt, and it did it again, in about the same amount of time, so a LLT is of no use; its going to keep doing it, I'm sure.Whether that is due to backfiring, as the starter guy said, or the fact that the starter is having to work harder (12.3:1 383), I don't know, but I have no desire to keep dropping my y-pipe to r&r the starter (I have a Canton pan and AS&M/Random headers). I just tried a Nippondenso-style Summit starter, and it won't clear the headers; if I clock the starter, it won't clear the block (dipstick tube area). Fortunately Summit is close by.

 

+1

 

What is the part number for the Lt4 starter ?

 

i have the lt4 starter also with about 11.2 compression

LT4 starter 10455709 $144.77

add this website to your favorites:http://shbox.com/1/Parts.htm

 

is it safe to assume it is shimmed properly?


i have an autozone starter with about 15k on it, and i think i have the bill as well for lifetime warranty.

I paid over 200 new for it, it was new not a reman.

75 plus shipping if you are interested.

 

its the same starter that was on the car before, and the same block, so no shims should be needed. It never made any noise until it broke.

 

Hmm... You might want to take a look at this bad boy:

http://www.sdpc2000.com/catalog/1281...um-Starter.htm

I think 3 HP should be able to tackle even 12.3:1, though I wouldn't know first hand. If you think that is overkill they also offer a 1.9 HP unit for a little less cash. If it you feel like you want to "do it once, do it right" then the above linked starter should crank as hard as any I have seen on the market, and it is advertised as 5 position adjustable so hopefully it will solve your clearance issues. I was going to say you could call CVR and ask them about your setup, but I have a feeling I know what they will say

Good luck, let us know what you find to turn that 383 over!

 

The Summit starter I first tried was very similar to that one , their part #SUM-820323 which is Nippondenso style like the so called LT4/Corvette starter. It wasn't possible to get it to clear the header or the block, clocking it either way, so I returned it and bought SUM-G1660A.

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...3&autoview=sku

It says SUM-G1660A is recommended for up to 11:1, but it fit great and has no problem turning my engine over. Its a Hitachi style, and other than being shorter (and clockable, which wasn't necesary) it is very similar in size to the stock starter. It didn't require shimming, and came with ARP bolts (2 longs and a short, LT1s will need the long and short). I'm very pleased with it, esp for the price. I also considered the MSD and a Proform; both looked like they would work fine, but price was a consideration and clearance looked best with the Summit brand starter. I'm just glad Summit is so close by (GA location is about 25 miles from here) so I could go look at all of them.

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...A&autoview=sku