Tell me about Mini Starters?

[KeyBlazer]

Working my way thru my k10 wilderness camper build, detailed elsewhere.
I have the old starter off, and boy is it a heavy lump.
As I’m also concerned about heat soak from the headers, I’m thinking it’s time for a mini starter…
I don’t know much about them or if they are better..
Something like this?

JEGS Heavy-Duty Mini Starter | Hitachi-Style | For Small Block and Big Block Chevy Engines | Made In USA https://a.co/d/fN2mmnz

 

[Bent77]

Yeah, I’d never run the big brick again
Not sure on the brand, but that price is online with what I paid last time. Typically Jegs is good with customer service

 

[ktmoutfront]

Eileen's Corvette will not crank with a stock starter. Even a high torque stock style one. I bought the Summit version of that one. No big deal. And the headers are right there.

 

[swettysblazer]

Get a factory starter from a 96-99 Vortec truck. Any parts store will have them. You will need to get the correct length starter bolts though.

 

[500$k5]

I second the Vortec starter. Twice the cranking power, 1/2 the weight, less current draw, and the solenoid can be rotated so you can get to that pesky start terminal. Also aren't affected by header heat as bad.

 

[skunked]

I run powermaster starters on several BBC’s and two SBC’s. They can be clocked, sound good and never let me down.

 

[KeyBlazer]

Great info!
Worth running a heat shield on whatever I end up with?

 

[scouthead]

I second the Vortec starter. Twice the cranking power, 1/2 the weight, less current draw, and the solenoid can be rotated so you can get to that pesky start terminal. Also aren't affected by header heat as bad.

damn you are tempting me to jump on board... nothing wrong with the one in my truck, buuuuut that all sounds nice. have to swap motors soon, and that thing is definitely a "heavy lump"!

 

[centexk5]

I second the Vortec starter. Twice the cranking power, 1/2 the weight, less current draw, and the solenoid can be rotated so you can get to that pesky start terminal. Also aren't affected by header heat as bad.

That makes my life easy. Engine I’m putting in my blazer is a 97 vortec block.

 

[skunked]

Great info!
Worth running a heat shield on whatever I end up with?

Depends how tight the headers are.

 

[KeyBlazer]

Haven’t got the headers in that side of the motor yet. Not too tight, I don’t think but I’ve had headers and heat soak issues with my 454 powered Motorhome before, so wary.
Ordered that Jegs unit.
$123 seems good to me, and ordered one of those heat wrap shields too.
Will report back when it arrives.

 

[blackhemirt]

I've also been using the power master starter and alternator with zero issues

 

[dyeager535]

Here's mine in all it's crusty glory. Starter was given to me, formerly used on a circle track car. Battery cable is in poor shape. Headers are fairly close. Thing starts without issue in sub-freezing weather, or after towing steep hills in 90* weather, and has for 5+ years. Turns over far easier than it ever did with a "new" parts store starter. And so much easier to deal with, in all regards...weight, access, clearance, etc.

 

[KeyBlazer]

Good stuff.
Pulled my old one off yesterday. I swear it weighs 100lb.
Did a quick test fit of rh headers… looks fine…
I’m in Ca(for now) so heat is gonna be an issue. Need to rewire that whole area as I see all the wires are toast.

 

[imiceman44]

Get a factory starter from a 96-99 Vortec truck. Any parts store will have them. You will need to get the correct length starter bolts though.

That is what I did on all my squares.
The one I buy comes with the bolts

 

[KeyBlazer]

It arrived couple of days back.



Crazy compared with OEM.



Got a heat insulating wrap too.

 

[Wes Harden]

If you are going to rewire, I recommend the 2 relay system. wire like this.

left is factory style right is how I did mine. 4ga is minimum.

 

[KeyBlazer]

Good info.
My wiring harness in the engine bay is pretty ragged.
Prob need to redo it all...
Anyone bought a new harness and installed... maybe I need to start a dedicated thread, but where?

 

[6872xtc]

If you are going to rewire, I recommend the 2 relay system. wire like this.

left is factory style right is how I did mine. 4ga is minimum.

View attachment 422471

I can tell you from experience that the remote solenoid can cause some "run-on" of the permanent magnet starters. It does it on my '72.

 

[Wes Harden]

Good to know. I had heard it does on the GM ls starters. Wasn't sure if the jegs would be the same.
I am old school, I have a copper armature starter, and no headers.
Wired like that for 3 years now. No cranking issues, with a good battery. Even had a crappy PO spliced multi ga crank signal wire till recently