Conversions & Hybrids - starter compatability

are the gen 3 starters interchangeable?

say could i use a 6.0 truck starter on a 5.3/t56 combo?

A lot of people seem to have issues with non-GTO stick shift starters in Gto drivetrain swaps, so the answer would be no, they don't all interchange

what i'm trying to find out is if i could use a 6.0 truck starter w/ my motor/trans setup listed above.

is the ls2 gto starter the same is the lq4? or were you talking about the ls1 gto starters?

There are not many starter experts on this site.

I am not 100% certain what the difference is in various starters. What I can tell you is there is a huge difference in what the parts stores charge for the different starters. I tried to get a starter for an LS2 crate motor, basically a 2005 vette motor. All the parts places told me they don't carry that part, and I would have to go to a GM dealer (i.e. $350). They had starters for truck motors and what not, but not the vette engine.

Go figure.

Bought a $240 aftermarket starter that claims it works with any LS motor.

I know you can use a truck starter with a Ls1 or Ls2 flywheel.

I have an 05 GTO T56 behind my LS1 - the LS1 starter would not fit - both the nose of the starter was too big and the height of the mounting boss (where the bolt holes go) was too tall. My understanding of the starter issues is its primarily the bellhousing that limits you. I believe the block casting is the same for all. Some use a long/short bolt combo and some use long/long.

Supposedly the 04 GTO will use a LS1 starter but the 05 and 06 GTO starter is unique - I finally found a used OEM starter for mine. I looked around on the LS1GTO site and those guys were having issues also. I think the Vette starter is different also.

I contacted Powermaster re their gear reduction starter and they said their stuff would not work on my 05 bellhousing. Some of the gear reduction starters have no nose on them like a factory starter and you would think they would fit - but no one could tell me for sure - so I waited until I found a used one. Bottom line - you may just have to try it and see.

Just for info if this helps.

LS1 stuff isn't too easy to get hold of in the UK, anyway I bought a stock replacement starter over here.
Somehow I managed to trash two of them trying to get my engine fired up - the slightest kickback on starting trashed the nylon reduction set !

Bought a Summit brand 'race' reduction starter (SUM-820320) instead and this thing has steel gears and hasn't broken just yet - although I'm still only testing the engine on a stand.

The Summit one is adjustable like most other race models so you can swing it around for whatever clearance you need.

James

i'm using an fbody t56, so i guess my best bet would be to go with a camaro/ta starter.

there is some useful info in this thread so far. a sticky in this subforum stating everything about the vette/gto/truck/fbody interchange-ability would help a lot of people i'm sure.