duckvader

iTrader: (1)

i have a 97 firebird lt1. the starter when car is hot is turninig car over slowly. when car is cold starts right up. the car has 11.5.1 compression 383. my question is will 96 corvette gear reduction starter fit with no changes. will it bolt right on with no mods. will it solve my problem.

96capricemgr

iTrader: (1)

The stock LT1 starter even for the Caprice/Roadmaster is gear reduction, it just doesn't look like an aftermarket gear reduction unit.

If it is having problems clean connections and then consider running a larger gauge wire from the battery. The starter if indeed a stock LT1 starter would be the last thing I would change when chasing this problem.

11.5:1 383 should be no problem for a stock starter.

Now it is possible to put an older style direct drive starter on an LT1 and it is possible someone could have done this before you bought the car.

BALLSS

Many of us who replaced the "stock" starter went with a Autozone (assume most auto parts stores carry a reman under their store brand) "97 "Vette" starter which is smaller and is a gear reduction type. ironically cheaper than a "replaement" starter for my B-body.

Mine after 15 years also got "tiered" especially when cranking my 11:5 383 after it was at operating temps. The "vette' starter solved this and is plug & play on LT1

you might also consider better battery cables. www.innovativewiring.com makes excellant upgrades

96capricemgr

iTrader: (1)

Maybe if I say it again it will sink in.


THE STOCK LT1 STARTER IS GEAR REDUCTION!

BALLSS

yeah dwayne we heard you....and I didn't say the OEM ones were not gear reduction. the "vette" starter is a gear reduction starter which happens to be smaller, lighter and CHEAPER than a OEM replacement.

so if someone needed a replacement starter, on $ alone the 'vette" starter is a better deal, at least at Autozone anyway

The OP's starter could be getting tired or he has a battery or battery cable issue or his battery is not getting a full charge. The new motor with higher compression is just showing the wear signs of his electrical componets or starter. If his issue is in fact a dying starter than the "vette" one would be a cheaper alternative

No I don't know the gear ratio value of an OEM vs what is referred to as the "vette gear reduction starter" and which one has the greater advantage from its 'gear reduction aspect". I didn't know the OEM are gear reduction until you said it was or care. I bought the vette one because mine was dieing and the vette one was cheaper, fits perfectly, thats all.

fergymoto

iTrader: (129)

The Vette starter is a better piece, hands down.

94FBIRD

iTrader: (5)

You fit an LS1 starter on your LT1?

BALLSS

no, 97 "vette" is LT4...so that starter bolts to LT1 also.

sweetbmxrider

iTrader: (13)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrol...vette_%28C5%29

SS RRR

iTrader: (2)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lt4#LT4

fex77k

iTrader: (2)

I run a tilton now, but used a stock one for years. I used a jegs high torque, but it died in less than a year.

WS Sick

It's the 96 vette starter, and you save 2 or 3 pounds I can't remember which. It all adds up, it also gives you 1/2 inch greater side clearance, and about an inch on the end.

96capricemgr

iTrader: (1)

Regardless wiring should be the first upgrade. No sense in trying to put in "performance" electrical parts when the wiring is marginal.

Been awhile but I think on the b-body there were three different size wires coming off the battery to the starter-alternator-fuse block. I cut off the smallest of them and ran the starter cable in it's place and then just ran a new heavy gauge cable to the starter, a second ground cable and got a brass studs to mount it all to the battery. Cost a lot less than all new cables.

WS Sick

Yep I was just letting them know what starter they needed to look for if theirs went kaput.

BALLSS

my bad, typo. LT4=96 Vette

LT4

The LT4 was a special high-performance version of the new-generation LT1. With the addition of a slightly more aggressive camshaft profile, 1.6:1 roller aluminum rocker arms, high-flow cylinder heads, and an intake manifold (painted red) with extra material above the port available to allow port matching to the raised port LT4 cylinder heads, it was rated at 330 horsepower (250 kW) and 340 lb·ft (461 N·m). It was introduced in the 1996 model year, for the last year of the C4 Corvette, and came standard on all manual transmission (ZF 6-speed equipped) C4 Corvettes. The engine was passed down to special versions of the Camaro and Firebird the next model year.

The LT4 was available on the following vehicles:
1996 Chevrolet Corvette when equipped with 6-speed manual transmission (includes all Grand Sports) (Production: 6,359)
1997 Chevrolet Camaro SLP/LT4 SS 6-speed (Production: 100 for the U.S., 6 for Canada. There were 2 prototypes)
1997 Pontiac Firebird SLP/LT4 Firehawk 6-speed (Production: 29)

All 135 production engines for the Firehawks and Camaro SS were completely disassembled, balanced, blueprinted and honed with stress plates. One in 5 engines was tested on a Superflow engine dyno and every car was tested on a chassis dyno in addition to performing a short 6-mile (10 km) road test. \

Scrapin'4.8

iTrader: (3)

had this same exact problem with my car. Threw the "vette" starter i got off ebay for 95 dollars on it and it spins it over with ease cold, warm, or hot, and spins much quicker. Also has a different "sound" when turning over.