Hey guys, this is my first post on this forum. I am building a 1995 m3 for road racing with an LS1 and am almost done. I have a question about the starter.

I just bought a Powermaster XS mini starter with the terminals on the side of the starter. When I was test fitting the starter, the terminals touch the headers (lack of room for headers so they cant be modified), even better the ignition switch and constant touch the headers.

Is there a way to modify the starter to have the terminals out back like the stock starters or should I just get another starter like the MSD APS with rear mounted terminals?

Also are heat wraps worth it?

thanks in advance.

 

Why not use a stock starter?

 

agreed, these are high TQ starters from the factory and much smaller.

Not to mention. cheaper

 

I had the exact same problem; mine was a clockable starter. The only two positions available either put the high current terminal way too close to the engine block, or its body resting against the header. Since I needed a snoutless starter due to adapting to another trans, I used a clockable high torque mini starter for a GEN I SBC, and machined my own mounting block. I'd too would recommend a stock style starter for your application.

Andy1

 

Is the power master the one with the solenoid in line with the flywheel gear and the motor above that?

Man, if that is the case it is hard to believe the MSD starter would give you more clearance. No way a stocker with the fat motor in line with the FW gear would work.

Have you looked at the Summit ministarter? They have the lugs on the wrong side of the solenoid (between the solenoid and the block). I had one but returned it because that seemed like a total PITA. But for your setup it might make sense.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-820320/?rtype=10

This proform looks promising

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PRO-66273/?rtype=10

 

Some of the aftermarkets list for less than new OEM starters. GM starters can get expensive.

 

Some can, I got mine for 65.00 new from Penny Pincher auto in Phx, with lifetime Warranty. Works great.

I first ordered the Summit one, i had the same issues that they are describing, with the clocking issues and it has an enormous solenoid on it, it was too close to everything and the connections were all in the wrong places.

 

well the stock GM one fit but it was touching one of the runners. Im hoping the MSD one works. If not then the sumit one would be next. Im tired of wasting money on starters. Look for the powermaster to be up for sale soon. If you are interested now the PM me. Ill sell it for $185. I bought it for $256

It should because the terminals on the side mount actually make the bottom part of the Powermaster slightly larger than the OEM starter unit width wise. WHen I get the MSD one, Ill do a comparison of all 3 in terms of size

 

Not sure what you are running; however these links show my buddies 440ci stroker LS7 swapped M3. Road race style build. 550rwhp+ with a/c

http://www.norotors.com/index.php?topic=3464.0

http://www.norotors.com/index.php?topic=3077.0

 

ryanzcastro...if you bought it from Jegs or Summit you can return it and get all your money back! Not to cheat someone out of a good deal but man...that's a big hit for you.

My starter was bad so I bought both the MSD and the powermaster starters and NEITHER one one fit my 66 Chevelle with Edelbrock headers. The MSD is bigger than the stock starter. The powermaster was a cool design but wouldnt even start to clear my headers. I couldnt even get either one in place to put the bolts in. Let alone have any clearance for wiring.

For clearance I bent a battery end 90 degrees and solved that problem. The I mounted

Best of luck

 

Nice build. My next step after the starter is to get the AC back in there. I hope to have an LS7 in the plans in the future.

The MSD is a bit shorter. Ill check for clearance. Can you elaborate on what starter you ended up using and how you bent the battery end 90 degrees to make it work? Here is a pic I took of my collection haha.


The MSD is shorter but its a lil taller. I think it may work. :Fingers Crossed:

and here are some pics of my project:

 

The Summit high torque mini starter is smaller than all of those (I think), but it's not available for the LSx, only the GEN I sbc or bbc....that was the case a couple of years ago, anyway. I think it's a Hitachi copy, so it's possible someone offers a LSx version now??
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-829100/
I used one of those and machined my own mounting block so it would mate with the LSx. I don't know if it would work for your application, but that's what I did.

Andy1