Conversions & Swaps LSX Engines in Non-LSX Vehicles
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Mini starter question. LS1 into BMW M3

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 29, 2011 | 12:59 PM
  #1  
ryanzcastro's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Long Beach CA
Default Mini starter question. LS1 into BMW M3

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.
Reply
Old Aug 29, 2011 | 01:30 PM
  #2  
rao's Avatar
rao
TECH Resident
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 980
Likes: 1
From: Naperville, IL
Default

Why not use a stock starter?
Reply
Old Aug 29, 2011 | 01:42 PM
  #3  
74novacustom's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 497
Likes: 4
Default

Originally Posted by rao
Why not use a stock starter?
agreed, these are high TQ starters from the factory and much smaller.

Not to mention. cheaper
Reply
Old Aug 29, 2011 | 03:23 PM
  #4  
Andy1's Avatar
TECH Resident
20 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 792
Likes: 2
From: SoCal
Default

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
Reply
Old Aug 29, 2011 | 03:24 PM
  #5  
Pop N Wood's Avatar
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,402
Likes: 8
Default

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
Reply
Old Aug 29, 2011 | 03:29 PM
  #6  
Pop N Wood's Avatar
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,402
Likes: 8
Default

Originally Posted by 74novacustom
agreed, these are high TQ starters from the factory and much smaller.

Not to mention. cheaper
Some of the aftermarkets list for less than new OEM starters. GM starters can get expensive.
Reply
Old Aug 29, 2011 | 04:10 PM
  #7  
74novacustom's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 497
Likes: 4
Default

Originally Posted by Pop N Wood
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.
Reply
Old Aug 29, 2011 | 05:59 PM
  #8  
ryanzcastro's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Long Beach CA
Default

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

Originally Posted by Pop N Wood
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
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
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-8

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 30, 2011 | 03:19 PM
  #9  
gnx7's Avatar
TECH Junkie
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (28)
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,655
Likes: 277
From: San Francisco, CA
Default

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
Reply
Old Aug 30, 2011 | 05:20 PM
  #10  
ModMuscle's Avatar
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
Default

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
Reply
Old Aug 31, 2011 | 11:03 AM
  #11  
ryanzcastro's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Long Beach CA
Default

Originally Posted by gnx7
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
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.

Originally Posted by ModMuscle
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
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:

Reply
Old Aug 31, 2011 | 12:58 PM
  #12  
Andy1's Avatar
TECH Resident
20 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 792
Likes: 2
From: SoCal
Default

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
Attached Thumbnails Mini starter question. LS1 into BMW M3-img_1124.jpg  
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:05 PM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE