LT1 Starter upgrades?
LT1 Starter upgrades? What's available out there to upgrade from the stock starter?
A buddy recently got a Bosch for his '94 Formula and he reported that it seemed a couple pounds lighter and seems to have more cranking torque.
How about Tilton? I had a Tilton Super Starter on the ZZ3 motor we dropped in my 3rd gen years ago, but have not researched LT1 applications.
The LT1 starter is suppposedly "light" from the factory when compared to some other GM starters, but I know we can do better....
Who knows? Let's get some input.
A buddy recently got a Bosch for his '94 Formula and he reported that it seemed a couple pounds lighter and seems to have more cranking torque.
How about Tilton? I had a Tilton Super Starter on the ZZ3 motor we dropped in my 3rd gen years ago, but have not researched LT1 applications.
The LT1 starter is suppposedly "light" from the factory when compared to some other GM starters, but I know we can do better....
Who knows? Let's get some input.
Well I'll tell you what I did with my starter. After I rebuilt the motor to 10.8:1 (which wasn't really that much), my starter would not push the motor over. I ended up breaking a nose cone in my bellhousing and took it to the local generator shop that "upgraded" it to high torque specs. I think they just put a stronger armature on it or something. It's still a stock starter but she starts right up now. I wasn't looking for light or anything but cost effective. They charged me nothing after I messed it up (had recently been rebuilt, before the motor was, hehe).
Yeah, My new 355 motor is nearly 11:1 and when it's hot the starter struggles to start cranking initially. Cold is fine, no difference over the old (stock compression) motor.
Gotta be peeps with some experiences. Please share.
I want to save weight AND get more cranking torque.
Gotta be peeps with some experiences. Please share.
I want to save weight AND get more cranking torque.
On The Tree
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 189
Likes: 1
From: South Jersey
Good stuff. Thanks for posting that link.
I have looked in Summit, Jegs etc. and have seen the lighter starters coming in @ 8.8 pounds. I just weighed my stock LT1 starter and it is right about 10 lbs. Not a big weight savings there. However, I am glad to hear that an LT4 starter gives us not only that slight weight reduction, but also better performance. I'm not going to run out and buy one just yet, but when my original one gives up the ghost...
I have looked in Summit, Jegs etc. and have seen the lighter starters coming in @ 8.8 pounds. I just weighed my stock LT1 starter and it is right about 10 lbs. Not a big weight savings there. However, I am glad to hear that an LT4 starter gives us not only that slight weight reduction, but also better performance. I'm not going to run out and buy one just yet, but when my original one gives up the ghost...
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Blah, I have a CVR pro Torque race starter, got it from Jegs for $146. Its fully adjustable unlike the LT4 you sheep flock to . For the Lt1 starter being smaller, have you ever seen a starter of a GN or even an 80s TPI car? I was working on my friends 86 TA after he broke a timing chain, the starter on that thing was huge. Same for a GN, 80s starters are massive, so in comparison the LT1 starter is a lot smaller. The CVR pro torque is a little smaller than the LT1. Its supose to be able to start a high Compresion motors with out problems, when my 14:1 solid roller 300 shot 383 goes in 2020 we'll see if it holds true Theres one above the Pro Torque for all out race motors. I have had the Pro Torque about 2 years, and its been fine. My stock one lasted 10 years, the car still has the orig alternator from 93 if any one cares.
. For the Lt1 starter being smaller, have you ever seen a starter of a GN or even an 80s TPI car? I was working on my friends 86 TA after he broke a timing chain, the starter on that thing was huge. Same for a GN, 80s starters are massive, so in comparison the LT1 starter is a lot smaller. The CVR pro torque is a little smaller than the LT1. Its supose to be able to start a high Compresion motors with out problems, when my 14:1 solid roller 300 shot 383 goes in 2020 we'll see if it holds true Theres one above the Pro Torque for all out race motors. I have had the Pro Torque about 2 years, and its been fine. My stock one lasted 10 years, the car still has the orig alternator from 93 if any one cares. LS1 Tech Stories
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Verdad Gallardo Bizzzatch, I am with you. Lots of guys have sought out the "LT1" starter as it's about half the weight of "old school" GM small block starters. However, us hardcore racers think we can always improve on something. 
I had a Tilton "Super Starter" on my ZZ3 crate motor in my third gen. Good upgrade as well.
I had a Tilton "Super Starter" on my ZZ3 crate motor in my third gen. Good upgrade as well.
TECH Resident
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 943
Likes: 2
From: Houston
I am running about 10.8:1 on my TA and the stock starter works perfectly fine for me down here in Houston. I have about 100k miles on the starter. It even had to start the car 2-3 times a day with the car in first gear for about a month(Talk about a load!) hehe.
