Starter died after header install
Starter died after header install TLDR: New dumped LT's, drove it like I stole it, about 10 starts and ~30 miles later the starter doesn't even click.
Hey guys! I just finished up my LT header install this past Tuesday, and took it to the strip Wednesday. It was running fine, revved cleaner, everything you hear about LT's. For the record, while I am waiting on my Speed Eng. TD's, I'm running 18" of literal straight pipe after the collector. It's not my daily, so I figured I'd try it (side note, it sounds absolutely wicked).
After about 35 miles of driving, and my second pass down the track, the car was cranking like it was low on voltage. Third pass, it was cranking like it was even lower, I figured it was the starting/stopping I was doing trying to keep it from getting too hot, and the battery not charging up enough. Fourth pass comes up, nada. No crank, no click, nothing but a single faint tick from under the car after I turn the key.
I managed to roll it down a hill and catch second, and it ran fine on the 15 mile drive home. I have not had the chance to get under the car and evaluate, but I am at a loss. I'm assuming the headers fried the starter. I noticed much higher underhood temps, despite the fact I went from unshielded Pacesetter mid-lengths anyway, and I'm wondering if that's a function of the new headers, the open dumps almost under the engine bay, or a combo of the two.
Anyone ever experience this before? I'm trying to see what I need to do in order to get this straightened out.
Anyone with recommendations on starters just in case?
Hey guys! I just finished up my LT header install this past Tuesday, and took it to the strip Wednesday. It was running fine, revved cleaner, everything you hear about LT's. For the record, while I am waiting on my Speed Eng. TD's, I'm running 18" of literal straight pipe after the collector. It's not my daily, so I figured I'd try it (side note, it sounds absolutely wicked).
After about 35 miles of driving, and my second pass down the track, the car was cranking like it was low on voltage. Third pass, it was cranking like it was even lower, I figured it was the starting/stopping I was doing trying to keep it from getting too hot, and the battery not charging up enough. Fourth pass comes up, nada. No crank, no click, nothing but a single faint tick from under the car after I turn the key.
I managed to roll it down a hill and catch second, and it ran fine on the 15 mile drive home. I have not had the chance to get under the car and evaluate, but I am at a loss. I'm assuming the headers fried the starter. I noticed much higher underhood temps, despite the fact I went from unshielded Pacesetter mid-lengths anyway, and I'm wondering if that's a function of the new headers, the open dumps almost under the engine bay, or a combo of the two.
Anyone ever experience this before? I'm trying to see what I need to do in order to get this straightened out.
Anyone with recommendations on starters just in case?
TECH Veteran
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 4,985
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Header heat can kill starters...especially if the headers are not ceramic coated.
You can buy a starter blanket (heat wrap)
The dumps after collectors are likely not helping if the dump is close to starter
If starter is dead, get a "corvette" starter (same year as your car) which is smaller and a true gear reduction starter for LT1...also cheaper than a replacement stock starter at Autozone
If there is a core charge...might want to come back to the store in a few days to turn it in...does not look like the Vette starter. Sometimes the counter guys get pissy when the starter core is not the same as what you are buying.
You can buy a starter blanket (heat wrap)
The dumps after collectors are likely not helping if the dump is close to starter
If starter is dead, get a "corvette" starter (same year as your car) which is smaller and a true gear reduction starter for LT1...also cheaper than a replacement stock starter at Autozone
If there is a core charge...might want to come back to the store in a few days to turn it in...does not look like the Vette starter. Sometimes the counter guys get pissy when the starter core is not the same as what you are buying.