Performance Starter Motor

[Fanfaniracing]

I am looking for a good starter unit as my standard Starter Motor gave up...

I was thinking of GXE1004RACE from Minispares.
http://minispares.com/product/Classic/E ... o%20search

Does anyone here has experience with this unit or has other suggestions?

[Peter Laidler]

I hope you don't mind me suggesting that if the original has failed, just have it rebuilt. Unless the compression/performance of the engine requires an expansive 'performance' starter. I always say that where there's a will, there's usually a simple way. And in this case, a cheap and simple way!

[Fanfaniracing]

Hi Peter

I have a Quote to rebuild my original one and it's more than the Minispares performance Starter would cost. Also i had problems as my compression is quite high i think...

[LuisM]

Hello,

I am familiar with the high torque ones ( with gear reduction ) , I like them as they are very reliable and parts are very easy to find , they are actually converted honda units

Cheers
Luís

[W1NG3D]

With a high compression engine, the high-torque starters do make life a little easier. I've got this one fitted to my engine from MED: https://www.med-engineering.co.uk/ancil ... rter-motor

Looks like it is a bit cheaper than the Minispares one too.

[GraemeC]

The duty cycle on the GXE1004RACE is very low - they don’t like to be used a lot or for long periods before they get hot and fail.
NEVER use one to turn a fresh engine over to build up oil pressure or when trying to diagnose a starting fault!!

[Fanfaniracing]

The duty cycle on the GXE1004RACE is very low - they don’t like to be used a lot or for long periods before they get hot and fail.
NEVER use one to turn a fresh engine over to build up oil pressure or when trying to diagnose a starting fault!!

Thank you for pointing this out.

The reason i would take this starter motor is that it's the one looking the most like a Standard one. But maybe i have to jump over the trench and go for a motor with reduced gears...

[agricola]

very true as they have plastic/nylon gears. But this is Nippon Denso Honda type very strong and powerful
http://www.minispares.com/product/Classic/GXE1004.aspx
However on my installation I had to move the oil cooler forward

[indigo]

I have one of the GXE1004's.
Found the main power terminal stud interferes with the Cooper S oil cooler when fitted up.

[agricola]

Yep moved oil cooler forward then had to modify MK2 grill!

[CooperTune]

I have a pile of the converted Honda starters and none work any longer. My solution since the pre engaged starters showed up has been to replace the ring gear and sort out the wiring. They will crank till the cows come home. I use them on all engine builds with compression ratios into the teens. Steve (CTR)

[indigo]

I have a pile of the converted Honda starters and none work any longer. My solution since the pre engaged starters showed up has been to replace the ring gear and sort out the wiring. They will crank till the cows come home. I use them on all engine builds with compression ratios into the teens. Steve (CTR)

Steve,
Which combination do you find works till the cows come home?
The 107 or 129 tooth ring gear, and then which starter?
Do you generally use a Verto or diaphragm clutch?

[andy1071]

Thinking out load....
I wouldn't expect compression ratio to be so significant while cranking/starting an engine
(-unless you are running REALLY high C/R, for say, methanol...)

I would say the camshaft is more relevant:
-a high performance/race camshaft has long duration +overlap (the valves are open for a lot of the crank revolution)
so more of the charge gets pushed out of the cylinder during cranking, and you have LESS fuel/air to burn... so less pressure in the cylinder...
-a 'low performance'/high torque camshaft will have less duration, so the cylinders will be more full, giving a higher pressure...

-Typical cranking speed is roughly 90-200rpm during starting...

I have to say that I have never had a problem with a standard starter motor (in any car..!!).
-The last engine I built is pretty tuned, and has an SW10 cam, and spins over and starts without any problem, every time...

I fitted a 'hi-torque' starter motor to my Triumph TR4, but that was only because they were a LOT cheaper than original ones..!
(the old one was really worn out...)

[CooperTune]

When I started Vintage racing I began having bendix issues with the starters. I picked up a pre engaged which put an end to starter issues. I have been removing the ring gears from older light flywheels and replacing them with verto 129 tooth gears which are thin like the gears on light flywheels. Then you can use a GXE 4527 starter motor. As long as the key is in crank position it cranks and will not kick out. Steve (CTR)

[indigo]

When I started Vintage racing I began having bendix issues with the starters. I picked up a pre engaged which put an end to starter issues. I have been removing the ring gears from older light flywheels and replacing them with verto 129 tooth gears which are thin like the gears on light flywheels. Then you can use a GXE 4527 starter motor. As long as the key is in crank position it cranks and will not kick out. Steve (CTR)

Sounds like a good, low cost, reliable option - Thanks