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Is a mini starter a worthwhile
#665147
04/09/10 12:44 PM
04/09/10 12:44 PM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,319
Puyallup, WA
StealthWedge67
OP
master
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OP
master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,319
Puyallup, WA
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Going to be installing my new motor real soon. The old standard starter had no problems, but I'm wondering if now is the time to upgrade to a mini. Car does have headers. It's a street-strip type of effort. I'm not made of money, but $70 could be found. It would just take away from my drag-radial tire budget.
Is this update worth the $$$ ?
LemonWedge - Street heavy / Strip ready - 11.07 @ 120
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Re: Is a mini starter a worthwhile
[Re: StukaJU87]
#665159
04/09/10 03:57 PM
04/09/10 03:57 PM
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 15,487
Florida
scratchnfotraction
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 15,487
Florida
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one could be a little smaller than the other I have 2 from the u-pull it for 14$ each had the first one rebuilt after it started clicking a lot after 2yrs of service,rebuild for 65$ for a total of 79$ on that one..still cheaper than new,been 5yrs now  2nd one from u-pull 14$ was on a 96-97 / v-6 1500 ram it was smaller and had a plastic plug for the small wire,so I had to splice it into my 85 wire it had been replace,has a napa sticker on it and was a new one not remaned.. for a total of 14$ spins super fast on the 440 truck same on the SB,can R&R the starter without R&R of the header on the sb also can R&R the header with out removing the starter with the hedman headers  I miss the sound but not the slow batt killer 30lb ginny that I can barly hold up to the tranz now the 6lbs mini is a another story...the mini dont hurt as much when you drop it on your head under the car  I will take 6lb knock on the head over a 30lbs one anyday  
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Re: Is a mini starter a worthwhile
[Re: BDW]
#665161
04/09/10 04:20 PM
04/09/10 04:20 PM
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 15,487
Florida
scratchnfotraction
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 15,487
Florida
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no,not if you get the one with the 2 studs on it,may need to remove an extention piece though..very ez..2 nuts its off the new one I got had the newr plug deal I did cut and splice the plug into my 85 truck to use it...I moved the one that had 2 studs to the 440 truck cause I did not want to cut the wires up...and I didnt want to go back to the u-pull to exchange it..it was rather new so..I kept it and made due..couldnt beat 14$ for it  I was just say that I notice there was a size diff in the 2 and that the newer one had the plug to deal with so pick the one you need the first time..I should have noticed that when I got it  I upgraded to the mini alt on the 440 in the sig pic also..it wired right up with a couple wire crimps and longer bolt/stock brackets
Last edited by scratchnfotraction; 04/09/10 04:22 PM.
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Re: Is a mini starter a worthwhile
[Re: moparcanuk]
#665165
04/09/10 08:38 PM
04/09/10 08:38 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,327
Glendale, AZ
69L78Nova
Banned. Forever.
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Banned. Forever.
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,327
Glendale, AZ
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If you can tolerate the sound. I refuse to use the mini. I have old style starters on everything, and have fired up 12.5:1 engines in the summer AZ heat with ease with the old style starters.
1969 Nova
454/M21/3.31
Mild mid-11 second weekend cruiser
1994 F150 XLT Super Cab 2WD
5.0/4R70W/3.55
(Daily driver)
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Re: Is a mini starter a worthwhile
[Re: scratchnfotraction]
#665166
04/09/10 08:41 PM
04/09/10 08:41 PM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,565
tennessee
pushbutton
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,565
tennessee
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Quote:
my hedmans said stock shortolder type starter only
plenty romm for smaller though
Yea my mini wouldn't clear my cheap hedman's, had to use stock starter. 
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Re: Is a mini starter a worthwhile
[Re: 69L78Nova]
#665167
04/09/10 08:45 PM
04/09/10 08:45 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,044
At a gas station near you
badblack68
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,044
At a gas station near you
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I like the mini starter over the older style starters. I do miss the no no no no no no sound of the old style starter.
Nobody gets in to see the wizard!
Ain`t no way!
Ain`t no how!
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Re: Is a mini starter a worthwhile
[Re: Pntastar69]
#665170
04/10/10 09:53 AM
04/10/10 09:53 AM
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,181
Lost in the ozone again
stubbs300
Vacation
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Vacation
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,181
Lost in the ozone again
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Quote:
Head to the junk yard and get one from a late 90's Dakota. $30 well spent. 6 years and still cranking.
I have 2 vehicles with them, 12 years and cranking! DO IT!
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Re: Is a mini starter a worthwhile
[Re: stubbs300 ]
#665171
04/10/10 10:04 AM
04/10/10 10:04 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,530
Nunya CA
CR8CRSHR
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,530
Nunya CA
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Quote:
Quote:
Head to the junk yard and get one from a late 90's Dakota. $30 well spent. 6 years and still cranking.
I have 2 vehicles with them, 12 years and cranking! DO IT!
Yep..What he said. I just don't get the constant aversion to newer and more efficient parts going on our older rides. If it makes them better performing and lighter then by all means change for the better...As long as one is in keeping with MOPAR parts only...
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Re: Is a mini starter a worthwhile
[Re: MoparJoe]
#665173
04/10/10 10:57 AM
04/10/10 10:57 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,247
Newfoundland
codfish
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,247
Newfoundland
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Quote:
Yeah they're worthwhile, I switched to them on all my cars a few years ago, I had problems getting the old style starter to last more than a year in A bodys with headers, the mini has tons of breathing room.
It might sound like a honda when it cranks but I'll take that over dropping the centerlink and raising the motor to remove the starter/header every 9-12 months.
Exactly.
Who cares what it sounds like when it's starting, as long as it does start. 
It's the sound that comes after that matters
codfish
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Re: Is a mini starter a worthwhile
[Re: CR8CRSHR]
#665175
04/10/10 04:39 PM
04/10/10 04:39 PM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 242
midwest
intragration
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 242
midwest
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Quote:
I just don't get the constant aversion to newer and more efficient parts going on our older rides. If it makes them better performing and lighter then by all means change for the better...As long as one is in keeping with MOPAR parts only...
Some people are weird and like the experience of old-fashioned things... I am one of these weirdoes. This is why I drive an old car with old parts. I don't understand why people take an old car and modify and change it with all kinds of new things that didn't exist when the car was made, pro-touring being the prime example. To me, if you want all the modern conveniences, why don't you just buy a modern car and not ruin the relative purity of an old car? This is completely my opinion, not meant as a slam on anyone's likes or dislikes. This, however, is why I personally like the slow, hollow-metallic sound of an old Chrysler starter, and would never even consider a new starter. It started my car in 1974, and hopefully it will still be starting my car in 2074.
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Re: Is a mini starter a worthwhile
[Re: intragration]
#665177
04/10/10 06:05 PM
04/10/10 06:05 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 21,318
Manitoba, Canada
DaytonaTurbo
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 21,318
Manitoba, Canada
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Quote:
Quote:
I just don't get the constant aversion to newer and more efficient parts going on our older rides. If it makes them better performing and lighter then by all means change for the better...As long as one is in keeping with MOPAR parts only...
Some people are weird and like the experience of old-fashioned things... I am one of these weirdoes. This is why I drive an old car with old parts. I don't understand why people take an old car and modify and change it with all kinds of new things that didn't exist when the car was made, pro-touring being the prime example. To me, if you want all the modern conveniences, why don't you just buy a modern car and not ruin the relative purity of an old car? This is completely my opinion, not meant as a slam on anyone's likes or dislikes. This, however, is why I personally like the slow, hollow-metallic sound of an old Chrysler starter, and would never even consider a new starter. It started my car in 1974, and hopefully it will still be starting my car in 2074.
Well that's fine if you want a bone stock grocery getter. For those of us that want to run headers, the mini-start is a godsend. I can wiggle it between my header tubes so I don't have to drop the header if the starter ever needs changing. I did not notice a difference in sound between the rebuilt stocker I had in there and the mini I installed. The old starter I had cranked the motor over well, but it started crapping out. Then lifting the full-size stocker over your head is a pita. The mini is so much easier to get into place and easier on the arms. For me, the less/easier the work is that I have to do while laying on my back, the better. To me, doing mods and little projects/upgrades is what keeps the car interesting.
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Re: Is a mini starter a worthwhile
[Re: intragration]
#665178
04/10/10 06:11 PM
04/10/10 06:11 PM
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,869
Ontario, Canada
Stanton
Don't question me!
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Don't question me!
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,869
Ontario, Canada
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Quote:
I don't understand why people take an old car and modify and change it with all kinds of new things that didn't exist when the car was made
It's called HOT RODDING. Been going on for a few years now. Don't know if it'll ever really catch on tho'. Probably just another passing fad.
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Re: Is a mini starter a worthwhile
[Re: MileHighDart]
#665180
04/10/10 09:22 PM
04/10/10 09:22 PM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,445
N.Wilkesboro,NC
DusterKrazy
master
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master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,445
N.Wilkesboro,NC
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I had to change dad's starter on his '74 Dart sport today. It has a big starter and headers. It is one of the biggest pains I've ever had to deal with. The way I did it was to take the starter apart and take it out piece by piece After all the cussing, I put a mini on it and life is good. I have used quite a few of these and wished I had one to go on all of my old Mopars. Dont ask..just do it. Worth every dime and I always use ones from the wrecking yard
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Re: Is a mini starter a worthwhile
[Re: Stanton]
#665183
04/11/10 04:10 AM
04/11/10 04:10 AM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 242
midwest
intragration
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 242
midwest
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Quote:
It's called HOT RODDING. Been going on for a few years now. Don't know if it'll ever really catch on tho'. Probably just another passing fad.
Tell that to the people who are involved in the passing fad called "restoration".
Quote:
Well that's fine if you want a bone stock grocery getter. For those of us that want to run headers, the mini-start is a godsend. I can wiggle it between my header tubes so I don't have to drop the header if the starter ever needs changing. I did not notice a difference in sound between the rebuilt stocker I had in there and the mini I installed. The old starter I had cranked the motor over well, but it started crapping out. Then lifting the full-size stocker over your head is a pita. The mini is so much easier to get into place and easier on the arms. For me, the less/easier the work is that I have to do while laying on my back, the better. To me, doing mods and little projects/upgrades is what keeps the car interesting.
If upgrading an old car to newer technology is your thing (hot rodding, I think Stanton called it...) then that's the way you should go. If you like maintaining an old car and the old technology associated with that, there's nothing wrong with that either. I also have headers. I've changed the old starter before with headers, and I'll do it again if I have to. For me, what's interesting is that the car is old, and I will continue to maintain as much old technology as possible, while still trying to go faster. (perhaps the OTHER definition of "hot rodding"?). If saving time is your only reason for switching to a new starter, buying a new car would save even more time.
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Re: Is a mini starter a worthwhile
[Re: intragration]
#665184
04/11/10 07:19 AM
04/11/10 07:19 AM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,847
Oakdale CT
gdonovan
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,847
Oakdale CT
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Quote:
If saving time is your only reason for switching to a new starter, buying a new car would save even more time.
The old car is already paid for, the new one not so much ;-)
Put me down for a mini starter too- My old school unit crapped out and I removed the headers with a saw-zall to get it out.
They were getting pretty beat.
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