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Mini Starter Worth It? #1764988
02/27/15 11:39 PM
02/27/15 11:39 PM
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 265
Philadelphia, PA
GTXKARL Offline OP
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GTXKARL  Offline OP
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Philadelphia, PA
Hello. I have a 1970 Plymouth GTX 440 stickshift and I was wondering if it was worth putting a mini-starter in? What would the modifications be to the engine block or to the starter? I've seen a mini starter on eBay for $60 plus $7.95 shipping. And is it the same starter for automatic and manual? Thanks.

Re: Mini Starter Worth It? [Re: GTXKARL] #1764989
02/28/15 12:19 AM
02/28/15 12:19 AM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,319
Puyallup, WA
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StealthWedge67 Offline
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Puyallup, WA
I'd say it depends on what your doing with the car. If its a driver or a race car,... YES! Saves weight and more reliable starter. If its a restoration, no. originality counts.

I put one in my Satellite a few years back. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Less weight, more room, more reliability.

No modifications at all. Just unbolt the old 20lb anchor, and bolt in the newer, lighter, more powerful unit.


LemonWedge - Street heavy / Strip ready - 11.07 @ 120
Re: Mini Starter Worth It? [Re: StealthWedge67] #1764990
02/28/15 12:23 AM
02/28/15 12:23 AM
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,035
Missouri U.S.A.
7
71yelladustr Offline
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71yelladustr  Offline
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Missouri U.S.A.
unless you are going for a concours resto I don't see any reason NOT to use one. Same starter fits manual and autos.

Last edited by 71yelladustr; 02/28/15 12:28 AM.

392 gen III hemi on E-85 727 trans Dana 60
10.02@134
Re: Mini Starter Worth It? [Re: GTXKARL] #1764991
02/28/15 12:46 AM
02/28/15 12:46 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,069
Washington State
70Duster440 Offline
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Washington State
Totally worth it - unless you like that old gear reduction sound. Turns the engine faster.

Depending on the terminal style of starter you're looking at you may need to shorten the main terminal or just remove the terminal extension - or do nothing at all. On mine, I shortened the main stud for a little more block clearance.


Re: Mini Starter Worth It? [Re: 71yelladustr] #1764992
02/28/15 12:46 AM
02/28/15 12:46 AM
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,373
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
D_C Offline
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Rancho Cucamonga, CA
I have one on my '71 Charger and some previous owner mounted one in my '74 Power Wagon W200 truck.

Agree with above. Saves weight up front, IIRC lower current draw, (usually) more clearance for headers, etc. It's a Nippondenso mini starter.

Also, if you don't mind rebuilt, you may get a better price and find one at a local autoparts store and therefore avoid shipping costs. I think you ask for a Starter for a 1988 Dodge Diplomat or Dodge pickup truck at your local parts store.

Here is a link to the Moparts Tech Archive on the subject. Lists the vehicles that came from the factory with them.

I got mine from an Autozone and it was around $30.

Moparts Tech Archive Ministarter page

DC

Re: Mini Starter Worth It? [Re: D_C] #1764993
02/28/15 01:08 AM
02/28/15 01:08 AM
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beepilot Offline
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Absolutely worth it! Got mine from Autozone for a Dakota , can't remember year etc. Works better, so much lighter and so much smaller for increased clearances for headers, one arm installation a breeze. I think mine came with something on the terminals I had to remove but very minor. It has been on for well over 10 years. 71 Charger Superbee 440

Last edited by beepilot; 02/28/15 01:09 AM.
Re: Mini Starter Worth It? [Re: D_C] #1764994
02/28/15 01:09 AM
02/28/15 01:09 AM
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 14,889
up yours
Supercuda Offline
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I bought my first mini starter back in the late 80's. It would not bolt to my 11" flywheel stick car. That one used a direct drive starter, not the more common gear reduction setup.


They say there are no such thing as a stupid question.
They say there is always the exception that proves the rule.
Don't be the exception.
Re: Mini Starter Worth It? [Re: 70Duster440] #1764995
02/28/15 01:09 AM
02/28/15 01:09 AM
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Posts: 5,130
Chicago Blackhawks
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hemicar1971 Offline
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Chicago Blackhawks
I like my mini starter and I did take the terminal extension off. Steel block Hemi, Lakewood scattershield, hooker headers, 12 1/2 compression, works great it has lasted a lot longer than the old gear reduction starter.


1971 HEMI E BODY REGISTRY
Re: Mini Starter Worth It? [Re: D_C] #1764996
02/28/15 01:15 AM
02/28/15 01:15 AM
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,035
Missouri U.S.A.
7
71yelladustr Offline
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Missouri U.S.A.
Actually there are 2 sizes of mini starters. The early versions (88 to early 90s) are bigger than the later versions. Either will work fine. Also don't be afraid of a used salvage unit which can be had for a song at your local salvage yard off of a mag V6 or V8. Install a fresh set of solenoid contacts for a few bucks to freshen it up and you will be good to go for years to come.


392 gen III hemi on E-85 727 trans Dana 60
10.02@134
Re: Mini Starter Worth It? [Re: GTXKARL] #1764997
02/28/15 01:40 AM
02/28/15 01:40 AM
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 18,880
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RSNOMO Offline
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If you got headers...

And you drive on the street...

(And you got a heat-shield)...


Absolutely...

Re: Mini Starter Worth It? [Re: 71yelladustr] #1764998
02/28/15 02:40 AM
02/28/15 02:40 AM
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,167
Maryland
GO_Fish Offline
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Maryland
Quote:

Also don't be afraid of a used salvage unit which can be had for a song at your local salvage yard off of a mag V6 or V8.




FI Mag motors start very quickly, little wear on the mini starters. I'm running a salvage mini on my 360 Barracuda. Took off the short extension at the terminals and it was a bolt on. Higher torque spins the engine faster as soon as you touch the key (big improvement). This comes with a trade off, the mini's won't spin over if the battery voltage is weak (OE gear reduction unit would keep on cranking longer, albeit ever slower).


Scott B. "I'm a self-made man... I started with nothing, and I still have most of it!" 68 360 rusty B'cuda 'vert (GO Fish)13.59@ 98.72 mph 69 340 GTS stock 14.18@ 95.60 mph 01 5.9L Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4x4 01 3.5L 300M 16.23@ 86.97 mph
Re: Mini Starter Worth It? [Re: GO_Fish] #1764999
02/28/15 05:29 PM
02/28/15 05:29 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,132
Niles , Ohio
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therocks Offline
oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
therocks  Offline
oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
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Niles , Ohio
Yes they are golden.Run one for a 360 as they are a heavy duty type.My 440 I have a reman for a Dodge truck 360.Been in since 2000 and cranks my 12.5 440 like a /6.Had one in the kids 413 from 440 Source and it was 4 years old when he sold the car.Rocky


Chrysler Firepower
Re: Mini Starter Worth It? [Re: GTXKARL] #1765000
02/28/15 05:56 PM
02/28/15 05:56 PM
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 220
Aurora, CO
jbeintherockies Offline
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Aurora, CO
If it is a permanent magnet style mini-starter and you plan on using the factory Chrysler starter solenoid, I believe you need to use a relay. The relay would be placed in between the Chrylser starter solenoid and the starter in the starter solenoid wire circuit.

Re: Mini Starter Worth It? [Re: jbeintherockies] #1765001
02/28/15 05:58 PM
02/28/15 05:58 PM
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 14,889
up yours
Supercuda Offline
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up yours
Quote:

If it is a permanent magnet style mini-starter and you plan on using the factory Chrysler starter solenoid, I believe you need to use a relay. The relay would be placed in between the Chrylser starter solenoid and the starter in the starter solenoid wire circuit.




Nope.

You only need to hook the fat battery cable to the big stud and the smaller wire to the smaller stud. No electrical mods needed.


They say there are no such thing as a stupid question.
They say there is always the exception that proves the rule.
Don't be the exception.
Re: Mini Starter Worth It? [Re: Supercuda] #1765002
02/28/15 10:57 PM
02/28/15 10:57 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,132
Niles , Ohio
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therocks Offline
oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
therocks  Offline
oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
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Niles , Ohio
What Supercuda said.No mods needed.Rocky


Chrysler Firepower
Re: Mini Starter Worth It? [Re: GTXKARL] #1765003
02/28/15 11:54 PM
02/28/15 11:54 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 643
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
plazomat Offline
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Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Do it....smaller lighter cheaper spins motor faster - no more painfull sounds from relic starter and hoping that this is not the day that the old beast leaves ya stranded...

Love mine - straight from salvage yard into the car 5 years ago - bought a second as a spare but haven't even taken off the parts shelf to look at it ...do it.

Plaz

Re: Mini Starter Worth It? [Re: plazomat] #1765004
03/01/15 01:13 AM
03/01/15 01:13 AM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,198
Harrisburg, Pa.
screamindriver Offline
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If worth it is defined by not needing to take a header off to change a heat damaged original style starter then yes it's worth it...

Re: Mini Starter Worth It? [Re: GTXKARL] #1765005
03/11/15 09:15 AM
03/11/15 09:15 AM
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 35
Sweden
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Challengerswede Offline
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Sweden
Definitely worth it.

I got sick of heat soak issues with the original one, totally untrustable.
Then switched to a mini and had no problems since then!


Check out my Challenger blog at www.my72challenger.com Don't forget to subscribe and leave a comment!
Re: Mini Starter Worth It? [Re: Challengerswede] #1765006
03/11/15 09:21 AM
03/11/15 09:21 AM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,143
Port Saint Lucie, FL
ChallengerGary Offline
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ChallengerGary  Offline
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Port Saint Lucie, FL
100% worth it. As others have said, I would never use a regular stater again (unless of course it is for a full blown restoration). Any car you plan on driving should have one.

Re: Mini Starter Worth It? [Re: ChallengerGary] #1765007
03/11/15 09:44 AM
03/11/15 09:44 AM
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 21,318
Manitoba, Canada
DaytonaTurbo Offline
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Manitoba, Canada
Totally worth it. I grabbed one out of the junkyard off a 90's dodge ram van. 20 bucks. Been running it for years. Turns the engine over way quicker, smaller, way lighter and easier to install while laying on my back! I'm also able to weasel mine out with the headers installed.

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