General Motors V8 Discussion Discussion relating to getting the most out of your LSx or other GM-based V8 Miata's engine

What's the best starter for LS1 swaps

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Old 07-30-2014, 10:11 PM
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Jim Stainer
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Default What's the best starter for LS1 swaps

She just went click tonight! It did start after a few clicks but need to replace the starter. So what's the best one for LS these days?
Old 07-31-2014, 07:24 AM
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I have bought a few things from these guys:Starters, Alternators and more for Cars, Trucks, Tractors and ATVs. Great price, fast shipping, NEW stuff, NO CORE CHARGE.
Old 07-31-2014, 07:26 AM
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FREE SHIPPING, too.
Old 07-31-2014, 10:10 AM
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Gonna book mark that site for sure! 55 bucks shipped WOW! I ordered starter for a 2008 6.0 and a blanket for it too. THANK YOU Tom!!!
Old 07-31-2014, 01:39 PM
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I prefer to buy things like starters and alternatoers from Autozone. They are a standard rebuild, just like everyone else. But they carry a life time warrenty. When I need another one, I just go down to my local AZ and get it. No need to wait for shipping.
Old 07-31-2014, 02:27 PM
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LOL thanks Bob! I live in tiny town in a county that doesn't have a single 4 lane road or stop light in it. If I see 10 cars on my 34 mile commute to work it's a lot of traffic and that alone is well worth the wait for shipping!

Last edited by charchri4; 07-31-2014 at 02:33 PM.
Old 07-31-2014, 02:34 PM
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OK to be fair I do have an O'reillys 25 miles from home and if I get desperate I do get to town on Sundays and could get one. For now I just park on a hill and don't worry about it.
Old 08-04-2014, 07:48 AM
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Originally Posted by .boB
I prefer to buy things like starters and alternatoers from Autozone. They are a standard rebuild, just like everyone else. But they carry a life time warrenty. When I need another one, I just go down to my local AZ and get it. No need to wait for shipping.
I do this also, but for the prices that DB will sell you a new one, for me, it is worth the wait. I can usually rebuild the old one, since there isn't a core on it, for less than $20, & keep it for a back-up.
Old 08-04-2014, 11:07 AM
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I don't know how they did it but I ordered it Thursday morning and it came Friday night. TN is a 3 day ship and that is the return address on the box but it came in one day.

The starter blanket showed up Saturday and of course the car hasn't gave me just a click when starting since they arrived! And I made quite a few trips with it over the weekend...


Should have been a bass player...

Last edited by charchri4; 08-04-2014 at 11:12 AM.
Old 08-05-2014, 07:31 AM
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I told you they had fast shipping. Maybe you should fabricate a roof rack that could attach to the front latch position on the A-pillar, rest on the roll bar, attach at the rear latch positions & the trailer hitch. LOL!!
Old 08-05-2014, 11:07 AM
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I like the way you think tbone!!!
Old 08-09-2014, 07:23 AM
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Jim,
Not seen one loaded like yours. I hope you don't carry that stuff often. I would not want to trust it to stay on. Would hate to lose any instruments.

Chuck
Old 08-09-2014, 10:40 PM
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I've done it twice now just to see if I could but the first time I only brought half the set so it didn't hang out so much. We played outside at a car show so I couldn't resist but yeah I don't want to take any chances bouncing 2 grand in drums down the street for sure. Now that I did it I doubt I would do it again with the full set like this. Thanks Chuck!
Old 08-10-2014, 09:24 PM
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Well the bad news is the 6.0 truck starter is no smaller than the F body starter


And the really bad news is the bolt pattern is different


Near as I can tell the C6 vette that I heard is smaller is the same size as both of these. Humph.
Old 08-11-2014, 07:33 AM
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Bummer. Are you going to send it back or swap out the nose?
Old 08-12-2014, 09:54 AM
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No I decided for 7 bucks in shipping I'd rather swap it out for the right one. I went back over all my numbers and I realized I ordered the wrong truck starter. I ordered one for an 02 and I should have ordered the next gen new 03+ and it would have been smaller and bolted up. I hate when I do stupid....
Old 08-13-2014, 12:59 AM
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So I got the 3rd starter in and took her down the a car show and what a surprise it just went click when I wanted to leave. It took about 5 try's and I was getting nervous. I can clearly hear the solenoid fire good and hard it just doesn't turn over. When it does finally turn over it turns fine and pops right off. I can't imagine it would be a 2nd bad starter but that's what it acts like. Any ideas?

Last edited by charchri4; 08-13-2014 at 01:05 AM.
Old 08-13-2014, 07:08 AM
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With a volt meter, be sure that you are getting 12v. on the "trigger wire" at the solenoid. Also make sure the starter has a good ground.
Old 08-13-2014, 08:14 AM
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Will do tbone but fill me in on the thought process. The solenoid is firing with a good clunk at every key turn so doesn't that mean it's doing it's job?

I thought maybe since I am still running the factory battery cable I should look at swapping that but then it finally takes it turns over plenty strong and fast so I figure I'm good with current flow.
Old 08-13-2014, 12:01 PM
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It is possible for the solenoid to get enough power to pop but not enough to turn the starter. As shown in the tutorial below.

"Note, however, it may also make “clicking” or “clunking” sound, but be getting less than 12 volts, so it’s important to use a voltmeter to test the power level."

How to Test a Starter Solenoid: 4 Steps - wikiHow
Old 08-13-2014, 07:54 PM
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1) Good link, Wolf.
2) Does the LS starter require shims like a small block Chevy? Could be tight & binding?
3) When it fails to start with the key, apply 12v to the solenoid via a remote button & see what it does.
Old 08-13-2014, 07:57 PM
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Like this one.Proform 67406 Proform Remote Starter Switch - Free Shipping on All Orders @ JEGS
Old 08-14-2014, 09:55 AM
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So I put 45 bucks in a new B+ cable on and added another ground from the battery to the chassis. Then I checked the grounds from the engine to the chassis and bingo the big one turned a half turn on the chassis side.

So I've got 125 bucks into tightening up a loose nut...

Last edited by charchri4; 08-14-2014 at 09:58 AM.
Old 08-14-2014, 10:09 AM
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Sounds like a bad/intermittent connection. I'd go around and check every nut and bolt in the circuit. Including the one behind the wheel!!

Mike
Old 08-14-2014, 10:11 AM
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LOL exactly! That loose nut causes all the problems!


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