High Torque Starters
 

It's time I replace my OEM starter with a high torque mini for my 455 with headers - any specific recommendations? Thanks!

My brother and I have both been very happy with the Powermaster 9510XS in our GTOs. Works great, highly reputable U.S. company, and all kinds of room with headers, etc.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/pwm-9510

I use a summit mini starter on a 10.75:1 stroker with big 2" super comp headers, its been in use for 10+ years and starts the engine great in hot or cold temps, street or track. Im pretty sure its just a reboxed powermaster for a better price.

IMI!Tom

Another vote of the Powermaster XS 9510. 1970 TA with Highports and 2" Hooker headers and it fits great!

PM 9510 here also. Works great. No headers. It has 360 deg, "infinite" clocking which I would think should help a lot with headers. RobbMc also has infinite clocking.

Another vote for IMI

IMI x 3

I bought the MSD mini when it went on clearance. It works great but only 2 clocking positions! The solenoid is to close, for my comfort, to the RA exhaust manifold. Research any of the above keeping 360* clocking in mind.

All that's great advice - I did check O'Reilly's close to my house and they have the Powermaster brand in stock, and really talked it up, especially for reliability and clocking positions; I'll look at the details and decide which way to go after I repair the burnt wires under my dash - that nightmare is in the electrical forum!

RobbMC has the nose cone option. It is the only mini starter I know of with one

IMI

Tops in customer service also.

10? years with this one on my 469 and no issues at all.

https://www.summitracing.com/search/...g&fr=part-type

Curios why you need to replace your original starter? I had my rebuilt along with the starter solenoid

Powermaster

67 GTO 461 with Dougs headers Powermaster 9510

That is correct, and I always recommend the nose support.

While I've had a couple issues with Robb's starter, things like the ball bearing falling out and causing the gear to slide on the shaft, I've always thought there has to be a better retention method for that gear, but Robb has always been great to deal with, with fast turnaround, honest and up front. No reason I wouldn't buy more starters from him. They also clock in any position. Dad has been running one on his 571 for the last decade or so, does a great job spinning that engine over.

My vote is for RobbMC with the nose cone support.

Just a quick story on those other china starters without a nose support. They retain the gear with a snap ring. Eventually that snap ring fails and the gear shoots off like a bullet. Good luck finding it. Happened to dad and luckily he was parked on the grass, which slowed down the gear when it flew off and he was able to find it, slide it back on and start the car one more time to get home. There are a lot of reasons why you should have a nose support and some of them are obvious, but one thing I never counted on was without the nose support there is nothing to keep the gear from falling completely off and never finding it, or becoming a projectile for anyone standing nearby.

Fast forward to the RobbMC starter with nose support. Gear came loose but the nose support wouldn't let the gear shoot out from under the car. Bottom line is the car would still start no matter what, just that sometimes the gear would get hung up on the flexplate and you would have to shut it off and start it again until that gear finally bounced back into it's resting position. Moral of the story is it won't leave you stranded if the gear comes loose. Turned out to be a simple fix and Robb turned it around in a couple days. Knock on wood dad hasn't had that issue for a few years now but it's just one of those funny stories not often posted around here.

I've had good luck over the years with my Tilton on my 78 for 30 years! Replaced it once then put a new solenoid on that one for a back up.. I did reclock it myself drilled and topped the mounting block hole. The MSD(that was on December sale!) looks similar and already has the ability to reclock but it hits the lip on the oil pan.

RobbMc is on the IA car. First one had an issue with s spring clip on the gear shaft they fixed . New ones have a different design. Old one back up now.

I have the RobbMc with nose support on the road race engine. The infinite clocking was a problem solver for clearing the Canton T-pan (that sticks out a couple inches). It's got enough power to start the engine with 36 deg locked timing and an ordinary 12 volt battery.

Eric