[goatwgn]

Have any of you used the Summit brand mini starter? If so, how do you like it? how has it held up for you? I am running Ram Air manifolds on my 455 in my '66 Tempest Custom wagon and the factory style starters only last a few years. The one in there now is getting a little slow when hot. And do any of you know who make this for them? Appreciate any feedback. I like the "sound" of the factory starter, but it sits right up against my manifolds.

[esahlin]

Here is a thread where I talk about a hot start/idle timing issue it turned out that the internals of my Summit mini starter were corroded rendering it to not start with the engine warm. I am guessing that the internal corrosion was caused by the car not being driven much and the rainy weather.

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=795051

[goatwgn]

How do you like your Powermaster starter in comparison so far?

[ta man]

I'd suggest a Robb Mc starter.. and clock the solenoid down away from the heat.

[ponyakr]

I've bought 3 of the Summit starters. The 1st one worked great on my bracket 455 with #215 heads. Whirled it over, even when hot. Also worked good on a dirt track engine. I now have one on my bracket 455/6x head engine. Works great.

I really can't say about the longevity, since I've never used one on a street car. All of 'em I've seen must have the nose clocked almost 180 degrees. Won't bolt up, as they come out of the box. But, there's only 2 allen head bolts that holes it on, so no problem.

I fought those old stock type starters for years. Had to drop out of several races because of starter and/or solenoid failure.

My local starter shop guy built me a stock type, back in the late 80's, that worked good. He said it was a Caddy starter, and had the biggest entrails of any GM starter. Maybe from a 472 or 500 ci. He showed me the inside of a regular GM "high torque" starter, compared to the Caddy starter. You can easily see the difference. The starter worked good for a while, then the solenoid would give up. He said there was nothing he could do about the solenoid problem. So, I always took a couple of new spares with me to the races. Wish I'da had one of these Summit starters back then.

[indymanjoe]

2 years on my summit mini.I bought it used from a friend and it was never installed.I also have Dougs headers ceramic coated...

[TCSGTO]

I have had the Summit starter for close to ten years. I'm probably jinxing myself but it turns as fast now as when it was new. You can wire it to use a Ford solenoid where some of the mini starters won't work with one. They're a great value for the money IMO

[goatwgn]

Good advice here. I never had any trouble with a new Delco starter I bought from a Pontiac dealer back in the 1980's, all the way until 2003 or so when I installed the Ram Air manifolds. Been through 2 (going on the third) since then. These manifolds just about touch the starter. I also have the Milodon kicked out oil pan, so the big starter is a pain to R & R.

[leeklm]

I have the summit starter on current car for two years, and had one on previous car for a few years. All good.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

[misaac]

Been using the IMI HiTorque starter for over 10 years. No problems and would buy again for next project.

[goatwgn]

Going to go with the Ford style solenoid on this as well when I do it.

[goatman65]

Best part of my Summit mini is that it weighs much less than the Delco. I can lay under the car and put up on with one hand. I always had to rest the Delco on a floor jack to lift it in place. I'm getting old and weak,lol.

[ta man]

Originally Posted by goatman65

Best part of my Summit mini is that it weighs much less than the Delco. I can lay under the car and put up on with one hand. I always had to rest the Delco on a floor jack to lift it in place. I'm getting old and weak,lol.

I hear ya...my battery and starter weigh 23lbs combined..lighter is good!

[chrisp]

Originally Posted by misaac

Been using the IMI HiTorque starter for over 10 years. No problems and would buy again for next project.

IMI in a 461 locked @ 34degrees 5 years trouble free & excellent repair / support if needed .

[stockapearing455]

I have had one for 5 years.

[chris malish]

I have found the Jeg's version to fit better out of the box and hold up better. It's about the only part I buy from Jeg's, but they have worked so well I have bought 10 over the years for different projects. Had two summits and they gave me problems.

[HWYSTR455]

Have a Summit mini in the 442, been like 5 years, it's a daily driver, has about 23-24k miles on it now, no issues.

(Olds one is the same Pontiacs use)

.

[goatwgn]

Originally Posted by HWYSTR455

Have a Summit mini in the 442, been like 5 years, it's a daily driver, has about 23-24k miles on it now, no issues.

(Olds one is the same Pontiacs use)

.

Have you used it along with the Ford solenoid? I am going to use one to have as a junction to hook my chassis power wire to so it doesn't run near the Ram Air manifolds. And I may do my Olds like this as well.

[goatwgn]

Originally Posted by chris malish

I have found the Jeg's version to fit better out of the box and hold up better. It's about the only part I buy from Jeg's, but they have worked so well I have bought 10 over the years for different projects. Had two summits and they gave me problems.

No fitment issues? Did you have to reclock it? Did you use the same amount of shims as the stock starter?