Need a new starter - Hi-Torque or rebuilt Bosch?
 

Evening All,

Turns out the starter needs to be replaced in my 79' SC. I've been doing some searching but looking for an updated opinion. I'll be installing it myself and I'm a novice wrencher so ease of install is a factor. What are peoples thoughts on the Hi Torque starter Vs. a rebuilt Bosch? Seeking opinions and advice please.

Not sure if one is necessarily easier to install than the other, but something to consider is the change in startup sound. I decided not to change after hearing the difference in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1yYxhpbD2A

I changed out my stock starter last year and replaced it with an IMI High Torque starter and have been extremely satisfied. I considered the rebuilt Bosch but heard there were a few quality issues at the time, don't recall exactly what it was but decided to avoid. Maybe sorted out by now.

Edit: The IMI was slightly shorter and the cables were a bit of a stretch to fit. Think I had to lengthen one a few inches but it's a bit hazy now.

Dump the Bosch, go for the high torque. It works when things are heat soaked. It works when it is 0 degrees.

I have two Bosch starters on a shelf. I should get rid of them.

Maybe I could take one off your hands when mine inevitably fails :)

Just installed the WOSP hi torque starter. Sound is definitely more modern sounding and higher pitched but dang does it start much easier. It spins the f- outta that engine. It's also like 6 pounds lighter.

The install is a total pain unless you have a lift. I did it on my back with jack stands and I was sore for a day after. Took about 3 hours total including goofing around with jack stands.

Just be sure to buy a quality high torque starter because some of them are in such bad quality that the starter gear that engages the flywheel tends to break and can come of. My high torque starter had quality and the gear almost came of. You can imagine what would happen in the bell housing if had….
Went back to the stock Bosch starter and have never looked back.

Good luck :)


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go hi torque and light weight.
If you're not a stickler for originality, a startermotor is a very good place to update and lose quite a few pounds.
Mine is a high torque, weighs little over two kilos.
Very happy with it.

High torque.

Hi Torque

Have hi torque in both cars. Work great. Light weight and smaller size make for easier install. More working room. You can index the hi torque starter to line up the holes. Base rotates in relation to the motor. Always works when hot. Could care less how it sounds.

Go with the High Torque... My 86 Targa is stock so when my Bosch started giving me intermittent problems ( heat soak), I had it rebuilt. A few days after installing the rebuilt Bosch, I started the engine but could hear the starter motor still running? I turned off and pulled the key out of the ignition switch but the starter was still running. It stopped only after I disconnected the battery. I had had enough! Consequently, I bought a High Torque unit from our host. Installation was a little more difficult due to the different shape of the starter and the position of the solenoid connections. I had to slightly re-route the Battery wire to get it to reach the new High Torque and had to add a shorts abrasion resistant sleeve to the battery wire where it contacted the body in the new route. Other than that, the installation is straight forward. Yes the sound is different, but I have run the High Torque starter for over a year now with absolutely no issues.

This... I love the original startup sound too.

Thanks All, I think I'm leaning toward the high torque version but this is the only one I see from our host and it's a No-Name?

https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/PELGESTHT.htm?pn=PEL-GE-STHT&SVSVSI=792&fs=0

Also, there have been some comments on other threads about jumping connectors? How many does the stock have Vs. the Hi-torque? Are people just referring to joining two wires into one? Any info is appreciated.

I'd avoid the Bosch...I bought one from a reputable local Porsche shop and it didn't last very long, eventually there was a part near the pinion gear that fell out and on occasion would cause a horrendous noise which I assumed was my new starter ring going bad. Have been happy with the hi torque version purchased from our host. The only thing I don't like about the hi torque is, in my case, I had to add a battery cable extension since the factory cable was not quite long enough to reach the connecting bolt. Then it turned out the extension cable from O'reillys was faulty, if I wiggled it around it would lose connection. New one seems to have solved the problem. BTW...I hate starter issues!

I take them to my local rebuilder. $75-125 and they work like new for another 40 years.

Wire install is straight forward. Here is the WOSP from our host:

https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/WSPLMS1102.htm?pn=WSP-LMS1102&SVSVSI=782&fs=0

Red (alternator) and Black (main battery power line) sit on one copper stud (don't over tighten), yellow is the ignition and connects directly to the spade connector.

No custom wiring was required at all for my 75. Plug and play. Also no clocking was required.

Don't you need a piggyback spade connector for the yellow wires? See this article:
https://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/911_starter_install/911_starter_install.htm

And this is a good thread too: http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/424087-high-torque-starter-install.html

Mark

The high torque was slower to start my 3.2. I put a Bosch back on when the high torque needed a rebuild. Much happier now with the Bosch.

Porsche tested the OEM starter under all the aforementioned weather conditions, below 0 or above 100.

My take on this is that the classic part belongs in the classic car. Having said that, if you want the hi-torque experience, go for the hi-torque, absolutely nothing wrong with that but given your consideration is "ease on install", do search for ring gear wear and starter before you decide.