High torque starter install
 

I was having some hot start issues with my 76- 3.2 powered 911. (I should actually say warm start, because the car started fine until it got up to around 190) After checking all connections, grounds and replacing the battery, I determined that it was more than likely the starter or solenoid. Being that the motor is an 84 with the original starter, I guess 23 years of faithful cranking is pretty good. I decided to spend the extra money and get the high torque starter. The first thing I noticed is how much lighter it is. It also sounds completely different while cranking. But most importantly it starts cold, warm and yes even hot. I even went to a smaller battery which cut even more weight. Very good upgrade for those who may be considering this.

And unlike the stock unit, you can rebuild it (top or bottom) with a kit of parts from Toyota. Pennies on the dollar compared to replacing another stock unit after it cooks.

Then again, like you say, the stock units are pretty robust.

Did mine last weekend, a very worthwhile upgrade. I put a video up on YouTube comparing them:

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Rodsrsr,
I've switched to the hi torque starter too, but kept the original battery as I use the car in temps down to about 25F. I don't know where you are located but have you experienced any cold weather since the change in batteries, and was there a problem? Which battery did you put in?

No Paul I have'nt experienced any extreme cold since I left the mid-west. Im now in Northern Cal where it doesnt get very cold, so Im able to get away with a slightly smaller battery.

My high torque starter was reliable for about the first 6 months, then I started getting a grind (instead of a start) every 4th or 5th time I turned the key. A recent post on the subject found that the pinion does not extend far enough to fully engage the starter ring gear. What's odd is that some have had this experience and some have not. I got sick of the embarrassing screech and feared that the starter would eventually fail, so I went back to a stock unit. When I pulled the high torque starter the pinion gear was indeed rounded on the leading edge.

I've had mine for... um... 8 years. Damn! works like a champ and still looks brand new!

-Michael

May be good advice to compare any replacement starter with the existing unit just to make sure engagement depth is within specs. Since assembly of a starter unit is mass production, there's always a chance for a screw up.

Sherwood

That's excellent advice. Not only was I naive to the potential issue, but I had no starter (stock or otherwise) when I installed mine. Hopefully others can learn from this.

I assume these are the $119 high torque starters off of ebay right?

Wayne has 'em right here.

I suspect that the variance in fit and quality is the result of different companies modifying these things to work in our cars.

I don't know what the deal is with the problem others have had with the pinion gears. On my car, I -think- it is due to no ring gear (!). The starter extended far enough (when new and not worn) to engage the toothed ring on the flywheel - it apparently has the same exact teeth as the ring gear.

No early porsche, they are not the e-bay starters. A good high torque starter from a reputable merchant is well over 200