Different size starters?
 

I think my starter finally went south on my 83 944, so I ordered a used one from a fellow board member off an 86 turbo. The starter that was on my 83 was very heavy and bulky, while the one off the 86 is much lighter weight and smaller in size. It also takes a couple extra cranks to get the car started. My question is, is this OK? A mechanic fried of mine said I could be chewing up the flywheel, but I didn't see any damage upon inspection. I might be being paranoid, but I'd like to get some input. TIA.

I prefer to use "Re-manufactured" starters by Bosch. Parts that wear under normal use are replaced with new parts.

Rebuilt starters are cleaned and painted. If a part is bad it will be replaced--maybe with a good used part and not new.

Get the top of the line starter at Ideolas Garage:
Ideola's Garage: Hi-Torque Starters for Transaxle Porsches

If the starter you put on "takes a couple of extra cranks" you may want to change it.

GL
John

Does the turbo have a different tooth count than the N/A?

i don't know about the tooth count, but the same starter is listed on pelican for NA and the Turbo

My early NA starter was definately larger than my turbo starter. I believe that 83 to early 85 take a larger starter.

The starters are interchangable, though the ring gears on the pressure plate are 132 teeth on the 951 and 130 for the n/a if i remember right.

If the car seems to backfire a little on startup, this is known as starter kickback. The smaller starters put out high EMF compared to the larger ones. This causes interference with the speed / ref sensors and can cause the car to fire an injector at the wrong time. There is an updated speed / reference sensor bracket that has uses a special sleeve to shield the reference sensor.

I put one of those from Ideola in my 87 Turbo...all you do is index it and go...you won't be able to reuse the heat shield, IIRC...unless you modify it but it was pretty easy replacement. I think that thing pull less from the battery too - starts right up fine.

The Ideolas Garage starter claims to be lightweight. I just weighed mine, it's 8 pounds. Maybe lightweight compared to the early ones?
Hmmm.... A "backup" starter would come in handy.

Sorry for the delay in getting back, but its been a rough week. I'm leaning towards the Ideolas starter, since I'd like to avoid rebuilt or remaned starts. I'd order a new one, but that doesn't seem possible anymore, and even the solenoids are becoming harder to find. In the mean time, I put my spare starter on, and it works, just takes maybe 3 seconds longer to start. Hopefully it holds out for awhile, it's embarrassing asking people to push your car for you, so you can start it. Thanks for all the imput guys.

Thanks for clearing up the differences Techno Duck, no backfire, just a noticeably longer start time.

Choinga, what did you mean index it?

update: I ordered a starter from Ideolas, but now I just need some time to install it. The thing looks cool as hell, and I can honestly say I've never been impressed with the way a starter looked before. It it performs as well as it looks, I'll be really happy.

If it were me I'd stick with the old heavy style because they didn't have the kick-back problems like Techno Duck mentioned, especially since your crank sensors don't have the shielding that the cars with the late style starters do.

Just an FYI, YMMV hopefully

Pelican sells the sleeve (944-101-320-00-OEM Sender Sleeve, 924S, 944/S/S2)
or you usually can get a used for $20--some times with the bracket +$$.

The bell housing surrounds the reference sensors and the bracket. You may not get any interference with the high torque starter.

GL
John

Got it, installed it, and so far no problems. No kickback or any other issues.