Mini starters

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Princess Valiant

Princess Valiant

A.K.A. Rainy Day Auto
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So I am kinda torn when it comes to the topic of mini starters.

On one hand I usually like OE stuff because I always say nothing fits like an original part and it's safer (especially OE wheels) because it was engineered specifically to be there.

On the other hand, I like the smaller size of the mini starters and the way they seem to turn the engine faster with more oomph.

What's your opinions on mini starters??
Like them, don't like them??
Do you see any advantages or disadvantages over the originals??

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Mini starters are original. Just later model original that also happen to fit earlier model engines. I don't see the problem.
 
RustyRatRod said:
Mini starters are original. Just later model original that also happen to fit earlier model engines. I don't see the problem.
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AMEN BROTHER, THE GOOD ONES ARE USUALLY STRONGER ,'' IN MY EXPERIANCE'' TOO.
I DONT HAVE ROOM FOR A BIG STOCK STARTER ANYWAY.
 
I run the mini starters on all my small blocks. Smaller, lighter, crank faster. Win/win in my book.
 
Ill never use anything else at this point. Especially since all my junk has headers, is modified, etc. they're stronger, lighter and smaller. Unless you're restoring a car, its a no brainer, in my humble opinion.
 
hosehead said:
Ill never use anything else at this point. Especially since all my junk has headers, is modified, etc. they're stronger, lighter and smaller. Unless you're restoring a car, its a no brainer, in my humble opinion.
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Hey Corey, hows the car coming along? u go to work yet ?
 
RustyRatRod said:
Mini starters are original. Just later model original that also happen to fit earlier model engines. I don't see the problem.
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hit the nail on the head............you don't have to buy some aftermarket overpriced mini starter. Just the stock starter from a '95'ish era dakota small block.
I like the mini starters, as to having way faster cranking and turn over of the motor. The big old stock starter always makes it sound like your battery is half dead....lol
 
I like the sound of the old starters. Reminds me of -30 days starting my 68 coronet on the street to move it so it wouldnt get towed. Pumping the gas pedal frantically hoping for that first fire. Thinking back, it would have started quicker with the newer style starter.
 
I feel that the stock Dodge starter from a late 80s truck was one of the best changes I made to my Duster!

Cley
 
Yep. Another vote for mini. Plus its readily available at stores if you need one on the road.
 
Mini if you are running headers. Barely can fit a mini in and out of my headers (one car has Doug's and other car TTI) unless I am doind something wrong. Factory exhaust manifold I would still run a mini off of a dakota. I am cheap and they are plentiful at my local junkyards.
 
First up grade to my slant was a v8 starter off a 96 dodge Dakota 360 truck, never go back to the big slug starter
 
memike said:
First up grade to my slant was a v8 starter off a 96 dodge Dakota 360 truck, never go back to the big slug starter
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I'm with you there Mike. I put one on my 66 273. Spins it right over! I do miss the Wing ding, ding ding noise but I can live with that! LOL
 
The mini starters are great.

Besides spinning faster and lighter weight, they rob way less electricity from your start cycle and provide your ignition system and coil the juice it needs for great spark at startup.

Starts the mopars like they have fuel injection . . .
 
I've used one on my Dart Sport 360 car for several years now with no issues.
It sure spins the 7.8:1 engine over quickly!
The way the battery cables hook up to it on the starter side is different than original, but some creative re routing made it an easy installation.
I do miss the old gear reduction starter sound though.
It kinda makes a Chrysler a Chrysler with the sound it makes..........
 
The small Mopar starter turns my 12.5:1 CR 440 over with 18 degrees Initial timing with no problem. I've had them on all my Mopar junk for 30 years.
 
The duster yes...
The old trucks, I have to many old style staters to go through to go buy one...
 
Old starter was like a Model T: big displacement 4-no power
New minis are like modern 4 cylinders: small, efficient and 3x hp per cid

I can't find a reason to run an old starter unless your the 1 engine combo that needed that weird old direct drive starter..66 hemi/4sp?
 
I love factory mini starters. So much so in fact...the guy at the parts house asked me "How many damn 92 Dodge vans with a 5.2 do you have?!" LOL. That's the vehicle I use for them to look one up if I go there to buy one. I currently have 4 or 5 in stock in the garage, and one is soon to go on my 71 Challenger conv to get rid of the old RAR RAR RAR sound, and make it start a lot faster.
 
JDMopar said:
I love factory mini starters. So much so in fact...the guy at the parts house asked me "How many damn 92 Dodge vans with a 5.2 do you have?!" LOL. That's the vehicle I use for them to look one up if I go there to buy one. I currently have 4 or 5 in stock in the garage, and one is soon to go on my 71 Challenger conv to get rid of the old RAR RAR RAR sound, and make it start a lot faster.
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:rofl: I have 2 96 Dakotas with a v6 but I have bought a half dozen starters. LOL
 
DemonK9 said:
hit the nail on the head............you don't have to buy some aftermarket overpriced mini starter. Just the stock starter from a '95'ish era dakota small block.
I like the mini starters, as to having way faster cranking and turn over of the motor. The big old stock starter always makes it sound like your battery is half dead....lol
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Lol, My old lazy sounding "wa..aw, wa..aw" starter has been on so long it may be rusted on by now! :)
 
I heard an old Plymouth cranking over in the garage next to my work site and knew it was an old Mopar. Painfully slow: Raar-Raar-Raar-t-t-t-t-t-t...Raar-raar-raar-raaaar-t-t-t-t..."FU*K"! Ha, I had to laugh out loud. I ended up jumping him from my work truck. Was a 63 B of some sort. He also put a shot of gas in the carb and it started right up. Mini starter (and gas) for the win!
 
Well, it seems unanimous, and I agree, one of the best upgrades I made, lighter, smaller, more powerful, where's the downside?
 
Only downside is its not 100% original. Very obvious on a slant 6, cant miss it. But, If your not restoring a car to 100% authentic, then theres no downside.
 
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