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lightweight starter motor

Discussion in '308/328' started by eulk328, Feb 17, 2008.

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  1. eulk328

    eulk328 F1 Rookie

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    #1 eulk328, Feb 17, 2008
    Has anyone installed one of the smaller/lighter starter motors from Ferraristarters.com? What was the weight savings?
     
  2. JTranfield

    JTranfield Formula Junior

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    #2 JTranfield, Feb 17, 2008
    I think its 6.6 kilos or 14 lbs. I am also considering buying one.
     
  3. eulk328

    eulk328 F1 Rookie

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    #3 eulk328, Feb 17, 2008
    I think the lightweight ones are 9~10 lbs. so there would not be too much of a weight savings if that's the case. Hopefully we'll hear from someone that has installed it one.

     
  4. luckydynes

    luckydynes F1 Rookie

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    #4 luckydynes, Feb 17, 2008
    I have one from an alternate source with a lifetime warranty . .. so far so good.

    Think cost was like $350.

    Sean
     
  5. JTranfield

    JTranfield Formula Junior

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    #5 JTranfield, Feb 17, 2008
    Yes I thought the original was 25lbs? I seem to remember the same people offering a starter for the 246 and someone installing one.
     
  6. eulk328

    eulk328 F1 Rookie

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    #6 eulk328, Feb 17, 2008
    Thanks Sean. How much time/miles do you have on it? Do you know the weight savings? Was it completely "plug and play"? Does it spin the engine faster? Who was your source for the motor?

    Erich

     
  7. luckydynes

    luckydynes F1 Rookie

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    #7 luckydynes, Feb 17, 2008
    Had it on about 6 months, don't know the weight savings off the top of my head and doesn't seem like it spins faster. The stock starter would click when everything was really hot . . . I'd rebuilt it and had it in and out about 10 times . .. probably just needed a heat shield.

    I bought a few of 'em direct from a manufacturer but they weren't completely plug and play . . just had to index them on the "universal" adapter that they've come up with or drill a couple new holes . .. wasn't a big deal but it is a pretty tight fit.

    Post a pic of what they're selling and I'll post a pic of mine to see if they're the same.

    Sean
     
  8. eulk328

    eulk328 F1 Rookie

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    #8 eulk328, Feb 17, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    http://hometown.aol.com/martingf/Ferraristarters.html


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  9. luckydynes

    luckydynes F1 Rookie

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    #9 luckydynes, Feb 17, 2008

    Yeah that's it . . I'll post a pic of it installed . . . I don't have a heat shield on the front header and that helped . .. you might not have one since you're EURO . . heat shields might be in the way.


    Sean
     
  10. mk e

    mk e F1 World Champ

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    #10 mk e, Feb 17, 2008
    I need to buy one....although since I need to do some flywheel work as well I may just buy a $150 starter from summit and make a flywheel to fit it.
     
  11. luckydynes

    luckydynes F1 Rookie

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    #11 luckydynes, Feb 17, 2008
    You should contact them anyway to see if they have one for your application ;)
     
  12. eulk328

    eulk328 F1 Rookie

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    #12 eulk328, Feb 17, 2008
    Do you mean the heat shielding directly around the headers (welded on)? I do have that because mine is a Swiss Market not a "pure" Euro :-(


     
  13. eulk328

    eulk328 F1 Rookie

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    #13 eulk328, Feb 17, 2008
    you're a madman.............................................................................................. I like that.


     
  14. luckydynes

    luckydynes F1 Rookie

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    #14 luckydynes, Feb 17, 2008
    Yes . . I'll post a pic for ya.
     
  15. mk e

    mk e F1 World Champ

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    #15 mk e, Feb 17, 2008
    they do, $425 it I stick with the 400 flywheel.....and I might.
     
  16. FasterIsBetter

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    #16 FasterIsBetter, Feb 17, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Last winter, while doing the overhaul on my '78 GTS, I installed a Hi Torq starter from Gustafson Specialty Products, Gloucester, MA.

    http://www.gustafsonmachine.com/pages/1/index.htm

    He manufactures the adapter plates to fit the car and the gear that mates with the flywheel. I have used his high torq starters in several Jaguars over the years, and they are outstanding, extremely reliable, and do turn the engine over much better than the old starters do. Plus, they only weight about 9 pounds, vs. 25 for the old starter, and they are much smaller overall. It is a straight bolt-up change. If you call Keith Gustafson, he can give you the name of his distributor(s). I got one directly from him as he didn't have a distributor for the Ferrari starters last winter, but he may now. He's a very nice guy, just tell him what you're looking for.

    As for the application on the 308, the high torque starter definitely turns the engine over better than the old Bosch starter. No question about it. I'm very please with the change, and well worth the money, IMHO.
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  17. eulk328

    eulk328 F1 Rookie

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    #17 eulk328, Feb 17, 2008
    Thanks for the info. Steve. Great photos too.


     
  18. snj5

    snj5 F1 World Champ

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    #18 snj5, Feb 17, 2008
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    I am going to a Gustafson starter as we rebuild my engine over the next three weeks as well - Norwoods has even used them on Daytona V-12s. James says "It doesn't sound like a Ferrari starter, but then this one always starts!"

    It's a nice feeling to walk out to the car knowing it's always going to start...
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  19. eulk328

    eulk328 F1 Rookie

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    #19 eulk328, Feb 17, 2008
    Yeah, but at some point we don't want to get too far away from the origins of our tempermental mistress. Sometimes we all need that possible sense of rejection ("I've got a headache."), that anticipation ("will she, won't she?") If we make these things too reliable, too predictable, we might as well buy an NSX for our weekend love affair. :)
     
  20. snj5

    snj5 F1 World Champ

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    #20 snj5, Feb 17, 2008
    Yes, but how many times on a cold morning you really really needed your mistress to turn over and she wouldn't?
    :)
    I'm just buying her a piece of Jewelry so she will be more likely to...

    :)

    Russ
     
  21. eulk328

    eulk328 F1 Rookie

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    #21 eulk328, Feb 17, 2008
    Not going to touch that one. Could be family members on F-Chat :)
     
  22. luckydynes

    luckydynes F1 Rookie

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    #22 luckydynes, Feb 17, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  23. eulk328

    eulk328 F1 Rookie

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    #23 eulk328, Feb 17, 2008
    Thanks for the photos Sean. I take it then that the top of the new starter assembly sits higher up (closer) to the header pipes than the original starter motor, is that right? Guess I'll have to get under my car and have a look.

    Erich

     

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