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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
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Mini Starters??

  • Thread starter Thread starter FordGuy88
  • Start date Start date Apr 18, 2008
F

FordGuy88

New Member
Nov 15, 2004
241
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Park Ridge, IL
Apr 18, 2008
#1
  • Apr 18, 2008
  • #1
Has any one used this starter before? If so how is it?

http://forums.corral.net/forums/showthread.php?t=961324&highlight=starter

Or does any one know of any good high torque mini starters for a good price? Im looking for one to use on my foxbody. Let me know if any one knows where to get a good priced one or if any one has one for sale.
 
B

bknauss71

New Member
Apr 16, 2008
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0
indianapolis,in
Apr 18, 2008
#2
  • Apr 18, 2008
  • #2
well on the mini starters we use them on our circle track cars they do the job but they are not as durable as the regular one but less weight. problems of the past we had with them make sure you have good gear and its a brand where you can get parts for not an elcheapo. ive ran one for a couple years now went through a couple solinoids and aswell as the teeth. but good luck on your venture they do work good with high compression systems
 
5

5.0ina66

Member
Jun 6, 2003
664
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Ohio
Apr 18, 2008
#3
  • Apr 18, 2008
  • #3
FordGuy88 said:
Or does any one know of any good high torque mini starters for a good price? Im looking for one to use on my foxbody. Let me know if any one knows where to get a good priced one or if any one has one for sale.
Click to expand...
Damn, you got good timing! I spent yesterday afternoon looking through cross-reference books to find one that would work.

I knew 1993-1995 5.0GT's used factory ministarters. What I didn't know is that this means you can go to your local junkyard and look at damn near anything that's RWD and newer than 1990, 99% of all Fords use the same starter.

Here's a partial list:

1992 Bronco 300, 5.0, 5.8
1993-1996 Bronco 5.0 & 5.8
1990-1991 Country Squire Wagon 5.0L
1996 Econoline E-SuperDuty 5.8
1992-1996 Econoline E-150 300, 5.0, 5.8
1997-2002 Econoline E-150 4.2
1992-1996 Econoline E-250 300, 5.8
1997-2002 Econoline E-250 4.2
1992-1996 Econoline E-350 300, 5.8
1992-1996 F-150 300, 5.0, 5.8
1997-1998 F-150 4.2 2WD & 4WD
1992-1997 F-250 300, 5.0, 5.8
1992-1996 F-350 300, 5.8
1997 F350 5.8
1990-1991 Crown Victoria 5.0
1992-1995 Mustang 5.0L
1996-2004 Mustang 3.8L
1989-1990 THUNDERBIRD SC 3.8L
1990-1993 THUNDERBIRD SC 3.8 & 5.0L
1994-1995 THUNDERBIRD SC 3.8 & 3.8L
1996-1997 THUNDERBIRD 3.8L
1990-1991 MK7 5.0L
1990 TOWN CAR 5.0L
1990-1991 COLONY PARK 5.0L
1990-1991 GRAND MARQUIS 5.0L
1989-1990 COUGAR 3.8SC
1991-1993 COUGAR 3.8 5.0
1994-1997 COUGAR 3.8L
 

vikingpower

New Member
Dec 6, 2004
656
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CWU Ellensburg, WA
Apr 18, 2008
#4
  • Apr 18, 2008
  • #4
I've had a Protorque ministarter I got from Summit about 4 years ago, works flawlessly
 

vikingpower

New Member
Dec 6, 2004
656
0
0
CWU Ellensburg, WA
Apr 18, 2008
#5
  • Apr 18, 2008
  • #5
And one more thing, get some ARP stainless 12point starter bolts! They are worth their weight in gold
 

TRWXXA

Member
Jan 18, 2003
190
1
19
RIGHT BEHIND YOU!!!... Made you look.
Apr 18, 2008
#6
  • Apr 18, 2008
  • #6
If you are just trying to replace the giant chunk of iron that Ford called "a starter" on your '89, you can replace it with a stock starter for a '93. No need to buy a racing starter. You'll have to change your wiring a bit (starter's power cable gets moved to the hot side of the starter relay, then run another wire from the switched side of the relay, to the solenoid on the starter).

The smaller starters on the '93 lasted longer because they were smaller and allowed more air circulation around them. The solenoid on the starter kept all the current from going through the starter relay, and reduced the chance of the relay contacts welding themselves closed.
 
F

FordGuy88

New Member
Nov 15, 2004
241
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Park Ridge, IL
Apr 18, 2008
#7
  • Apr 18, 2008
  • #7
vikingpower said:
And one more thing, get some ARP stainless 12point starter bolts! They are worth their weight in gold
Click to expand...

Already got a set.
 
F

FordGuy88

New Member
Nov 15, 2004
241
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0
Park Ridge, IL
Apr 18, 2008
#8
  • Apr 18, 2008
  • #8
TRWXXA said:
If you are just trying to replace the giant chunk of iron that Ford called "a starter" on your '89, you can replace it with a stock starter for a '93. No need to buy a racing starter. You'll have to change your wiring a bit (starter's power cable gets moved to the hot side of the starter relay, then run another wire from the switched side of the relay, to the solenoid on the starter).

The smaller starters on the '93 lasted longer because they were smaller and allowed more air circulation around them. The solenoid on the starter kept all the current from going through the starter relay, and reduced the chance of the relay contacts welding themselves closed.
Click to expand...

How can you tell if it is from a 93? I have a notch that when I got it, it had been played with alot already so it may have one.
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
34
129
Apr 18, 2008
#9
  • Apr 18, 2008
  • #9
FordGuy88 said:
How can you tell if it is from a 93? I have a notch that when I got it, it had been played with alot already so it may have one.
Click to expand...

A piggyback solenoid is a clue. For a less conclusive but easier test, if your OEM fender solenoid has the starter cable on the battery lug (of the solenoid), that suggests it already has a mini (factory or otherwise).
 

TRWXXA

Member
Jan 18, 2003
190
1
19
RIGHT BEHIND YOU!!!... Made you look.
Apr 18, 2008
#10
  • Apr 18, 2008
  • #10
FordGuy88 said:
How can you tell if it is from a 93? I have a notch that when I got it, it had been played with alot already so it may have one.
Click to expand...



Old starter on the left. New starter on the right.

I'm not sure when, exactly, they went to the compact starter, but I do know that '89s had the old style and '93s had the new style.
 
F

FordGuy88

New Member
Nov 15, 2004
241
0
0
Park Ridge, IL
Apr 19, 2008
#11
  • Apr 19, 2008
  • #11
TRWXXA said:


Old starter on the left. New starter on the right.

I'm not sure when, exactly, they went to the compact starter, but I do know that '89s had the old style and '93s had the new style.
Click to expand...

Thanks. That helps a lot. I actually think I have one.
 

DucatiRdr

New Member
Nov 22, 2006
271
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0
North of Boston, Massachusetts
Apr 19, 2008
#12
  • Apr 19, 2008
  • #12
Do the cars with the oem mini-starter have a different fender mounted solenoid? I would like to know that when I need a new starter I can upgrade my 1988 to the mini but I don't think there is another millimeter of usable space on my OEM fender mounted solenoid.
 

TRWXXA

Member
Jan 18, 2003
190
1
19
RIGHT BEHIND YOU!!!... Made you look.
Apr 20, 2008
#13
  • Apr 20, 2008
  • #13
DucatiRdr said:
Do the cars with the oem mini-starter have a different fender mounted solenoid? I would like to know that when I need a new starter I can upgrade my 1988 to the mini but I don't think there is another millimeter of usable space on my OEM fender mounted solenoid.
Click to expand...
I believe it's the same starter relay for both. The only difference is that the mini starter has two wires going to it from the relay. The starter's power wire is on the hot (battery) side of the relay, rather than the switched side. The second wire is on the switched side of the relay, and it goes to the mini starter's solenoid.
 
D

Deleted member 87397

Apr 20, 2008
#14
  • Apr 20, 2008
  • #14
I got a hi-torque mini off of ebay for 80 bucks. Don't remember the brand, but it kicks butt and I've had no issues with it at all. It only took a few extra minutes to redo the wiring. Well workth the money.
 

enyawix

Member
Dec 18, 2005
507
0
19
127.0.0.1
Apr 20, 2008
#15
  • Apr 20, 2008
  • #15
What will the stock starter turn over? I am going to 13:1 for more fuel economy and power.
 
F

FordGuy88

New Member
Nov 15, 2004
241
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0
Park Ridge, IL
Apr 23, 2008
#16
  • Apr 23, 2008
  • #16
The one in the link will only turn over 10.5:1. So I would say the stock one would be right around there.
 
C

clarko45

New Member
Apr 18, 2010
1
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0
Apr 18, 2010
#17
  • Apr 18, 2010
  • #17
91 mustang gt wireing digram for jegs ministarter help
 

SScott

Powered by LORD
Apr 23, 2004
304
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16
Alabama
Apr 19, 2010
#18
  • Apr 19, 2010
  • #18
I also have an eBay mini starter, been using it for about 3 years with out a hitch. Gets rid of the fender noid too (if you want).
 

69shocktower

Active Member
Nov 5, 2003
173
21
39
Dakotas
Apr 20, 2010
#19
  • Apr 20, 2010
  • #19
2 ford racing starters

I have pretty much the exact same ford racing mini starter on my 69 351W and my 89 GT. And they work awsome. Piece of cake to install even for me. I only drive mine on weekends and weeknight cruises, but have had them for several years. Still goin.
 
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