Alex - I'll take 914 6 ring gear damage for $1000, "what do High Torque starters do" Options

[BKLA]

Unfortunately, "BluByU" sits most of the time at the CAMP, waiting to be driven. Last month, my son and I enjoyed a drive that took us out to the Portland historic races. We enjoyed the day and the track and left around 3:00 in order to make it back to my other son's soccer tournament. The six started and ran normally both two and from the race. Parked it at home and drove with the family to the game.

After family duties, when to start the six and....zzzzzzKKKK - no engagement. put the car in gear and rocked it back and forth.

Tried again. This time engagement but loud clunk each rotation. ( the starter was relatively new so I thought maybe it was loose.) Drove up to the CAMP and parked it. Climbed under to see if the starter was "loose" - nope. Put the car cover on it and suspected a broken tooth on the ring gear.

Called my trusty local independent Porsche mechanic and asked. Tried starting again same loud clunk - figured that it must have broken a couple of teeth. Anyway, had him check it and sure enough - broke 5 teeth in a row.

Now here's the rub - He installed a new flywheel and a new starter (Bosch). THe six now starts sooo much quieter and faster than it ever did with the "high Torque" one. He told me that the high torque starters work great on high compression engines, but that he recommends the bosch starters for anything stock as they don't damage the ring gear.

Now, the flywheel looks great and I understand that it can be machined and have a new ring gear welded on. (I saved it as well as the relatively new starter.) I have seen a number of flywheels with removable or replaceable ring gears and have been considering one for the new race 2.7 I have for "other" 914.

Would it be worth it to have it machined for a replaceable ring gear as well as lightened and balanced? I would keep it as a back up for my 2.7 race motor -or- use it on the race motor. Waddya think?