I tried to do a bench start on my Rover V8 yesterday. I'm using the stock 914 starter with the Kennedy adapter plate and flywheel. The starter engaged well, but just barely turned the engine over. My battery was freshly charged.

I'm going to take the starter in tomorrow to have it bench tested, but in the meantime, I'm wondering if the stock starter is just not up to the job of turning a V8. I know most of the V8's going into these things are SBC's, but what are you using for a starter?

Tom

I used the high-torque starter on my last 2.0. I will use the same type for my 215 conversion. Besides I like the neat sound that they make.

Dave

I'm using one of the high-torque geared starters, it works very good. You can listen to the startup at http://phoenixhobbies.com/html/first_drive.html and click on the embeded video. My application is a V6 with about 9.5:1 compression.

Paul

High torgue...."gear reduction"

Are you sure the hi torque starter is up to the job on the 215?

Tom
(edit) oops, never mind. I should have read the previous posts.

Should be. Seems like it was (some time ago since I bought it) double the torque of stock? Check it out and see what they claim.

Dave

wasn't there something about the potential of bolt heads on the flywheel and the clutch disc interfering?

Hi torque 911 on my 283 V8

I have been using an IMI gear reduction starter on my 302 with 11:1 compression, no problems so far for about 8 years.
Mark

I have ued 911 starter and now I have IMI geared starter. it souds so honda....untill that 350 jumps to life

Paul, your car looks great, nice job!!! love the boxter muffler (boxter?)

I don't think the gear reduction starter was available when I did my conversion and at the time I didn't want to pop for the reverse rotation chevy unit sold for the Rengade conversion and I think it was done by Kennedy.
The stock 914 starter worked slow but well for many years as I was only pushing about 9:1 compression, but the problem surfaced it's ugly head one day when I had to get somewhere. As I understand what happened is that the bearing at the output shaft is not up to the task and when it wears out the teeth start skipping and that will wear the teeth on the flywheel or chip them off.
I could put the car in high gear and push it just enough to move the flywheel and try it again and usually get it started, but every time it got to the broken tooth it would just spin.
Kennedy was able to put a new ring gear on my flywheel. Wish I'd done it right the first time.
B

IMI hi torque here.

I called pelican and renegade they both use IMI 101, just to let all the others know this is the same that they sell for vw's and it is about 75$ cheaper at a bug store than any other. I also tried to use a 911 starter, but it was just to slow, but I also had some troubles with ignition...

http://www.kustom1warehouse.net/ has new original IMI 101 and they ship for cheap.

e-bay under 914 Porsche parts has IMI 101 remanufactured starters from "hiperformanceusa" for $119.99 with free shipping.

Dave

Thanks Dave, ordered that one yesterday and I should be in business by the end of the week. Woohoo!!

Tom