Which mini starter? Big diff. in price

[Kilrbee1]

While I have the headers etc. off the 440 in 69 R/T to replace motor mnts and starter, I was going to put the ministarter on it as it appears this is the way to go. Problem is I read the various posts that they're all the same from the minivan to the Dakota but can't find specifics on which engine, year, or vehicle is the one to use either for performance or savings. I looked at the 96-98 Dakota 5.9 units and the 95 Dakota 318 starter. Looked the same outside except terminal mounts but one was $77 and the other $50 more both rebuilt Advance lifetime warranty. Gotta be something else different for the money. Are they all the same or not or will some as I read allow you to loosen bolts and rotate for header clearance? I need to get one asap and back on the road so any application specific info. would be appreciated. Thanks

[JVMopar]

I just went to the junkyard and got a starter out of a '98 dodge ram 360. It took a little modification to the started to get it to fit but for $50 sure beats the cost of one from ma MP.

And it cranks so fast it's great. I love mine.

[Mopar Racer]

The starter needs to be from a 3.9 - 5.2 - 5.9 engine. Any one of these should work fine. I used a stock starter from a 5.2 truck and it started my old B1 engine with 12.0 compression with ease!

[Kilrbee1]

Thanks for the fast replies. I will get one from the parts stores because of the warranty is appealing. Will it matter which year as far as least modifications?

[451Mopar]

I can't help by application, but DynoRad got a mini-starter from some later model Mopar and it was a bit longer than the min-starter that I got from Mopar Performance, so there are at least two different lengths of the mini-starters.

[JVMopar]

The modifications I did was just trim the case some and trim the cable studs some. nothing big

[Mr.Mopar]

I am also interested in a smaller starter for my 72 Dart 340. What would you guys recommend?

[Kilrbee1]

I bought one for a 95 Dakota. Prelimary fit mounting looks like it will bolt right in with no mods. I have a 4 spd so that may be the case why. It was $77 lifetime warranty from Advance and they took an oldstyle beatup starter for the core. Will post later this week how it fit with the headers and etc.

[JVMopar]

Mr. Mopar,

Go and buy a starter for any newer dodge V8. Like a '98 ram 5.9L you won't be disapointed.

[pishta]

There are at least 3 different "mini" starters that Ma put into newer cars. They are rated in Kilowatts. I got the 1.75 Kw model (I think) and there is a 1.25 and a 1.5. this was told to me by the guy who was selling them at the swap meet (of course, hes probably full of bull) but the 3 that I saw were indeed different looking. All had the same mounting but the motor part was longer on mine, and it was 10 bucks more than the other ones. Still only 80 bucks with no core. Some have the lugs on the other side of the starter too.

[fastmopars .inc]

the after 95 starters are slightly shorter and a little fatter than the 92-95 starters. intrepids/minivans use another type of starter as well, will also bolt up.
to use on big blocks the terminal block must be unbolted, the plastic cover just unclips and you unbolt the block from the starter.
the after 95 starters are more expensive.

[MoJoe]

Got mine from the junkyard. It was out of a 2000 full size Ram. 30 bucks. Works great.

The only thing I had to change was one of the cable lugs.

MoJoe

[Mr.Mopar]

Thanks all, once again this board proves to be the best place for info.

[dave571]

Agreed

I just ran into a clearance problem, with my truck starter, and was going to post a question on it.

The timing of this thread is very good, perhaps it should be posted to the archives.

I installed the 95 dakota version this week.

About 120 canadian(plus core)

[pro69bee]

Big block Headman B body headers will not clear mini starter with out mods,at least on my Elite models . Had to cut and re route #1 pipe

[ehostler]

I am going to sticky this, until it dies down, then I will move it to the archives. Great info for anyone wanting a high torque mini-starter, without the high cost.

[littlecampbell]

Hedmans will soon be going in my Dart. I should probably change the starter. It looks like it has been in there since day one. Works fine now, but...... Anyone know if the hedmans will capture a mini-starter on an A body 340? Also why would anyone with headers that capture the starter get a junk yard starter, knowing that it could pack it in a week after installing? Unless it is a mini that does not capture. Knowing the nightmare of R&R a captured starter I think I will shell out more dough for a new one and not wonder when my junk yard one will pack it in. Just a thought

[George G. Leverette]

The Mopar lightweight starter P5249644 is 1 3\4 pounds lighter and 1" shorter than the previous light weight starter and will fit all engines. It can be purchased for $105.00 new from the dealers and most performance vendors. The truck starter costs about #30.00 for the same starter for some reason. I have used these starters for several years with no problems and would highly recommend them.

[dartin70]

The only problem i found with these little jap starters is the starter contacs wear out. The starter will click when you try to start it. Take the 3 screws out of the solinoid cover & you will see the 2 contacs are worn or burnt. $10 later you have a great starter! I buy my contacs from my local Subaru dealer, YA the imports use the same stuff. I buy them from junkyards rep the contacs & never had a problem.

[proarrow]

Installed one years ago, for the size & spin it gives on my snug fitting 340 inside a Plymouth Arrow.

I need all my extentions in the toolbox to reach the top bolt accross the custom headers, but I can get it out with them still hangin!

Junkyard price, new paint & a MP sticker!

Mac

[Kilrbee1]

Well the 95 Dakota starter didn't work for me. It bolted up great with no mods but won't fit the headers. I also would still have to mount the headers and ministarter at same time. I believe theyr'e hedmans too. I looked at the new model trucks and the van but the 99 was the same length on the body and the van didn't look like it would fit in the motor right as the gear housing nose was different. So tomorrow I will check out the Dodge dealership for the mp # mentioned earlier (The Mopar lightweight starter P5249644 is 1 3\4 pounds lighter and 1" shorter than the previous light weight starter and will fit all engines.)and if its no shorter its back to the original starter. Either way it looks like they have to be installed at same time so I don't know if its going to be worth all the trouble and dollars. Don't really want to have to redo the exhaust to change headers.

[cageman]

heres my story, ...
95 ram,13000 miles starter still going.
68 Coronet 360 904 but has Magnum truck manifolds, works good two years racing circle track with that one.
71 dodge 3/4 ton 318, older headers starter fit fine, I put a 78 dodge truck front stub under it and got the small block headers for it from hedman had to modify two tubes, but it fits now.
70 4 wheel drive 318, Bought starter from Mancini and it went out three days after I installed it, 18 months after I bought it, went to junkyard and pulled a starter off of minivan and replaced the armature and case and it works fine now.
62 shortbox with a 72 440 727, starter wont turn motor ver just zings, but has worked for two years in my race car, dont know why it wouldnt work on the 440.
Thought maybe someone might get something out of all my mini starter equipped vehicles, Thats the first thing I do is get rid of the stock starter and put a newer dodge starter on it.

[FASTDARTCHESTER]

Anyone know the weight difference between a standard starter and a Mini?

Thanks

[charger_dan]

I don't know what a stock starter weighs, but the newest MP
lightweight starter weighs a mere 7 pounds.

I've run the MP starter since '96, and it's definitely a great piece
all around. Well worth the $125 I paid for it.

Mancini has their own model, 100% new, for less than the MP unit.

[motorhead440]

will the mopar mini stater work with proparts headers in an bigblock a-body?

[dwc43]

I just bought 2 new MP mini's from tksports. He owns a store in Florida and sells them on e bay. I payed 104 includes shipping. He had 8 morein stock if some one needs them.

[dynorad]

If you are considering putting a mini starter on, look at your header to starter clearance with your old starter. The dodge pickup junkyard mini starter is shorter but sticks out away from the block by 1/2-1" more than the old starter. If your clearance is tight then maybe the MP starter will work, but maybe not.
I thought I could ding the header to fit but it was too extreme. I wound up putting a stock starter back on since I didn't want to buy new headers.

[JoeGrapes]

I just bought a mini starter from Mancini Racing for my 440 Cuda. The starter will not clear the Headman Headers . I had to go back to the stock starter. I don't think any mini starter will fit with Headman Headers on a E-body. I only hope I don't have to replace a starter because it's a major job as the header has to be moved. If anyone out there is looking to buy headers, the Headmans seem like a good buy but in the long run...........NOT!

[George G. Leverette]

The mini starters are configured different from the OEM starters and might not provide more room depending on the location of the exhaust manifold or header tube. the main advantages of the mini starters are less weight, more torque they are new therefore more realiable, those lifetime rebuilds are labor intensive and need changing every year or two.

[ModTop340]

I'm not going to read all the posts here, but I'll tell you that the parts house number is 17084.