problem2420 Posted January 24, 2013 Report Share Posted January 24, 2013 (edited) I'm still confused on what starter to upgrade too. I have a 91 gp 3.1 and need a new starter but i want to go to an auto parts store and tell them the vehicle I need it from. I really want to know my different options. 3.4 or 3100 starter? Difference ? And what application should I tell the parts man? My starter spins but doesn't crank the the flywheel. Edited January 25, 2013 by problem2420 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jake91 Posted January 24, 2013 Report Share Posted January 24, 2013 Stock I see no reason to upgrade a starter, but if you want to I believe you can use the newer mini starters found on newer 3400s such as grand ams Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertISaar Posted January 24, 2013 Report Share Posted January 24, 2013 Stock I see no reason to upgrade a starter, but if you want to I believe you can use the newer mini starters found on newer 3400s such as grand ams yeah, just mention an 05 3400 impala and that should be the latest style... keep in mind you may have to eat a core charge if they don't take your old style back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
problem2420 Posted January 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 well there is a $60 price difference in the starters from the one i have now to the impala one. I'm not sure if the price difference is justifiable. lol should i do it or save money towards other parts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jake91 Posted January 25, 2013 Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 Save money for other parts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schurkey Posted January 25, 2013 Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 Paying extra for the more modern starter makes sense on a 3.4L DOHC. There is so little room to maneuver the starter in and out, having the smaller one makes a big difference. Not sure that's true on a 3.1. No engine oil cooler in the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertISaar Posted January 25, 2013 Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 biggest issue on the 3.1 is the trans cooler(and possibly A/C? it's been a while) lines.... even then, not that bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DefEddie Posted January 25, 2013 Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 Every starter i've tried between most all 60 degree V6 motors and 3800's are the same. The smaller high torque starter should work from anything newer than prob a 2002 offhand. Not sure when they switched on the cars,it was 97ish on the trucks. My 2.8 fiero has the old starter from my wifes 2004 impala LS 3800 n/a. Her new one was about $150 iirc. There are cheaper versions on the other engines,but they all should have the same bolt pattern pretty sure and should bolt up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GnatGoSplat Posted January 25, 2013 Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 3800 starters have a different number of teeth. I forget what the number was (knew back when I was doing the research), but that's the difference. I have heard it'll still work, but I would prefer to get a starter with the right # of teeth if it were me. Using a 3100/3400 mini starter is actually a very nice upgrade for a few reasons. 1. They are SMALL, much lighter, significantly easier to maneuver and install. You will be very pleased at how much less painful it is to hold up the starter while attempting to thread the bolts. The big ones get real heavy, real quick. It's also quite a bit easier to get the mini starter in around all the pipes nearby. 2. They use much less power, so if for some reason your battery has weakened (i.e. sitting too long or weak/dying battery), your car is MUCH more likely to still be able to crank and start. 3. Since it takes less power to crank, there's also much greater chance of success when jumpstarting the car if the battery should ever die. With the old big starters, I'd often have to wait forever with the 2 cars hooked up before the starter would even turn over. The mini starters turn over very easily and right away. I put the newer mini starters on my 89 2.8L and 94 3.4L, definitely worthwhile. I measured the position of the gear relative to the mounting surface with calipers as well, and I believe you can/should lose the shims when going to the mini starter as well. I didn't go through a parts store, I just bought used ones from eBay pulled from low mileage cars. I think one was $15 shipped and the other was $25. Doing it that way is a good way to avoid core return issues, and IF I ever have to go to a parts store for a starter to replace them, at that point I'll then have an appropriately matching core. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Fury Posted January 25, 2013 Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 Mini starters for the win!! For all the reasons mentioned above, and also they even sound better starting your car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
problem2420 Posted January 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 (edited) So would an older wbody starter be the same 96-up. Are they just as small as the 04? Any difference between thoes ? I'm pretty sure I'm going to do it. Just need to know Becuase the newer the car the more the wrecking yard likes to charge for parts. I thought about asking for a 98gp 3.1 Or 00 impala 3.4 my mom used to have a 00 3.8 impala so it would almost be easy to remember. Edited January 26, 2013 by problem2420 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
19Cutlass94 Posted January 26, 2013 Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 The generations of starters are different, but interchange. All the 2.8/3.1/3x00 all have the same tooth flywheel/flex plate so they will work. If your going to do the upgrade, get a brand new starter. Most come with a lifetime warranty and there are no core charges and brand new products. Sent from my iPhone in some random spot of Texas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schurkey Posted January 26, 2013 Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 If your going to do the upgrade, get a brand new starter. Most come with a lifetime warranty and there are no core charges and brand new products. Be very careful. Virtually all of the "brand new" starters are sourced from Communist China. Brand new junk. I'd rather have a genuine Delco starter, rebuilt if needed using quality parts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
19Cutlass94 Posted January 26, 2013 Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 Depends on what brand of brand new you get. But most brand new parts are Chinese garbage. You'll pay more for something made here, but it'll be worth the money. Sent from my iPhone in some random spot of Texas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
problem2420 Posted January 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 I'm going to the wreckers tomorrow or maybe the parts store but need to know 98 3.1 starter or 04 3.4 starter what are the differences? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Fury Posted January 26, 2013 Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 Why are you even thinking about a 98 3.1? Just get 04 3.4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoobyDoo82 Posted January 26, 2013 Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 I have a starter off of a 2006 3.5 G6 in my Cavalier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
19Cutlass94 Posted January 26, 2013 Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 I'm going to the wreckers tomorrow or maybe the parts store but need to know 98 3.1 starter or 04 3.4 starter what are the differences? Only difference between the generations is size and power. The newer starters are better. Just get the '04. Sent from my iPhone in some random spot of Texas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GnatGoSplat Posted January 26, 2013 Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 Just a testament to how great these little starters are. I forgot to put my float charger on the Cutlass over my long Christmas break and the shitty Wal-mart battery went completely dead. Now, it'll charge up, but won't charge all the way. With 9.6V, the mini starter still cranks fast enough to start the car! It's definitely much slower than normal, but fast enough to start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrett Powered Posted January 27, 2013 Report Share Posted January 27, 2013 just got one for my big block chevy 454. I won't remove an old one without upgrading anymore. just don't pay too much because they keep getting cheaper, seems like. for the w-body car...If you can't find a good one in the junk yard, you are not trying hard enough. I had to sort through a pile of them and visually check them for a nice newer looking one since I had no way of testing them there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pontiac6KSTEAWD Posted January 27, 2013 Report Share Posted January 27, 2013 Just get one from a Junkyard, 01 or newer front wheel drive, GM product, with a 3.4. So much lighter, and quieter. My Turbo loves mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
l67ss Posted January 28, 2013 Report Share Posted January 28, 2013 oreillys so me me the newer style for my 97 monte i drove bout 10k mi on a 10v batt b4 i went ahed and changed it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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