Starters - which of these two is preferable?

[rundmc]

I'm going to upgrade my starter after everything gets settled with this last round of repairs. I know that the 1991 Eagle Premier starter (#16894) is a known option, but a few people have also mentioned AutoZone starter #16550 as a working option, and it is currently cheaper than the Premier starter.

Can anyone shed light on the differences?

Thanks

[AdmiralSenn]

I'm not familiar with the differences, but make sure you don't get a remanufactured starter. One of those numbers may be a reman.

I've had one for two years, and it's been started maybe a few hundred times in that period. The solenoid is already going bad.

[jangell]

I don't know the answer to this, but I recently got a modern high-torque starter from britishstarters.com. It's basically a modern Japanese starter with a custom adaptor plate so that it can mount in the DeLorean. The only problem I had was that I needed to add some shims to space the starter out from the flywheel so it wouldn't grind against it when it wasn't engaged. The starter spins fast and consistently, as opposed to my stock one that would start slowing down after cranking for a second or two.

Unfortunately, I can't post a full review of it just yet, as I haven't had a chance to actually drive my car very much since it has been installed. It costs $240 including shipping. They didn't even charge me until they knew it worked, and even modified the mounting plate with more holes so I could rotate the starter into the very specific orientation required to fit it in the car (I was their first DeLorean customer).

Anyway, hopefully someone else can give you feedback on the Autozone vs. Premiere starters, but I thought I'd throw this option out there too.

-- Joe

[stevedmc]

My remanufactured eagle premier starter cost me about $99 from AutoZone and it's been doing fine for at least 18 months.

Should it ever fail I can walk into any AutoZone and they will swap it out free of charge.

It only takes about 20 minutes to remove and replace a starter.

[rundmc]

Thanks. It looks like AutoZone only offers remanufactured starters. Seems like their reliability is hit or miss. You get a good one or a lemon.

[jangell]

It only takes about 20 minutes to remove and replace a starter.

That is true -- with a stock exhaust setup. I have DPI's SPEC I exhaust. As far as I can tell, I can't get the starter out without removing the exhaust headers, so I was much more concerned about getting a starter that would last a while. I've gone through NOS starters a bit too frequently to trust them again. I've never tried the Autozone or Premier starters, but I was willing to give britishstarters.com a shot. I'll be sure to report back on how well it works and how long it lasts.

Still, it's hard to beat the $99 price of an Autozone starter.

-- Joe

[stevedmc]

Thanks. It looks like AutoZone only offers remanufactured starters. Seems like their reliability is hit or miss. You get a good one or a lemon.

You can have them test things such as alternators and starters before you leave the store. I've ha them do it for me before just to be safe.

[Bitsyncmaster]

I got the eagle starter at auto zone. Not sure if was rebuilt or new but I did turn my old starter in to return the core charge. I'm happy with the starter and it's so much smaller and lighter than the stock one.

[rundmc]

Thanks for the info. I will have AutoZone test the starter before I leave.

[stevedmc]

I forgot to mention that there are several vendors who will buy your old starter. I think Hervey gave me the autozone core price plus $10 and shipping. Believe it or not, there are some people who believe in rebuilding these things just so they can stay stock.

You can also double dip on the core if you want. Just go to a junk yard and pull a matching starter from an old Volvo or eagle premier an turn it in at autozone for you core.

[82DMC12]

Why buy a new questionable starter when you can get the original one rebuilt? I had this done in like 2002 and its worked perfectly ever since. Less $ than a new one too. Any old timer electrical shop or maybe machine shop can do this.

[stevedmc]

Why buy a new questionable starter when you can get the original one rebuilt? I had this done in like 2002 and its worked perfectly ever since. Less $ than a new one too. Any old timer electrical shop or maybe machine shop can do this.


Because the AutoZone one comes with a lifetime warranty and can be replaced free of charge in virtually any major city in the USA. My "questionable" starter has been running fine since day one.

Edit: Having a working starter is super important if you are away from home and drive an automatic. The only way to start an automatic is with a starter. If it fails away from home you will have to find someone to either rebuild it (could take days), get a vendor to ship you a part (will take days), or walk into AutoZone (takes less than an hour with proper tools). If you drive a manual car you can just push it, hop in, and bump start it in second gear.

[Farrar]

That is true -- with a stock exhaust setup. I have DPI's SPEC I exhaust. As far as I can tell, I can't get the starter out without removing the exhaust headers

Same goes for Houston's "performance exhaust." I'd have to take the right header off to change my car's starter.

[rundmc]

Why buy a new questionable starter when you can get the original one rebuilt? I had this done in like 2002 and its worked perfectly ever since. Less $ than a new one too. Any old timer electrical shop or maybe machine shop can do this.

Mainly because I just want to have two...the OEM and a "beater"

[Nicholas R]

Just fyi, the DeLorean starter ring gear has the same teeth spacing as a Chevy 153 and chevy 168 tooth flywheel. If you can get the starter into the spot, any starter with a chevy pinion gear will work.

[stevedmc]

Mainly because I just want to have two...the OEM and a "beater"

Just out of curiosity, is your car a manual or an automatic? You really don't need a spare starter unless your car is an automatic. Shoot, even at that, if your current starter ever failed during a road trip you could just walk into any parts store and get a replacement (buy it then).

[Nicholas R]

Same goes for Houston's "performance exhaust." I'd have to take the right header off to change my car's starter.

I always wondered about that. I asked at the carshows and couldn't get a straight answer; from owner or vendor. It was like they didn't want to admit it. Definitely seems like a pain. My UK exhaust gave very clear access to the starter.

[DMC5180]

Same goes for Houston's "performance exhaust." I'd have to take the right header off to change my car's starter.

Supposedly the small (premier) starter can be R&R'd without loosening the header. However, you have too loosen it once to get the original out and it still requires removing the oil filter (for both starters)

[82DMC12]

I'd have to say removing my starter is about the least of my worries when choosing exhaust systems. It's what, two bolts and 6 nuts? Probably easier then changing the cap and rotor.

[Nicholas R]

I'd have to say removing my starter is about the least of my worries when choosing exhaust systems. It's what, two bolts and 6 nuts? Probably easier then changing the cap and rotor.

Are you talking about removing the header? Sounds like a pain in the ass to me. For one the DMCH exhaust utilizes all 12 exhaust bolts correct? Some of those are a MAJOR pain to try to get to. Plus, it's usually inadvisable to remove a header and re-install it without replacing the gasket.

[Chris4099]

The DMCH and DPI headers can use up to 12 studs, but only require 6. Also when they were installed, anti-seize should have been used. It would probably take me just 10-20 minutes to remove my header. Granted I would need a new gasket, but really I'll take this minor issue to gain the advantage of a performance exhaust. It's not like I frequently change starters.

For me, the PO installed a massive Bosch starter. I had to swap it out with the Eagle starter because the Bosch would hit the DPI headers. I'm sure a stock starter would have been fine but I didn't want to spend that much money (especially with no core available). 1.5 years on the Eagle starter and not a single issue yet!