Starter motor upgrades?

Rapidresto · Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2011 9:19 pm Post subject: Starter motor upgrades?

Ok i've been having starter issues which i hope has been traced to an electrical problem keeping the starter engaged and trashing the motor (twice).

Before i replace the stock motor again, i was wondering if there are any better alternatives.?

I'm running a stock swingaxle ghia/bug box with a DS tuning adaptor plate and flywheel, to an ej22.

I've been looking into the westyventures.com adaptor to allow t25's to use a tdi starter but they can't tell me if they will work with my box.

Anyone know if a t25 starter is compatible or been sucessful in using the tdi starters or can anyone suggest something else?

I've got to get another motor now anyway (my last spare seems to be duff), but don't want to go mad on cost incase the motor trashing hasn't been solved yet!

Cheers
John

1303Steve · Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2011 12:12 am Post subject:

Hi

Semi auto bug starters are a little stronger than stock manual ones. I used one with my old 1302 WBX that was running 10.5:1 comp and it really kicked over quickly.

I'm now running a high torque starter I bought form Pelican parts in the US.

Steve
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STI powered 1303 now running
G50 box, Boxster/944 brakes, Adaptronic 1280E ecu, PWR intercooler etc

Joel · Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2011 12:16 am Post subject:

I ran the stock beetle starter with my EJ22 for a few months and it managed fine, slowed a bit when the engine was hot but always started.

A VW freind had a brand new German bosch starter for a semi-automatic beetle which is higher HP than stock and self supporting so I grabbed it.

When I looked on the box it was actually for a 83-88 automatic vanagon/caravelle/transporter whatever the boxy T3s are known as but he said it's identical to a semi auto starter.

been working well for 18 months now

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1974 1303 Germanlook Suba-Beetle
Subaru EJ254, BoostR 17", 4 Wheel discs, Topline suspension and A/C

Rapidresto · Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2011 7:09 am Post subject:

thanks guys.

The auto starters seem to be the same over the years but the bug&bus starter changed in 75 and again in 81.

Joel does the auto starter just bolt up to the swingaxle box or does it need any mods?

Joel · Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2011 11:22 am Post subject:

bolts straight up

_________________
1974 1303 Germanlook Suba-Beetle
Subaru EJ254, BoostR 17", 4 Wheel discs, Topline suspension and A/C

Rapidresto · Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2011 8:35 pm Post subject:

hmmmm i'll look for one of them.

I wonder if i could use the auto version of the westyventures.com tdi starter adaptor?

Obonobo · Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 9:24 am Post subject:

Hi John,

I'm not sure whether it is relevant, but it might help: An acquaintance of mine blew a couple of starter motors (Citroen AX from the late nineties), because the earthing/ground of the box wasn't good. Actually, it was hardly there. The starter motors couldn't release excess current (or something like that anyway) and melted. A new groundstrap to the chassis from both the box and the engine and stripping the chassis where they bolted on worked wonders.

Goodluck!
_________________
Greetings from Sietze
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Driving a '75 Bay with a EJ22 '93 and 091 6-rib box.

And it's a long time since it looked anything like this!

Rapidresto · Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 8:15 am Post subject:

Right, quick update on this!

I've searched for a reasonable priced auto starter with no joy (i'm not going to spend too much as i've been munching them too much recently!).

So i've borrowed a tdi starter adaptor from a friend www.westyventures.com it's the auto version and using a starter from a mk4 golf TDi and it fires up no problem and works a treat, real strong starter.

So far so good. Unless there's a mechanical reason (like it's not fully engaged and going to wear out the cogs) then it seems to work great.

So a starter adaptor from westy ventures (the auto version) and a mk4 golf tdi starter is a cheap alternative to a high torque / auto starter for swingaxle gearboxes and scooby conversions.

Still some head scratching to do though. I've added some earth straps anyway but that wasn't the issue. It turns out i'm getting a positive feed back from the ECU to the starter keeping it engaged but only a little while after the engine is started

i'm going to do some more research and post a new topic on that if no joy.

vw66wrx · Wannabe Joined: 17 Feb 2011 Posts: 3 Location: Birmingham

Rapidresto · Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2011 4:08 pm Post subject:

its the manual version of the TDI starter you need not the auto version.

Part number is 02A 911 024 or 02A 911 023R