This is topic convert `87 5.0 to use `93+ high torque mini starter? in forum Tech Talk at Northern California Ford Owners  .


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Posted by blind (Member # 3052) on :
 
What does it take to do this?

my starter is on its way out, I have to bang on it with a wrench to get it to crank and if I'm going to replace it I want the newer *better* style
 

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Posted by two-gun kid (Member # 5891) on :
 
i thinks its a direct replacement, you just have to use thicker gauge power wire
 

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Posted by JohnB (Member # 969) on :
 
Change the cable to a 0 gauge and run a solenoid wire.
 

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Posted by blind (Member # 3052) on :
 
explain a little more john?

run a 0 guage to the relay on the drivers fender I get

but solenoid wire?
 

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Posted by JohnB (Member # 969) on :
 
Yup, 0 gauge to replace your existing wire. A solenoid wire (from the starter itself) to your firewall solenoid, as the 92-95 starters were a 2-wire setup. It needs to be connected to the opposite terminal on your firewall solenoid and plugged into the single-prong on the starter itself. I would use 10 or 12 gauge for that.
 

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Posted by blind (Member # 3052) on :
 
just to double check I called up a buddy of mine who has a `92 GT to check out his starter wiring.

here's the differences:

his has 4awg starter lead on the same side as the battery lead (large 4awg black wire is to starter on this pic, red is to battery). It also has a 12awg lead from the switched side going to the starter.


This is how my car is right now, so basically what I'm going to do is move the large black 4awg starter lead to the other post on the relay, and add a 12awg wire from the switched post to the new mini starter.


John, whats your reasoning behind needing a 0awg lead to the starter?
 

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Posted by JohnB (Member # 969) on :
 
I use 0 or 2 gauge on anything battery/ground related. I've seen too many of the 4 gauge ones sold over the counter literally melt after about the 3rd crank. Just my opinion.
 

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Posted by 94gt (Member # 3060) on :
 
its always better, imo, to go larger(smaller numerically) when it comes to wiring.. resistance will build with length and heat, so a larger wire is a safer bet
 

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Posted by blind (Member # 3052) on :
 
I fully understand that, but from the description of the high torque mini starters for sale I see this:

quote:

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This starter will fit older 4 in., 4-1/2 in. starters providing a 50% weight reduction and requiring less cranking amps than the older larger starters.
Because the starter is a smaller size, it provides better header clearance and reduces the effects of 'hot start' by staying cooler.

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so if they are smaller, more efficient, and require less cranking amps I see no reason to upgrade the existing wiring

And the fact of the matter is the starter can't pull any more amps than the battery can supply, so have a 0awg run from the starter relay to the starter but keeping the existing 4awg run from the battery to the starter relay puts that 4awg from the battery to the relay as the bottleneck of the system, its impossible to pull more current than that 4awg run can supply
 

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Posted by two-gun kid (Member # 5891) on :
 
what is the difference between the left and right post?
 

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Posted by blind (Member # 3052) on :
 
the left post receives constant 12v. The right post receives 12v while the key is in the crank position, the top small wire is the signal wire from the ignition column.
 

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