Any feedback on the Powermaster High Torque starter?....

[cjshaker]

I'm thinking about using one since they claim higher torque. I don't want to go the mini or gear reduction route. And I've always had good luck with standard OEM styles even on hotter street engines, but thought the extra torque capacity would be nice to have on hand. Has anybody used a "high torque" Powermaster? Good/bad feedback?

[mmason]

Last year I had starting issues with my new 487 12:1 comp. engine. My old starter was not doing well with the higher compression so I got the Powermaster Xs torque starter because of its power and it's small size (6.6 inches) to fit with my Hedman headers. So far it has worked well and starts the engine hot or cold.

[jayb]

I've had good luck with the Powermaster XS Torque starters as well.  However, one thing I don't like about them is that the drive gears don't engage the full width of the flywheel teeth, at least on the engines I've checked it on.  They go about 2/3 of the way in.  They still work pretty well though, and have never given me any significant trouble.

Because of the tooth engagement issue I've also bought and tried out a Robb McC starter.  I like the design better because you can buy them with the nose support for the shaft, just like the stockers have.  They are expensive, though...

[cjshaker]

Actually the XS Torque starter is a mini with gear reduction isn't it?

I was referring to the OEM style, as shown here....
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/pwm-3131

While I have heard nothing but good about them, Robs starter may be a bit more than I require. And I'd kind of like to stay away from the gear reduction sound on this car. I have been known to change my mind a time or two though

[fe66comet]

I was looking at the gear reduction model for use with my Doug's  Thunderbolt headers, but now that you mention the engagement deal maybe I will try a different one.

[jayb]

Actually the XS Torque starter is a mini with gear reduction isn't it?

I was referring to the OEM style, as shown here....
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/pwm-3131

While I have heard nothing but good about them, Robs starter may be a bit more than I require. And I'd kind of like to stay away from the gear reduction sound on this car. I have been known to change my mind a time or two though

That's right, the XS Torque model is a mini with gear reduction.  I haven't tried the one in your link.

[afret]

Actually the XS Torque starter is a mini with gear reduction isn't it?

I was referring to the OEM style, as shown here....
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/pwm-3131

While I have heard nothing but good about them, Robs starter may be a bit more than I require. And I'd kind of like to stay away from the gear reduction sound on this car. I have been known to change my mind a time or two though

I use the XS on the street car and it works great.  I bought the RobbMc for the stocker and it worked fine for cranking but it broke a couple of times.  The first time it was the mechanism for engaging the gear (I think). Robb was great about fixing it.  When we got the engine together and back in the car, it just spun but not the engine.  The gear had shattered.  It was fun fishing out the teeth from behind the flex plate through the starter hole. LOL This has the gear support like on the stock starter.  I haven't had the time to send it back to get fixed yet. 

Anyway back to your question.  I got the Powermaster starter in your link in the meantime and put it in the stocker since the XS wouldn't fit with REF headers when I was fitting those headers in the street car.   That stock like Powermaster starter works fine.  I think the box said made in the USA too.   The stocker has locked out timing at about 40* with a 10* start retard.  Tried a 20* but it wouldn't work right.  It was harder to crank.  I think it was firing the adjacent terminal with that much retard.

[cjshaker]

Anyway back to your question.  I got the Powermaster starter in your link in the meantime and put it in the stocker since the XS wouldn't fit with REF headers when I was fitting those headers in the street car.   That stock like Powermaster starter works fine.  I think the box said made in the USA too.   The stocker has locked out timing at about 40* with a 10* start retard.  Tried a 20* but it wouldn't work right.  It was harder to crank.  I think it was firing the adjacent terminal with that much retard.

Thanks. I'll probably give it a try. I've used the Tuff Stuff starter before and it worked fine at 11 to 1 compression and never had trouble when the car was hot. This one is only 10.5. I know sometimes the clockable minis have fitment issues with certain header combos, but I know the OEM syle fits my Hookers.

[Qikbbstang]

Ive always wondered about "MARINE" starters on my 460 offshore powerboat. The marine starters always sounded like it spun the motor slower then a car starter despite monster batteries/cables.   Then again I can't figure how you fit more guts inside the factory sized starter housing?...............So how does the referenced PowerMaster get more 'guts' inside?
      Finally I noted in my starter collection FE/429-460s that genuine FoMoCo starters are decidedly different more robust then no-name replacement starters.  I was told by a guy that had been around auto parts stores awhile that the only "lifetime" rebuilt starters their auto-parts store had were always built on Ford cores. The lesser rebuilds were generally not on OEM FoMoCo cores.

[ScotiaFE]

Then again I can't figure how you fit more guts inside the factory sized starter housing?...............So how does the referenced PowerMaster get more 'guts' inside? 

More wire wound around the "guts". Just making a bigger magnet.
You can do it at home if you have a small lathe type fixture.