Starters.

[67428GT500]

I have a factory re manufactured high torque starter and I am debating if I should go ahead and change the starter on my Shelby to a gear reduction starter.
What say the peanut gallery? The engine is about 9.9:1 compression.
                                                                                                     -Keith

[GerryP]

What is it you believe you would gain from the change?  There doesn't appear to be anything in your combination that would require it or where you would solve a problem.

[Stangman]

I agree with GerryP nothing wr9ng with a factory starter. And you might be saving yourself a lot of aggravation with fitament problems. Also I’ve seen your car and it’s not like you need to go that way for a weight saving measure for the track. I’ve had 11.8 to 1 and now 10.75 comp factory starter works fine.!

[67428GT500]

I noted that they seem to turn the vehicles over quicker and they seem to start faster. Granted, the new engine is about 9.9 Vs. 11.2 of the other engine.
Now is the time to make the change if I'm going to do so.
                                                                              -Keith

[Stangman]

Well nobody is going to talk you out of it, unless it was something that was going to hurt you which this won’t. I guess it’s all about preference.

[67428GT500]

I was really looking at the pros and cons.  It's why I asked the question. If there are no real benefits, the factory high torque unit can stay.

                                                                                       -Keith

[GerryP]

The pros are that they will crank over a high compression, big cube, locked out timing engine.  The starters themselves are usually high grade, rare earth magnet designs.  The reduction gears can be a bit flimsy, but for the most part they are usually very well made.  I use a Powermaster and my engine could be spun by an asthmatic hamster.  It's been a while but I think I got if for header clearance, but I switched to CJ manifolds not long ago but just left the starter since it does work.

There are no cons other than the cost.  If you are okay with throwing some money that you don't absolutely have to, then you are good to go.  I don't say this critically since I am a man who owns far more guitars than anyone has the need to so who am I to talk.

[67428GT500]

You guitars, me firearms. lol

[gregb]

I've gone to using those Powermaster gear reduction starters on my old stuff.  I like the ones that look like Denso gear reduction units as opposed to the PMGR ones. Yeah, the factory stuff works, mostly, but those gear reduction ones just work better, for me anyway.  Just  my opinion though. 

[67428GT500]

Greg: I noted that they really seemed to turn the FE over nicely. I have an original 67 GT 500 with non-stock engine. The starter gives itself away. However, I'm not a pussy that hides my car. I actually drive it. Reliability is SUPER important to me. The heavy duty factory starter just seems to labor a bit, as do all stock starters.

                                                                                              -Keith

[My427stang]

Greg: I noted that they really seemed to turn the FE over nicely. I have an original 67 GT 500 with non-stock engine. The starter gives itself away. However, I'm not a pussy that hides my car. I actually drive it. Reliability is SUPER important to me. The heavy duty factory starter just seems to labor a bit, as do all stock starters.

                                                                                              -Keith

Powermaster is the way to go if you are going to do it. I don't think you'll hear of any downside, although I believe you need to make a jumper wire for the solenoid trigger (on the starter) to make it act like a Ford starter, no big deal though

That being said, I have one on the shelf that "one of these days" when my 10.75:1 489 or any combo in my truck doesn't spin over, I'll change it, but same stock starter since 2006 in the Mustang and same one in the truck since 2008, and they just don't miss a beat.

Not trying to talk you out of it at all, seems like you want one, and the Powermasters fit well and are awesome, but not really required, just nice pieces

[Falcon67]

I hate all factory starters unless they are newer PMGR units.  And I really hat Powermaster units.  Had nothing but s##t out of them.  I buy Summit brand and never have any issues.