Aftermarket Starter Woes
 

I guess I need a sanity check you guys.
I signed on for a IMI starter. I was interested in getting as much weight off the car as I can got the track.

I have read some old threads on previous fitting and clearance issues. Plus a few shipped with wrong specs back in the day.

This is IMI’s new variant, with 928 specific serial number.

I had to re-clock the unit to get it to fit bolt up correctly, but it went on well enough, even with the metal clutch line in place.

When starter engaged it just spins, and didn’t turn engine.
I took off the bell housing cover and the teeth
are not near the fly wheel.

Anything simple I’m missing here?

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...2607178d4.jpeg

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...f50621197.jpeg

The adapter is not concentric with the bendix gear.

By rotating it, you moved the Bendix away from the ring gear.

And why did you have to re-clock it?

The way the starter operates is that the solenoid extends the starter gear forward (when you turn the key to start) to engage the ring teeth and when fully extended, contacts are made internally direct to the heavy battery cable to spin it. I don't think it is possible for it to spin without the solenoid being engaged.

What Greg said,
put the starter back into the original mounting holes,
then install it.
Also get Greg Brown flex slave line to replace the factory part then the line wont go near the starter

Appreciate the help you guys.

I have a call in to IMI, but seeing Greg’s response I pulled it back off and re-re-clocked it and made sure solenoid could move freely before putting it back on.


Started and ran.
Start sounds louder and higher pitch/rpm then stock. As faster overall start time, eeh maybe.
Yeah, soft GB line is the way to go here.

Cheers
Dave

It's a great starter, much better than IMI's original offering, which was designed for a different application.

The clocking of the adapter is completely dependent of which way you decide to mount the starter.

If the starter hangs off towards the driver's side, it needs the adapter one way (the way that they ship the starter,) If it is incorrect, the Bendix spins in space.

If the starter hands directly in the middle of the oil pan (this is where I install them), the adapter needs to face the opposite way. If you get the clocking incorrect when mounting in this position, the Bendix hits the ring gear and won't engage the teeth.

Lots of nasty noises.....

I don't know which aftermarket hi-torque starter I have - it was installed by 928MS at my request, but here's how it's installed.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...98610897cc.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...09bf586918.jpg

Greg clocks them so they are under the oil pan and away from the exhaust.

Ours is not an IMI starter. We used to sell them, but upgraded when a better one became available. As you can see, our starter is actually a long way from the exhaust, and the positive post is also not near the oil pan like the old IMI starters used to be.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...9f4a93dbfe.jpg

I got my '93 GTS here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Porsche-Hig...5/261157386822

Plug & play. Clocked right. Just need GB Clutch line. Doing oil pan gasket/motor mounts in the next couple of weeks. Will get the clutch line in at that time.