Why the heck are there 4 different starters....

[Frosty]

Discovered last night that there are 2 different "power" starters for the 3800. If I remember correct there is 1.4 kw and 1.6 kw. The 1.6kw is for the supercharged cars. Can anyone explain why GM did this? I would think the low compression L67 would need less power to spin it over? The blower spins by hand so I doubt its that.

Also discovered there is a "Long" and "Short" style. The long isn't necessarily the high power starter or low power starter. Is it just another part supplier for gm or what?

So there are basically 4 different starters rolling around.

The reason im asking is because me and a buddy were rooting through spare parts last night and discovered the differences. I have thrown starters around willy nilly on 3800s without any issues. Is there a actual meaningful difference between the 4 other then one being smaller and easier to swing up in there? One thing I can say is that they appear to be very well built. 180k and 15 years on mine with no issues. Just changed a buddies top swap bonnie starter after 16 years and 190k last night.

 

[BillBoost37]

The little info I have come across is there's a gear reduced and non gear reduced. However if you look at say a Bonneville or older H body starter vs a GP starter, the size difference is crazy.

The H body starter is huge in comparison and yet, I've also tossed any of them on any car. So it's not like it causes any issues.

 

[Turbocharged400sbc]

none of em are gear reduced, at least none that ive taken apart....the earliest starters have electromagnets, then they came out with the larger dia permanent mag motor (more tq/winding leverage), the later's years reduced motor dia twice with the modern high efficiency permanent magnet motors.