Starter Question $$$

Why is the starter for the 3800 Supercharged engine on a 93 SSEI twice the price of a non supercharged 3800, $167.00 , and can a regular non supercharged 3800 starter work, has anyone tried it ?? Thought my problem might be the VATS system because when I turned the key nothing happened, except my security light wouldn't stay on. I pulled the starter and had it tested, BAD, sounded bad too, so hopefully thats all it is.

The starter for the SSEi Bonneville and a lot of the latest 3800's are gear reduced for better torque multiplication, on the SSEi you have the SC to turn as well, and various other pulleys... so all of the supercharged 3800's had a gear reduced.... But a Direct drive will work...

Thanks for the info Jrs 3800. One question to you or anybody reading this. Would you go with the gear reduced or direct drive ?

Myself, I replace my starters with gear reduced units... They do cost, But I like them.. Supposedly they both put out the same amount of power, but The gear reduced is a smaller lighter package and has the torque to twist the 3800...

On this car several years back my Direct Drive starter failed( Top ) and I replaced it with the Gear reduced( Bottom )...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/Jr3800/91%20Bonneville%20Misc/starter02.jpg


Listen to the first part of both of these... Thats a gear reduced..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/Jr3800/1995%20Pontiac%20Transport/th_95Transportmuffy.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v294/Jr3800/1995%20Pontiac%20Transport/?action=view&current=95Transportmuffy.flv)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/Jr3800/th_L67Starter.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v294/Jr3800/?action=view&current=L67Starter.flv)

They just sound neat to me... And they can sure spin a motor over..

Absolutely ! I hate to fudge on parts, this car has a strong engine still at 176,000 miles, it's everything else that is failing. Honestly looking at the picture of the two starters side by side, I don't think I would be able to fit the direct drive in there without removing alot more stuff. Next job is the blend door, nothing but heat and code 40 on climate control YEE HAW !!!! Also where would you look for an instrument cluster, and what years are compatible for a 93 ssei. Also why does my auto load leveler run forever after I shut off the car.
Like I said, everything but the motor is falling apart, but I love this old car and would love to get it back to its old form of the "Ultimate Driving Machine" !!!

Thanks !!!

For you the Air Mix Actuator ( Blend Door ) has failed most likely... This is a common problem with all of these Bonneville and other H and C bodies... I have a friends Buick LeSabre here, it has the Dual Zone and the drivers side Actuator has died..lol

The Cluster is another story.... 92-93 should work for you iirc...

Myself at the very moment I am looking for a 94-96 Non Supercharged SSE Cluster... There is a lot of electronics in these clusters...

You aren't gonna believe this !! I had the starter out and it tested bad, bench test and at O'Reilly's. While I was pondering which starter to get, I figured what the heck, i've never torn into a starter before, so I did. I found the greasiest, dirtiest motor I have ever seen inside that thing. Cleaned it all up, bench tested again and it worked fine. Put it back on, started the car right up, drove it around a bit, turned it off, started again, several more times. I hope it keeps working, $167.00 saved if it does. Dont think I will ever get my hands and fingernails clean though !! Oh well I can buy alot of GOOP for $167.00 !!! Thanks for all the info !!!

How were the Brushes? But glad to hear you go away so easily.. I am not that Lucky...LMAO