Starter Upgrade?

[Guest Anonymous]

My starter motor, unfortunately, is about to give up the ghost. So, looking through the archives, I have learned that a popular upgrade from the stock '02 Bosch motor is the e30 m3 motor, lighter and more torque. This raises two questions for me:

1. Is the gain in torque/cranking speed a moot point for a normal compression motor? And is there any difference between the two motors in terms of durability/reliability?

2. What challenges does the newer motor pose for installation? As a pathetically inexperienced mechanic, I'm looking for a very straightforward, more or less bolt off-bolt on installation. Does one need different bolts, mounting bracket, and/or electrical modifications?

Thanks in advance!

Hugh

[jgerock]

Hugh -

From what I have read here, installation of the smaller S14 (E30 M3) starter depends on the year of your 2002 and whether or not you have an Auto vs. manual transmission.

I installed the smaller starter on my 73tii earlier this year and love it. My installation did not require any modifications.

[JohnN]

It is much easier to find than the E30 S14 starter (and much less expensive), you should be able to go to most any boneyard and find one. Since it was designed to spin 50% more cylinders, it has no problem making the M10 turn over.

Yes it's heavier than the E30 S14 starter, if you're worried that much about weight in your car, maybe you should skip that ice cream for dessert.

John N

[eurotrash]

I put one in my 75. If you have an automatic, the kick down Linkage bracket makes things interesting But In either car, it's harder to get your old starter out than it is to get the smaller s14 starter in. You can skip the rear support that the stock starter uses, only needing the two bolts at the trans becuase of the light weight nature of the lil' guy.

You'll love the new found ability to bump start your car. It cranks like a mofo.

[Scott Sislane]

Should you go with the newer starter, which only seems to makes sense, read this to avoid blowing the solenoid like I did. The (+) & (-) are reversed from the stock starter:

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/component/option,com_forum/Itemid,50/page,viewtopic/t,343614/highlight,/

With the SR441X, my motor turns faster and starts faster, and the newer starter sounds really cool.

Any motor should benefit from a faster spinning starter. You'll get a faster start, even with a stock motor.

Scott

[Guest Anonymous]

Thanks all -- it looks like the upgrade is the thing to do. Jim, my car is a '76 with the manual. Scott, thanks for the tip about reversing the leads; what you experienced was exactly the kind of thing I was hoping to avoid!

Best,

Hugh

[eurotrash]

Yeah. The lead you want isn't the one you would think! It's the lead that DOESN'T have the braided wire attached to it..

[jgerock]

I have the SR440X (not 441) and the solenoid has (3) connections:

Positive battery terminal lead to # 30 terminal on the new solenoid (located opposite the starter itself). The large, braided wire sends power from the solenoid to the starter motor - do not alter that connection!.

The "trigger" to engage the solenoid from your ignition switch is your existing wire with a female connector to # 50 male spade terminal. You can also use a ring terminal secured to the stud.

Comparison between stock and new starters

Here is a close-up of the solenoid on my old 2002 starter.

[M3M3]

since i have an S14 wiring harness laid out on my living room floor and am reading the E30 M3 ETM tracing wires...

book says on S14 starter, terminal 30 goes to B+, terminal 50 goes to ignition switch. the other terminal, 30h, is used to trip the unloader (k7) relay on an E30. that relay shuts off power to a bunch of systems when starter is engaged so that the starter gets all the juice it can.

fun things to do on a saturday night!

[frittering]

Great thread, this stuff needs to be made into a FAQ. I just installed an SR441X re-manufactured starter (Duralast re-man in Mexico) purchased from AutoZone for $119.99. I used the above pics for reference of wiring and all worked out well. I just wanted to add to this thread a pic that came along with my starter for some more info. BTW - so far I am very impressed with the starter upgrade.

[02sahara]

Will I face any problems on a '76 California Automatic when putting in a S14 starter?

Also are there different part numbers of a S14 starter?

[bergie33]

Other than being more expensive and harder to find than the E34 starter?  S14 starter is SR441x, E34 M30 starter is SR440x.