2005 3.5 Starter comparison to the 1987 2.8 Starter (Page 1/4)
Inferno JUL 26, 12:32 AM
Here is a complete comparison between a 2005 3.5L Starter from an Impala to my stock 1987 2.8L starter from my Fiero GT





This is the biggest difference between the two starters. The power connections. You will need to use the Stock plug and wires from the 3.2L Starter and splice it into the 2.8L Starter lines.


Stock 2.8L Starter has mounting holes at 3 1/4" on center


3.5L Starter has the mounting holes at 3 1/4" on center


2.8L Starter long bolt carrier length is 3 1/4"


3.5L Starter long bolt carrier length is 3 1/4"


2.8L Starter Snout depth is 2 1/8"


3.5L Starter Snout depth is 1 5/8"


2.8L Starter Snout width is 2 3/4"


3.5L Starter Snout width is 2 3/8"


Now here is the biggest question most may want to know the Weight difference.

2.8L Starter Weight is 13.8 lbs.


3.5L Starter Weight is 6.4 lbs


Thats a weight savings of 7.4 lbs.

I will go back to my shop tomorrow and grab the plug so I can install it into my GT. I will post pics of my process after.

Cheers
BULL
dematrix86gt JUL 26, 12:53 AM
great comparison!!! . just 2 ?s. did you fix that oil leak and do you live on a dirt road? Ive seen starters caked up that bad and with the heat in a engine bay like the fiero that starter cant cool off. it holds the heat inside the starter. Leading cause for draging starters is wear from heat. that and bad timing.
Inferno JUL 26, 01:00 AM
Actually I just bought my first 87 GT two weeks ago, and I have been cleaning it up so I can start to work on it. It does have some major leaks that I have already in the works to fix. As a matter of fact tonight before I removed the starter I sprayed a can of engine cleaner on the bottom of the engine but it only did so much. No BTW I dont live on a dirt road, but where I bought the car was out in the country side along a dirt road.

[This message has been edited by Inferno (edited 07-26-2013).]

dematrix86gt JUL 26, 01:04 AM
This is my first GT also. I bought mine converted to a crate 3.4 already. My starter is that small but a gear reduction one. The guy i bought it from said he switched it to the Late model Olds starter. Works like a champ too!!
trotterlg JUL 26, 01:09 AM
There are dozens fo starters that fit these things and have been uses over the years. I think that the best advice is that if ti fits use it. Larry

[This message has been edited by trotterlg (edited 07-26-2013).]

Inferno JUL 26, 01:13 AM
ok Larry. Years, Makes and models please. That is what I am trying to do here. Give people more information so they can go find one. If you know of some then please share and we can start to build a reference database for everyone to use. ;-)
dematrix86gt JUL 26, 01:13 AM
That and if its cheap! Because we do go thru several parts
Patrick JUL 26, 01:21 AM

Might want to check out this archived thread Here.

I picked up two starters last weekend from the local Pick-a-Part for $17.95 apiece from a couple of 3800 engines, one SC and one NA.

The SC starter (1.7kw) is a tiny bit longer than the NA one (1.5kw).

The NA one will go on my duke, the SC one on my Formula.
Inferno JUL 26, 01:26 AM
Looks to me that the 3800 starter and the 3.5 starter are the same monsters.
trotterlg JUL 26, 01:27 AM
I think any of the GM starters that use the inline bolt holes will work. That covers a very wide range of vehicles and makers, probably more than can be listed. I think most all of the 3800's will fit, just take a look at one and you can easily tell if it will fit. I have one from a 2000 Buick on my 3100 96 Olds carbed setup now. Larry