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TDI Starter Swap Report


 

1991 VW Vanagon w/ Automatic Transmission
1999 Phase 1 DOHC EJ25.
Stock Vanagon Starter: (Bosch SR25X)

After my 99 DOHC EJ25 had been running for awhile and was well warmed
up i'd notice that more often than not, the stock starter would
struggle to turn the engine over. Gave the symptoms of a tired
battery and urged me to issue a silent plea in order to get her to
fire up. She always did but not without at least a little worry.
I did research on the following possible replacement options:
65-89 Porsche 911 Bosch SR68X (fits with modifications to mating flange
Gear Reduction Starter
TDI Starter (requires adaptor plate) SR0409X or SR0408X (fits
1998-2003 TDI Beetles. MK-4 Body Style 1999.5-2003 Golf and Jetta)

I ended up going with the TDI starter and adaptor flange. I chose the
SR0409X model starter as it has a bit more power. I found it out on
ebay for about $86 USD including shipping.
I purchased my adaptor flange from Westy Ventures
(). I paid $72 USD including
shipping.

Result:
The installation was a breeze. I did have to build a small pigtail
which allowed me to feed my ignition line and subaru ecu start signal
wires to the starter. I also had to modify my vanagon alternator wire
connector a bit to allow it to fit on the shorter stud on the new
starter. The rest was a simple process of bolting up the flange and
starter and testing.
The sound of the starter is very different than the stock vanagon
starter which takes some getting used to. It turns the engine much
faster and starts her up quicker. There is absolutely no strain with
a warm engine anymore. It turns the engine as fast as, or faster
than, the subaru starter when the engine was still in it's donor car.
I'd recommend this replacement to anyone who is experiencing symptoms
like i did and wants to improve starting performance.

All the best,
Brent



--
Brent Weide
Portland, Oregon
www.weidefamily.net/vanagon/


 

We used the same TDI starter and adapter on an SVX a couple years ago and it has held up well. Just a couple weeks ago I put another one on my 2.2. They work great as Brent says.
Craig

--- On Tue, 4/3/12, Brent Weide <brent.weide@...> wrote:

From: Brent Weide <brent.weide@...>
Subject: [subaruvanagon] TDI Starter Swap Report
To: subaruvanagon@...
Date: Tuesday, April 3, 2012, 11:19 AM
















?









1991 VW Vanagon w/ Automatic Transmission

1999 Phase 1 DOHC EJ25.

Stock Vanagon Starter: (Bosch SR25X)



After my 99 DOHC EJ25 had been running for awhile and was well warmed

up i'd notice that more often than not, the stock starter would

struggle to turn the engine over. Gave the symptoms of a tired

battery and urged me to issue a silent plea in order to get her to

fire up. She always did but not without at least a little worry.

I did research on the following possible replacement options:

65-89 Porsche 911 Bosch SR68X (fits with modifications to mating flange

Gear Reduction Starter

TDI Starter (requires adaptor plate) SR0409X or SR0408X (fits

1998-2003 TDI Beetles. MK-4 Body Style 1999.5-2003 Golf and Jetta)



I ended up going with the TDI starter and adaptor flange. I chose the

SR0409X model starter as it has a bit more power. I found it out on

ebay for about $86 USD including shipping.

I purchased my adaptor flange from Westy Ventures

(). I paid $72 USD including

shipping.



Result:

The installation was a breeze. I did have to build a small pigtail

which allowed me to feed my ignition line and subaru ecu start signal

wires to the starter. I also had to modify my vanagon alternator wire

connector a bit to allow it to fit on the shorter stud on the new

starter. The rest was a simple process of bolting up the flange and

starter and testing.

The sound of the starter is very different than the stock vanagon

starter which takes some getting used to. It turns the engine much

faster and starts her up quicker. There is absolutely no strain with

a warm engine anymore. It turns the engine as fast as, or faster

than, the subaru starter when the engine was still in it's donor car.

I'd recommend this replacement to anyone who is experiencing symptoms

like i did and wants to improve starting performance.



All the best,

Brent



--

Brent Weide

Portland, Oregon

www.weidefamily.net/vanagon/

























[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


 

i have a 1991 Westy Syncro with it's second 2.5L soon to be installed. I was running into the same problem before the motor blew.

I was planning on putting in a NEW STOCK started form my van. I recall reading somewhere it had enough crankin power.

Should I go with the TDI or stick with the stock guy. I do not believe there is much of a difference in price.

Thanks

--- In subaruvanagon@..., Brent Weide <brent.weide@...> wrote:

1991 VW Vanagon w/ Automatic Transmission
1999 Phase 1 DOHC EJ25.
Stock Vanagon Starter: (Bosch SR25X)

After my 99 DOHC EJ25 had been running for awhile and was well warmed
up i'd notice that more often than not, the stock starter would
struggle to turn the engine over. Gave the symptoms of a tired
battery and urged me to issue a silent plea in order to get her to
fire up. She always did but not without at least a little worry.
I did research on the following possible replacement options:
65-89 Porsche 911 Bosch SR68X (fits with modifications to mating flange
Gear Reduction Starter
TDI Starter (requires adaptor plate) SR0409X or SR0408X (fits
1998-2003 TDI Beetles. MK-4 Body Style 1999.5-2003 Golf and Jetta)

I ended up going with the TDI starter and adaptor flange. I chose the
SR0409X model starter as it has a bit more power. I found it out on
ebay for about $86 USD including shipping.
I purchased my adaptor flange from Westy Ventures
(). I paid $72 USD including
shipping.

Result:
The installation was a breeze. I did have to build a small pigtail
which allowed me to feed my ignition line and subaru ecu start signal
wires to the starter. I also had to modify my vanagon alternator wire
connector a bit to allow it to fit on the shorter stud on the new
starter. The rest was a simple process of bolting up the flange and
starter and testing.
The sound of the starter is very different than the stock vanagon
starter which takes some getting used to. It turns the engine much
faster and starts her up quicker. There is absolutely no strain with
a warm engine anymore. It turns the engine as fast as, or faster
than, the subaru starter when the engine was still in it's donor car.
I'd recommend this replacement to anyone who is experiencing symptoms
like i did and wants to improve starting performance.

All the best,
Brent



--
Brent Weide
Portland, Oregon
www.weidefamily.net/vanagon/


 

I have a stock starter in my 1987 Syncro (2.5also), been working fine for years (knock on wood)

?
Sean G


________________________________
From: Terry <gannont15@...>
To: subaruvanagon@...
Sent: Tuesday, April 3, 2012 4:24 PM
Subject: [subaruvanagon] Re: TDI Starter Swap Report


?
i have a 1991 Westy Syncro with it's second 2.5L soon to be installed. I was running into the same problem before the motor blew.

I was planning on putting in a NEW STOCK started form my van. I recall reading somewhere it had enough crankin power.

Should I go with the TDI or stick with the stock guy. I do not believe there is much of a difference in price.

Thanks

--- In subaruvanagon@..., Brent Weide <brent.weide@...> wrote:

1991 VW Vanagon w/ Automatic Transmission
1999 Phase 1 DOHC EJ25.
Stock Vanagon Starter: (Bosch SR25X)

After my 99 DOHC EJ25 had been running for awhile and was well warmed
up i'd notice that more often than not, the stock starter would
struggle to turn the engine over. Gave the symptoms of a tired
battery and urged me to issue a silent plea in order to get her to
fire up. She always did but not without at least a little worry.
I did research on the following possible replacement options:
65-89 Porsche 911 Bosch SR68X (fits with modifications to mating flange
Gear Reduction Starter
TDI Starter (requires adaptor plate) SR0409X or SR0408X (fits
1998-2003 TDI Beetles. MK-4 Body Style 1999.5-2003 Golf and Jetta)

I ended up going with the TDI starter and adaptor flange. I chose the
SR0409X model starter as it has a bit more power. I found it out on
ebay for about $86 USD including shipping.
I purchased my adaptor flange from Westy Ventures
(). I paid $72 USD including
shipping.

Result:
The installation was a breeze. I did have to build a small pigtail
which allowed me to feed my ignition line and subaru ecu start signal
wires to the starter. I also had to modify my vanagon alternator wire
connector a bit to allow it to fit on the shorter stud on the new
starter. The rest was a simple process of bolting up the flange and
starter and testing.
The sound of the starter is very different than the stock vanagon
starter which takes some getting used to. It turns the engine much
faster and starts her up quicker. There is absolutely no strain with
a warm engine anymore. It turns the engine as fast as, or faster
than, the subaru starter when the engine was still in it's donor car.
I'd recommend this replacement to anyone who is experiencing symptoms
like i did and wants to improve starting performance.

All the best,
Brent



--
Brent Weide
Portland, Oregon
www.weidefamily.net/vanagon/



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


 

Terry: My recommendation - as per my writeup, is that the tdi starter
is far superior to the stock vanagon starter. My vanagon starter was
fresh so my comparison is new against new.
I believe you'll appreciate the torque in the tdi starter, especially
when your engine is warm.
Brent

On Tue, Apr 3, 2012 at 4:36 PM, Sean Garrett <doit.outdoors@...> wrote:
I have a stock starter in my 1987 Syncro (2.5also), been working fine for years (knock on wood)


Sean G


________________________________
?From: Terry <gannont15@...>
To: subaruvanagon@...
Sent: Tuesday, April 3, 2012 4:24 PM
Subject: [subaruvanagon] Re: TDI Starter Swap Report



i have a 1991 Westy Syncro with it's second 2.5L soon to be installed. ?I was running into the same problem before the motor blew.

I was planning on putting in a NEW STOCK started form my van. ?I recall reading somewhere it had enough crankin power.

Should I go with the TDI or stick with the stock guy. ?I do not believe there is much of a difference in price.

Thanks

--- In subaruvanagon@..., Brent Weide <brent.weide@...> wrote:

1991 VW Vanagon w/ Automatic Transmission
1999 Phase 1 DOHC EJ25.
Stock Vanagon Starter: (Bosch SR25X)

After my 99 DOHC EJ25 had been running for awhile and was well warmed
up i'd notice that more often than not, the stock starter would
struggle to turn the engine over. ?Gave the symptoms of a tired
battery and urged me to issue a silent plea in order to get her to
fire up. ?She always did but not without at least a little worry.
I did research on the following possible replacement options:
65-89 Porsche 911 Bosch SR68X (fits with modifications to mating flange
Gear Reduction Starter
TDI Starter (requires adaptor plate) SR0409X or SR0408X (fits
1998-2003 TDI Beetles. MK-4 Body Style 1999.5-2003 Golf and Jetta)

I ended up going with the TDI starter and adaptor flange. ?I chose the
SR0409X model starter as it has a bit more power. ?I found it out on
ebay for about $86 USD including shipping.
I purchased my adaptor flange from Westy Ventures
(). I paid $72 USD including
shipping.

Result:
The installation was a breeze. ?I did have to build a small pigtail
which allowed me to feed my ignition line and subaru ecu start signal
wires to the starter. ?I also had to modify my vanagon alternator wire
connector a bit to allow it to fit on the shorter stud on the new
starter. ?The rest was a simple process of bolting up the flange and
starter and testing.
The sound of the starter is very different than the stock vanagon
starter which takes some getting used to. ?It turns the engine much
faster and starts her up quicker. ?There is absolutely no strain with
a warm engine anymore. ?It turns the engine as fast as, or faster
than, the subaru starter when the engine was still in it's donor car.
I'd recommend this replacement to anyone who is experiencing symptoms
like i did and wants to improve starting performance.

All the best,
Brent



--
Brent Weide
Portland, Oregon
www.weidefamily.net/vanagon/



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



------------------------------------

Yahoo! Groups Links




--
Brent Weide
Portland, Oregon
www.weidefamily.net/vanagon/


Larry Hamm
 

He'll also appreciate it when it's very cold...

It's nice to get a good strong crank on these high compression engines when it's -25F outside! I've had mine for about five years now, and wouldn't trade for anything. The only minor installation drawback is having to use the long difflock actuator bracket, with a notch cut out, on a Syncro.

Larry H.

On 4/3/2012 6:10 PM, Brent Weide wrote:
Terry: My recommendation - as per my writeup, is that the tdi starter
is far superior to the stock vanagon starter. My vanagon starter was
fresh so my comparison is new against new.
I believe you'll appreciate the torque in the tdi starter, especially
when your engine is warm.
Brent


 

It's huge PITA to install TDI starter in Syncro, requiring grinding
difflock actuator and a bit of starter itself just to get it in
I tried and gave up
My old stock starter works just fine with 2.5 Suby
Not all TDI starters are good, chinese made are crap
Leon

On 4/3/2012 6:10 PM, Brent Weide wrote:

Terry: My recommendation - as per my writeup, is that the tdi starter
is far superior to the stock vanagon starter. My vanagon starter was
fresh so my comparison is new against new.
I believe you'll appreciate the torque in the tdi starter, especially
when your engine is warm.
Brent

On Tue, Apr 3, 2012 at 4:36 PM, Sean Garrett <doit.outdoors@...
<mailto:doit.outdoors%40yahoo.com>> wrote:
I have a stock starter in my 1987 Syncro (2.5also), been working
fine for years (knock on wood)


Sean G


________________________________
From: Terry <gannont15@... <mailto:gannont15%40yahoo.com>>
To: subaruvanagon@...
<mailto:subaruvanagon%40yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 3, 2012 4:24 PM
Subject: [subaruvanagon] Re: TDI Starter Swap Report



i have a 1991 Westy Syncro with it's second 2.5L soon to be
installed. I was running into the same problem before the motor blew.

I was planning on putting in a NEW STOCK started form my van. I
recall reading somewhere it had enough crankin power.

Should I go with the TDI or stick with the stock guy. I do not
believe there is much of a difference in price.

Thanks

--- In subaruvanagon@...
<mailto:subaruvanagon%40yahoogroups.com>, Brent Weide
<brent.weide@...> wrote:

1991 VW Vanagon w/ Automatic Transmission
1999 Phase 1 DOHC EJ25.
Stock Vanagon Starter: (Bosch SR25X)

After my 99 DOHC EJ25 had been running for awhile and was well warmed
up i'd notice that more often than not, the stock starter would
struggle to turn the engine over. Gave the symptoms of a tired
battery and urged me to issue a silent plea in order to get her to
fire up. She always did but not without at least a little worry.
I did research on the following possible replacement options:
65-89 Porsche 911 Bosch SR68X (fits with modifications to mating flange
Gear Reduction Starter
TDI Starter (requires adaptor plate) SR0409X or SR0408X (fits
1998-2003 TDI Beetles. MK-4 Body Style 1999.5-2003 Golf and Jetta)

I ended up going with the TDI starter and adaptor flange. I chose the
SR0409X model starter as it has a bit more power. I found it out on
ebay for about $86 USD including shipping.
I purchased my adaptor flange from Westy Ventures
(). I paid $72 USD including
shipping.

Result:
The installation was a breeze. I did have to build a small pigtail
which allowed me to feed my ignition line and subaru ecu start signal
wires to the starter. I also had to modify my vanagon alternator wire
connector a bit to allow it to fit on the shorter stud on the new
starter. The rest was a simple process of bolting up the flange and
starter and testing.
The sound of the starter is very different than the stock vanagon
starter which takes some getting used to. It turns the engine much
faster and starts her up quicker. There is absolutely no strain with
a warm engine anymore. It turns the engine as fast as, or faster
than, the subaru starter when the engine was still in it's donor car.
I'd recommend this replacement to anyone who is experiencing symptoms
like i did and wants to improve starting performance.

All the best,
Brent



--
Brent Weide
Portland, Oregon
www.weidefamily.net/vanagon/







------------------------------------

Yahoo! Groups Links


--
Brent Weide
Portland, Oregon
www.weidefamily.net/vanagon/


mario
 

I stuck a TDI starter in my syncro last summer and the work to get it in wasn't difficult, a few minutes of grinding and it was in place and happy. The rebuilt bosch TDI starter was a big improvement for turning over my EJ22 over the bosch 1hp starter that I removed.

Mario

--- In subaruvanagon@..., Leon Korkin <korkwood@...> wrote:

It's huge PITA to install TDI starter in Syncro, requiring grinding
difflock actuator and a bit of starter itself just to get it in
I tried and gave up
My old stock starter works just fine with 2.5 Suby
Not all TDI starters are good, chinese made are crap
Leon

On 4/3/2012 6:10 PM, Brent Weide wrote:

Terry: My recommendation - as per my writeup, is that the tdi starter
is far superior to the stock vanagon starter. My vanagon starter was
fresh so my comparison is new against new.
I believe you'll appreciate the torque in the tdi starter, especially
when your engine is warm.
Brent

On Tue, Apr 3, 2012 at 4:36 PM, Sean Garrett <doit.outdoors@...
<mailto:doit.outdoors%40yahoo.com>> wrote:
I have a stock starter in my 1987 Syncro (2.5also), been working
fine for years (knock on wood)


Sean G


________________________________
From: Terry <gannont15@... <mailto:gannont15%40yahoo.com>>
To: subaruvanagon@...
<mailto:subaruvanagon%40yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 3, 2012 4:24 PM
Subject: [subaruvanagon] Re: TDI Starter Swap Report



i have a 1991 Westy Syncro with it's second 2.5L soon to be
installed. I was running into the same problem before the motor blew.

I was planning on putting in a NEW STOCK started form my van. I
recall reading somewhere it had enough crankin power.

Should I go with the TDI or stick with the stock guy. I do not
believe there is much of a difference in price.

Thanks

--- In subaruvanagon@...
<mailto:subaruvanagon%40yahoogroups.com>, Brent Weide
<brent.weide@> wrote:

1991 VW Vanagon w/ Automatic Transmission
1999 Phase 1 DOHC EJ25.
Stock Vanagon Starter: (Bosch SR25X)

After my 99 DOHC EJ25 had been running for awhile and was well warmed
up i'd notice that more often than not, the stock starter would
struggle to turn the engine over. Gave the symptoms of a tired
battery and urged me to issue a silent plea in order to get her to
fire up. She always did but not without at least a little worry.
I did research on the following possible replacement options:
65-89 Porsche 911 Bosch SR68X (fits with modifications to mating flange
Gear Reduction Starter
TDI Starter (requires adaptor plate) SR0409X or SR0408X (fits
1998-2003 TDI Beetles. MK-4 Body Style 1999.5-2003 Golf and Jetta)

I ended up going with the TDI starter and adaptor flange. I chose the
SR0409X model starter as it has a bit more power. I found it out on
ebay for about $86 USD including shipping.
I purchased my adaptor flange from Westy Ventures
(). I paid $72 USD including
shipping.

Result:
The installation was a breeze. I did have to build a small pigtail
which allowed me to feed my ignition line and subaru ecu start signal
wires to the starter. I also had to modify my vanagon alternator wire
connector a bit to allow it to fit on the shorter stud on the new
starter. The rest was a simple process of bolting up the flange and
starter and testing.
The sound of the starter is very different than the stock vanagon
starter which takes some getting used to. It turns the engine much
faster and starts her up quicker. There is absolutely no strain with
a warm engine anymore. It turns the engine as fast as, or faster
than, the subaru starter when the engine was still in it's donor car.
I'd recommend this replacement to anyone who is experiencing symptoms
like i did and wants to improve starting performance.

All the best,
Brent



--
Brent Weide
Portland, Oregon
www.weidefamily.net/vanagon/







------------------------------------

Yahoo! Groups Links


--
Brent Weide
Portland, Oregon
www.weidefamily.net/vanagon/



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


 

Wondering if I should add this to my list of items to do for my up coming conversion.

Matt

--- In subaruvanagon@..., Brent Weide <brent.weide@...> wrote:

1991 VW Vanagon w/ Automatic Transmission
1999 Phase 1 DOHC EJ25.
Stock Vanagon Starter: (Bosch SR25X)

After my 99 DOHC EJ25 had been running for awhile and was well warmed
up i'd notice that more often than not, the stock starter would
struggle to turn the engine over. Gave the symptoms of a tired
battery and urged me to issue a silent plea in order to get her to
fire up. She always did but not without at least a little worry.
I did research on the following possible replacement options:
65-89 Porsche 911 Bosch SR68X (fits with modifications to mating flange
Gear Reduction Starter
TDI Starter (requires adaptor plate) SR0409X or SR0408X (fits
1998-2003 TDI Beetles. MK-4 Body Style 1999.5-2003 Golf and Jetta)

I ended up going with the TDI starter and adaptor flange. I chose the
SR0409X model starter as it has a bit more power. I found it out on
ebay for about $86 USD including shipping.
I purchased my adaptor flange from Westy Ventures
(). I paid $72 USD including
shipping.

Result:
The installation was a breeze. I did have to build a small pigtail
which allowed me to feed my ignition line and subaru ecu start signal
wires to the starter. I also had to modify my vanagon alternator wire
connector a bit to allow it to fit on the shorter stud on the new
starter. The rest was a simple process of bolting up the flange and
starter and testing.
The sound of the starter is very different than the stock vanagon
starter which takes some getting used to. It turns the engine much
faster and starts her up quicker. There is absolutely no strain with
a warm engine anymore. It turns the engine as fast as, or faster
than, the subaru starter when the engine was still in it's donor car.
I'd recommend this replacement to anyone who is experiencing symptoms
like i did and wants to improve starting performance.

All the best,
Brent



--
Brent Weide
Portland, Oregon
www.weidefamily.net/vanagon/