Starter Choice and Specification

Roadrunner Starters offer the customer many options when it comes to choosing the right high-performance starter for the job. There are many considerations for the customer to make.

What are the performance requirements?

The starter must be able to start the engine repeatedly when required to do without generating so much heat internally that it fails prematurely. Starting an engine demands a certain amount of torque for cranking. When the torque demands on a starter exceed it's capabilities the low electrical to mechanical efficiency drastically increases internal heat.

When choosing a starter for your high compression, large displacement or supercharged engine with high rotational resistance, you can never have too much torque!

Other factors also play a part. Voltage is paramount, at least 9.5volts at the starter during cranking.

The starter circuit can draw as much as 500amps so the current carrying capabilities of cabling, terminals and switches, and the CCA rating and condition of the battery must be adequate for the task.

I'm using non-OEM components that may change the starter fitment and orientation.

Engine re-powers, header installation, flywheel and flex plate replacement together with a multitude of other engine component and vehicle modifications can make starter choice critical. Not only must the starter crank the engine but first it must physically fit the application!

To make starter fitment possible, Roadrunner starters are very compact and adjustable. They are available with “clockable” mounting plates that allow the starter to be rotated and orientated in a position that clears all obstacles. Our starters are also able to be “shimmed” to obtain correct pinion clearance when changes to flywheels and flex plates are made. Battery stud and terminal
configuration can be varied in many applications also. Of course some applications will still require a “custom” made starter rather than one of our 300 “off the shelf” models, often we can provide this service at no extra cost over that of stock units!

Do I plan further changes in the future?

It is possible to “future proof” your vehicles starter requirements by purchasing a higher performance or more adjustable starter prior to the changes that are intended at a later date. For a few dollars more the next level of performance can be obtained to ensure that once further modifications are made to the vehicle your starter will still deliver optimal performance and fitment.

Starter classification and specification

12volt

1.0kw (1.35hp), 100 series starters:

  • petrol powered applications
  • up to 11.5:1 compression ratio
  • 4.4:1 gear reduction
  • 525 ft/lb's torque
  • available in cw and ccw
  • 4.5kg
  • 425a max. current draw
  • pull-in/hold-in current draw 42a

1.2kw (1.61hp), 800 series starters:

  • petrol powered applications
  • up to 11.5:1 compression ratio
  • 4.4:1 gear reduction
  • 525 ft/lb's torque
  • available in cw and ccw
  • 4.4kg
  • 425a max. current draw
  • pull-in/hold-in current draw 52a

1.4kw (1.88hp), 800 series starters:

  • petrol/alcohol/forced induction/diesel applications
  • up to 13.5:1 compression ratios
  • 4.4:1 gear reduction
  • 550 ft/lbs's torque
  • available in cw and ccw
  • 4.5kg
  • 470a max. current draw
  • pull-in/hold-in current draw 52a

1.4kw (1.88hp), 700 series starters:

  • petrol/alcohol/forced induction/diesel applications
  • up to 14:1 compression ratio
  • 3.75:1 gear reduction
  • 550 ft/lb's torque
  • available in cw and ccw
  • 4.6kg
  • 480a max. current draw
  • pull-in/hold-in current draw 42a

2.0kw (2.68hp), 900 series starter:

  • petrol/alcohol/forced induction/diesel applications
  • up to 16:1 compression ratio
  • 3.75:1 gear reduction
  • 550 ft/lb's torque
  • available in cw and ccw
  • 4.9kg
  • 500a max. current draw
  • pull-in/hold-in current draw 42a

2.0kw (2.68hp), 2000 series starter:

  • petrol/alcohol/forced induction/diesel applications
  • up to 16:1 compression ratio
  • 4.4:1 gear reduction
  • 550 ft/lb's torque
  • available in cw and ccw
  • 4.8kg
  • 500a max. current draw
  • pull-in/hold-in current draw 52a

2.2kw (2.95hp), 2200 series starter:

  • nitromethane/forced induction/diesel applications
  • up to 18:1 compression ratio
  • 3.75:1 gear reduction
  • 575 ft/lb's torque
  • available in cw and ccw
  • 5.0kg
  • 550a max. current draw
  • pull-in/hold-in current draw 42a

2.7kw (3.62hp), 2500 series starter:

  • diesel applications up to 9.0L 300hp
  • 3.81:1 gear reduction
  • 9kg
  • available in cw and ccw

4.0kw (5.36hp), 4000 series starter:

  • diesel applications up to 12L 400hp
  • 3.89:1 gear reduction
  • available in cw and ccw

5.0kw (6.7hp), R5 series starter:

  • diesel applications over 12L up to 16L
  • 3.89:1 gear reduction
  • cw only, 11kg

 


 

24volt

1.4kw (1.88hp), 100 series starter:

  • petrol and small diesel applications
  • 4.4:1 gear reduction
  • available in cw and ccw

4.5kw (6.03hp), 4500 series starter:

  • diesel applications up to 10L 300hp
  • 3.81:1 gear reduction
  • available in cw and ccw, 9kg

5.5kw (7.37hp), 5500 series starter:

  • diesel applications up to 12L 400hp
  • 3.89:1 gear reduction
  • available in cw and ccw

7.0kw (9.38hp), 7000 series starter:

  • diesel applications over 12L up to 16L
  • 3.89:1 gear reduction
  • cw only, 11kg