High torque starter completed

October 07, 2009, 07:13:29 PM

Just completed the pmgr starter upgrade on my 3.8 cougar and it works great. Got the starter for $5 from a 95 mustang and installed it... after doing this a couple times...

Turns out is not *as easy* of a process as the site makes it sound, so just a couple tips for anybody thinking about doing it, and are as dumb as I am:

1. Make sure you have a jack, because just in case you weren't aware, you remove the motor mount bolts and jack up the motor in order to get the starter out.
2. Make sure you have a ratchet with a LOT of extension and a u-joint in order to get the top bolt detached
3. You'll probably need a drill and a large bit in order to put a big enough hole in the battery cable connector so that it will fit over the post on the new starter.
4. You'll probably want to go out and get a new solenoid just in case you do the idiotic thins I do, like BREAK you're cheap plastic stock one when switching the wires around by over tightening the nuts. Plus it can't hurt anything by having a new one...
5. You'll need about 5 feet of 16-12 gauge wire for the wiring change, which is a little unclear to beginners. -props to vinnietbird btw for indirectly helping me out w/ that process- If you don't fully understand the wiring change, it must be done because the new starter comes with the solenoid attached already, so now instead of sending the all of the battery power from your existing solenoid to the new one, you simply need a small wire to tell the starter to engage. All you do is switch ALL of your wires to the side of the solenoid closest to the battery, and then run the new small guage one from the now empty side of your solenoid to the small male spade terminal on the side of the new starter. The huge existing wire moves to the large terminal at the top of the new starter to give the solenoid permanent battery power access. (also note when I speak about sides of the solenoid, this is for a car with the solenoid on the drivers side).

No, I'm obviously not a friggen expert, and most of you have probably done this before with much less hassle, and could have points where I'm wrong, but this is merely to help out anyone who is in the same shoes as myself and would like to keep from turning what should be a 30 minute job into a 2-hour job like I did.
Good luck all

heres a picture diagram for help.

High torque starter completed

Reply #1 – October 07, 2009, 07:23:00 PM

I did the swap on my 5.0 some time ago (maybe 2 years ago).Great upgrade,and for me,I installed the started,moved the cable and added a wire.Done.The 3G is also a great upgrade,and well worth it.It did take me a while to get used to the starter sound.It always reminded me of a Mopar.LOL.

Good tips for everyone.Thanks.

High torque starter completed

Reply #2 – October 07, 2009, 07:26:50 PM

I have read tiny little points here and there about the 3G... that is a high performance alternator right? What is the story about all that jazz?

High torque starter completed

Reply #3 – October 07, 2009, 07:36:07 PM

Well,I had a 65 amp alternator to begin with.In the winter time,I would use my heater,lights,rear defroster,radio,and fog lights if needed.Man,the alternator couldn't kep up at all.I did the 3G conversion about 3 years ago,and now,my lights don't even dim when every button in the car is turned on.One of the best upgrades I ever did. My 3G is 130 amps.

High torque starter completed

Reply #4 – October 11, 2009, 07:54:59 PM

yeah, thats cool I'll have to check that out