starter heat shield...aluminum or blanket?

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smoothandlow84

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Wondering what the consensus is on the two options for starter heat soak...as I have long tube headers and don't want this issue. Which works better, if there is even a difference OTHER than ease of install.
 

smoothandlow84

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...and I know some peeps will suggest a different type of starter....I want to retain my factory starter and just keep it happy for now and avoid heat related issues.
 

yevgenievich

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I bought a blanket, and after failing to install bolted in an aluminium shield. No performace results, just ease of install
 

1low4x4

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I have the smaller newer vortec starter, and when I bought it it was because hear from long tubes killed my old one. I wrapped it with the heat blanket thing last year and have never looked back. Zero problems
 

highdesertrange

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install a hot start on it. highdesertranger
 

bucket

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I've said it before and I'll say it here too, lol. I've never ever had a hot start issue due to headers. And I put headers on everything. The only hot start issues I've ever had were from **** batteries and **** starters. And just because it's a new battery or starter, doesn't mean it's good. Some are crap right off the shelf.
 

1973c10

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I use a blanket on mine with no problems and easy to install
 

Olin

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I just wrapped my starter with a heat blanket. Didn’t do anything, except maybe help the cool down time before the starter works again. Not very good at all. But if a starter is bad, ya can’t fix it with a blanket! Next I’m thinking about an upgrade to either a new mini starter, or a higher amp starter. The high amp starters are kind of expensive, but I’m planning on installing headers at some point. Any thoughts on what’s the better bet? The mini starter would give more space to work with.
 

bucket

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The small-body starter used on the '95 and newer trucks. By FAR the best bang for the buck. They do take shorter mounting bolts though.

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rpcraft

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Personally I'd make an aluminum one with some of that DEI gold reflective material on it to really do a great job.
 

Smindustries

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Personally I'd make an aluminum one with some of that DEI gold reflective material on it to really do a great job.

In theory, that’s a good idea because of the reflectivity of the shiny gold material. In application, there’s so much filth that accumulates down there that the gold isn’t going to shiny for long.

That stuff works great on race cars that are torn down after every event, but not so well on street cars.
 

Snoots

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Shield type. No blanket.

My 2 cents.
 

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