installing a starter motor

[gwoodtitansz28]

anyone have any helpful hints on how to install a starter motor on an lt1 with stock exhaust? i am going to attempt it and was just wondering if there was anything to look out for when doing this. do i really have to take off the cat?

[KissMyWhtSS]

IIRC with a auto you will have to pull the y pipe.

I did not have to on my '97 Z28 6 speed but it was a TIGHT fit getting it out, so I'd almost recommend doing it anyway. Other than that its a few bolts and a pretty easy job. Just like doing a alternator except it's undernath the car and a pain to pull out after unbolting.

[gwoodtitansz28]

ok i guess ill try it without taking out the y pipe and see if i have any luck but i looks pretty tight....maybe ill just cut off the whole exhaust

[96lt1m6]

now is the time to wish that you had longtubes....starter removal with LTs is a snap,takes longer to jack up the car and disconnect the battery!
spray the y-pipe bolts with wd40 loosen the y and the starter is easier to deal with...

[gwoodtitansz28]

now is the time to wish that you had longtubes....starter removal with LTs is a snap,takes longer to jack up the car and disconnect the battery!
spray the y-pipe bolts with wd40 loosen the y and the starter is easier to deal with...

too bad i dont have the money for longtubes or i would go ahead and put those on too...

[Brandon]

Is the passenger side cat in a different place on 96's? I know I didn't have to remove any exhaust on my 95 with an auto to change the starter.

[gwoodtitansz28]

ya the pipe runs right under the starter

[will]

You don't have to take the y-pipe off, but you do have to move the trans cooler lines out of the way. I wouldn't take the y-pipe off and risk breaking a bolt when you can finesse it out.

When I did it, first I disconnected and dismounted the starter, set it on top of the y-pipe. Next remove the dust shield from the trans. Then I moved the trans-cooler lines out of the way a bit (You only need a few inches. There's a screw that holds down near the front of the car, just follow the lines until you find it.) Then just slide the starter out of the gap between the y-pipe and the body. It works, you may have to play with it a little, but it works.

[IronOutlaw]

I pulled the starter out of my 97 with no problem...

[Brandon]

ya the pipe runs right under the starterIt does on a 95 also, but you still don't have to move it to remove the starter. The question is; is passenger side of the y-pipe in the same location on a 95 and 96?
If it is, you just have to maneuver it around to get it out. It will only come out one way, but it will come out without removing anything else.

[gwoodtitansz28]

i guess ill just try to get it out without moving anything but if i have to ill start taking stuff off.

[gwoodtitansz28]

ok i finally got around to stalling that starter. i could not get it out. the y pipe looked to much of a pain to remove so i just disconected the transmission fluid lines at the front of the car and pulled them down to get it out. IT WAS SUCH A PAIN IN THE ASS!!!!

[KissMyWhtSS]

Yup, and it was pretty easy in my '97 Z28, because it was a 6 speed. It took a little wrestling but I was able to get it out without removing the ypipe or anything.

[Jeff400w]

I remember when I first started working on my 96 A4, what a pain in the butt.
Now with LT's,AIR and EGR delete, and A/C delete , its actually easy to work on.
I know that's not for everyone, but there is hope.

[YZF]

My single cat car with the M6 was a breeze to get out :). Now with the LTs I think it could pretty much fall out on its own.

[gwoodtitansz28]

ya well atleast its running now and i can drive it a little before it starts snowing