Gear reduction starter?

[GTRS Fiero]

Supposedly, less draw on the battery.  Our starters are 30+ years old.  I do not want my starter to give up the ghost when I'm out and about.

[Raydar]

It is less draw on the battery. The motor itself is smaller and lighter than the direct drive starter motor.
Because of the gear reduction, it spins faster, but doesn't have to provide as much torque. That faster speed, combined with the gear drive, is probably why they sound different.

Both of my cars have gear reduction starters, and sound different from how they used to.

[GTRS Fiero]

Do you like the new sound?

[Fierofool]

Personally, I didn't have a problem with it. 

[The Art Doctor]

I would not worry about the starters being 30 years old.  I have a two 65+ year old starters in service. Borrowed time, possibly. But as they say your mileage may vary.

It's my understanding from similar threads on pennocks that the hub bub about gear starters was to make them spin faster and start like a new car.  Clean contacts and large gauge wiring goes a long way to fast starting.

[GTRS Fiero]

Mine fires right up.

[The Art Doctor]

So does mine,if it ain't broke....

[Wreck It Ralph]

Mine is a bit sluggish and I’m going to replace it and the alternator when I do the battery cables just as a precaution.

[Raydar]

Do you like the new sound?

I do. It's a higher pitch, and just sounds less... labored? (But, as posted earlier, it may just be a function of new vs old.)

[GTRS Fiero]

Mine has sounded better.  My cables are good.

[Fierofool]

If anyone needs a starter I have at least 3 V6 starters.  Same as the L4 but with more torque.

[Wreck It Ralph]

If anyone needs a starter I have at least 3 V6 starters.  Same as the L4 but with more torque.

If we change to the new gear reduction starter then it’s the same starter for V6 or L4, correct? And the gear reduction started have more torque, correct?

[Fierofool]

The 4 and 6 cylinder starters physically look the same and bolt to either engine.  The auto parts store once told me the V6 starter had more amperage/torque.  Then the subject replacement starter has even more torque.   

[GTRS Fiero]

The new starter is in.  It looks good, and works great!

[GTRS Fiero]

I have never seen that starter bracket on any Fiero.

My Fiero did not have that bracket, either.

One thing of note: the original starter had 3 bolt ears.  The new one only has 2.