hey guys, searching around for a starter for my 55 Studebaker I stumbled across this page which seems to offer a gear reduction starter for a lot of different cars. I think it’s the same starter with different flanges and drives on it to suit each engine. Anyhow it seems mostly legit but there’s very Little feed back or trace off them Outside of the website. The Instagram account linked from the webpage looks to have been dormant since 2016, there’s a few videos on you tube from around the same period. Anyone heard of them or used them? Just looking for some feed back on them, and really if they are legit I think it would be a handy source for a lot of guys https://vintageautogarage.com/
Maps shows that their address is a UPS Store, I guess that would not be unusual if he runs it out of his house. The area of San Ramon is known for having a lot of well to do folks living there in fairly large homes, so it would not be out of the question. SR is also very close to the Pleasanton Fairgrounds where Good Guys was started. Not enough red flags to say "absolutely not" but still feels weird to me. I would call 'em first. Maybe someone has noticed a booth at one of the Good Guys shows recently, I haven't gone there in years and just moved out of state.
Give him a call. With the cost of floor space around here it makes sense that a small operation would work out of a home shop
Someone asked about this vender a few years ago I believe. Out of curiosity since they are local I looked the addy on the map. UPS store in San Ramon. My 2 cents for today. If he’s a hot rodder I’ve probably met someone who knows somebody that might know a person that knows them.
Yeah it’s just enough shakey enough that I need some first hand knowledge, maybe I’ll give them a call this week. I saw an older video from wired customs on you tube using one of them maybe I can get ahold of him and ask what he thought as well. Just seems weird to be around that long and not have anything pop up on Google on forums or reviews or anything.
here he is explaining the part, he look familiar? Seems like a good product to me. Looks like wired customs was using a 6 to -2 volt kit they offer
If your starter is slow on your 6 volt. Try fatter battery cables and a new battery. Get customs cables made at battery cables USA My wife's 33 Plymouth with a 6 cylinder and 6 volts cranks like nobody's business. I just added thicker cables. And we got an optima at the same time. Been like 4 years. Still cranks.
If I remember he doesn't even have a starter, it just the engine out of a car. All those high torque starters are just like you said, a generic gear reduction starter with different gear and a billet adapter for different engines (and multiple holes so you can clock the starter). I used a place called Quality Power for a high torque starter for my old '54 panel with an FE (I needed a small indexable starter) and they were the same style as the one you're looking at. I know most of the Studebaker places want a core for they're reman starters, as I've been looking for a core for my girls 259 auto off and on for awhile.
Zac from Wired Customs in the second video is my cousin. Text me tomorrow and remind me and I'll ask him if you want.
The difference in the IMI starters from https://www.hitorque.com/ are that they use OEM Denso starters for their units, not cheap Chinese knockoffs of Denso starters. I sold them for years when I had my rebuild shop and they are an excellent unit. They are more expensive but you get what you pay for. Chris is one of the head guys at IMI and his knowledge of starters and building these units is second to none.
So calling doesn’t get what I wanted which is first hand experience with the company. Even a scammer will tell you anything g you want to hear on the phone. Wired customs got back to @flatout51 with “What's up , I know the owner he is a great guy and is legitimately trying to make stuff for our niche. I haven't tried the starter yet but I know Jay is someone I trust” sounds like I can feel ok sending them some cash when the time comes
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