Dekorum

Has anyone ever used a Denso (Nippondenso) starter on a JDM ITR, which usually comes with the Mitsuba starter? The Denso starter is found on GSR, LS, and maybe USDM ITR. Does any one feel that the Denso is a stronger starter? I feel that my Mitsuba is letting me down quite often, and I was thinking about swapping before I replace it.

B(eighteen)C

its just a starter, why does it matter which is stronger? as long as it works...(?)

Dekorum

Well my Mitsuba is very weak.. I am not sure if that is how it will be when I get another (used) one, or if the another (used) Denso one will be stronger.

itr#1334

iTrader: (2)

My starter on the itr feels "weak" and the starter in my eg(ctr motor) starts right up. Was going to swap them soon to see if it was the starter or not. No idea what brands they are though.

Dekorum

Sounds like what I am talking about. Verify the brands.

I am not sure if the Denso starter from other B series motors will fit into the JDM ITR, because the Mitsuba has a longer shaft (or shorter, I forgot which).

racebum

they are cross compatible. i used both

you also can have your oem starter rebuilt locally at a starter shop if you want to keep it looking all oem

gwh0803

I believe I have a mitsuba starter too and cold starts sound like it's straining or battery is not supplying enough current to crank up the engine. At first I thought my battery's nominal voltage is getting low, but it never occurred to me that it was the starter motor.

Hm. Maybe swapping it for a Denso one is a goo choice after all...

Dekorum

It may be. My battery is definitely not weak.

Racebum, I was going to have this done but the starter shop told me they used no brand parts made in China for solenoid replacement and stuff. Is this what I should do? I feel that this may be a bad choice after a year.

I know with Denso starters, you can buy the OEM contacts and plunger from Toyota. Although, you cannot buy any parts to fix the motor I don't think.

FlewByU352

My Mitsuba **** out on me and finding replacement parts was more costly and harder to source. Denso IMO is much better!

Dekorum

Now which exact Denso model will fit into the JDM ITR tranny? I am using an Exedy OEM replacement clutch. I know there is known to be some sort of an issue with JDM or Spoon clutches and Denso starters, but I am not sure if it applies to a JDM transmission with an Exedy clutch. Will the Denso starter from a 96-01 Integra LS work?

racebum

honestly i would either

1. buy another mitsuba from a jdm importer for $50-80 dollars
2. buy a denso and run it

all the repair parts are china made if you go to a starter shop. even if you could source the good stuff what would it cost you vs how many used starters could you buy?

as for your last question, yes that starter will work. the jdm and usdm trans cases are identical. i think the misfit rumor began because of a starter gear or flywheel that was tight. i once had a new flywheel that must have been cut weird, every now and then i would have to rock the car back and forth before the starter would engage

redGSRguy

I had the rocking issue with aftermarket flywheel. I ended up just getting a Bosch starter which fires up the car everytime now. Got tired of rocking the car when it was cold!

Dekorum

Is it worth it to buy a brand new starter as opposed to another used Denso or Mitsuba? redGSRguy, how much did you pay for the Bosch starter? I am surprised you wouldn't buy a brand new Denso/Mitsuba if it wasn't much cheaper. Bosch definitely is not OEM for Japanese cars.

redGSRguy

I had the flywheel issue, so with a Denso my car would not always start.
With the Bosch which I guess hit harder my car fired up everytime. I think it was around 150 with core exchange. Nothing is really OEM in my car so that could be the issue. You might be able to get away with a new OEM starter.

Dekorum

Well since you can't buy a new OEM Mitsuba that is used on the JDM ITR, I would have to buy a new OEM Denso that is used on the USDM ITR.

94eg!

iTrader: (2)

I don't get it... You guys can buy brand new Denso units in a Denso box (instead of Honda) for only $90 shipped on NewEgg.com. Why would you bother rebuilding or sourcing a used one?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...9SIA1BY0S25529

280-0190
OEM(s): Dnso, Honda
Type: OSGR
Voltage: 12 Volts
kW: 1.2 kW
Rotation: CW
Teeth/Splines: 9 Tth/Splins
Pinion/Splines OD: 28.8mm / 1.134in
Mounting Hole 1: 11.0mm ID Unthradd
Mounting Hole 2: 11.0mm ID Unthradd
New or Remanufacturd: NEW
Approximate Weight: 8.96 lbs / 4.07 kg

Dekorum

Wow, that's amazing man! Thanks for letting us know. Is that definitely the correct Denso part that will work with the ITR transmission (JDM also I am assuming)? Could you also find the Mitsuba starter used on the JDM ITR (and the USDM Civic Si) on that site?

racebum

denso has recently started making a lot of refurbs to compete with ac delco and the like for higher end refurbished products

i actually have a refurb denso alt for my ford truck that's going in

this is a fairly recent development, years back denso refurbs were not so cheap or easy to come by

Dekorum

This one, on Newegg, says it is new and not refurbed.

racebum

part number 2800190?

that's the denso standard trans starter, it's a refurb...which is better if they are done right. then you still have an oem armatuer and casing

Dekorum

Yeah, it doesn't say refurb. It clearly says "New or Remanufacturd: NEW".
But okay, even if it is a refurb, do you think that it is better than a used OEM non-refurb off a 92-00 car?

racebum

what do you think "remanufactured" means?

to me it would all depend on cost. at least with a refurb you have new brushes and a new solenoid. a working used jdm starter for $50 i would grab if you could

but,

if they want 100 or something silly i'd buy the refurb denso all day

Dekorum

Right. By the way, the use of the colon means that the Newegg starter is new and NOT remanufactured. The description basically says "Is it new or remanufactured?" and the response is "it is NEW".

I could get a used JDM (Mitsuba) starter for $60 but this new Denso one is $90 so I think thats a better bet. You could probably get a used working USDM starter (denso) for cheaper than $60 though.

94eg!

iTrader: (2)

Interesting... While the NewEgg add says "New", every other vendor selling the Denso unit lists it as Reman'd. Denso's own site does not specify one way or the other.

http://densoaftermarket.entrinix.com....php?part=strt

You can contact them directly for specific info. They have great customer service and got back to me within a day when I had a question about their various Integra Fuel Pumps.

Even still, I think an OEM refurb is probably better than any other aftermarket refrubs. It's definitely the unit I would go for.

Dekorum

True... but is an OEM refurb better than a used OEM working original from the 90s?