Which starter did you purchase? How did it work out?

AZ lists one part number (16017) for a 2006-2008 and a different part number (19473) for a 2009-2011. They both list 2kw. The only difference in listed specs is the weight (10.0lb for 16017and 8.41lb for 19473). The weight difference could be a red herring, since the 10.0 could be rounded.

They don't list the teeth.

I have a poor starting 04 and I'm trying to decide whether the 14-teeth starter is worth getting over the 13 teeth starter. The AZ 16017 is $50 more than 19473, but still far cheaper than any other series 2 I have found (if it is series 2!)

 

04-05 4 port autos are locked into the S1 starter. All others will benefit most from the S2 starter.

 

i just bought the N3H1 starter from Mazda, its the updated S1 style, the gear is obviously different, but the big difference is that the motor part is longer.

it did fix the hot start problem!

 

AZ for 2009 and up shows only one starter, doesn't show whether it is AT or MT but the picture shows auto.

That probably means they don't have a series 2 starter (not that surprising).

It begs the question, though, of why a 2007 AT starter and a 2010 AT starter would have different part numbers and the 2010 would cost $50 more. I didn't think there was a series 2 upgrade in the starter for AT?

I have MT. I'd pay $50 more to get a series 2, but I don't know that it is worth paying $250 more for an OEM series 2 starter (price from mazmart).



I tried to get some info on specs from the online AZ live chat. That was comically unproductive.

Me: I'd like to know the difference between the duralast starter motors part number 19473 and part number 16017. Specifically I want to know the number of teeth.

AZ: I can help you with that. What is the year, make and model of your vehicle?

Me: I am not sure how the model is going to change the specs, but its for a 2007 and 2009 Mazda Rx8.

AZ: We can't tell you whether a part will fit as a modification for a different year.

Me: It's not a modification. I want to know if the 2009 meets OEM specs and has 14 teeth or if you are selling the older style starters as direct fit.

AZ: All of our parts are guaranteed to fit the same as the OEM part.

Me: Can you tell me if it has the same specs as the OEM part?

AZ: We can only tell you that it will fit based on your year and model. We can't tell you any specs.

So apparently he is just looking at the same website I was already at to launch the chat in the first place. Very helpful!

 

There are no remans available for the S2 Auto starter.... must be ordered through a dealer, such as onlinemazdaparts.

Here's an example of the differences between the two. The S2 one is a bit more beefy.



note the alignment differences for the main gear between the two... this variance prevents the S2 starter from fitting properly on a 4 port.

 

Hmm, I wonder then what is the difference is between the AZ 2007 part and the AZ 2009 part (both for AT)?

I'm looking for a reman MT s2, so I shouldn't have any compatibility issues. My problem is that I can't find any MT S2 starters except for nearly $400 from Mazda.

Does anybody know the relative difference between the upgraded S1 and the S2 for MT? Slightly faster (14 teeth vs. 13 teeth), but otherwise is there a noticeable difference? Is the s2 worth the substantial extra cost or is the upgraded S1 fine?

Either should be a huge improvement over my pathetic 04 1.4KW starter that was never upgraded.

 

The S2 MT starter has more teeth on the pinion gear.

 

i just bought the upgraded S1 starter, and it did the job. starts are nearly instant now, hot or cold.

 

I'm going that way, since it is the only reasonable option right now. Thanks for the input.

 

Did some starter Mazda Part number research. See the attached spread sheet.


(image of attached spreadsheet)

Feel free to update the info, and re-post for the group.

 

Replaced my original 2004 S1 starter, N3H1 (11 tooth), with a new S2 starter N3R3 (14 tooth). The new unit was a bolt in replacement, with a longer motor and a smaller pinion gear holder. See side by side photos:



Photo album for this project is located at:
https://www.rx8club.com/g/album/27641542 -- or click link: Starter Photo Album

I purchased a generic unit off the internet for about $120. No core charge.

Hope this helps.