I don't know about your guys but with all the BS down on the bottom of the car replacing a starter on these things is a pain.  I had to remove the oil cooler to get at the wires for the starter, then the darn thing is so big it barely fits between the radiator support and the frame to remove it.  Forget about putting it in by yourself that darn thing is so heavy! Anyways my starter had a bad spot in it and rather than wait for the inevitable I decided to replace it with a nice light small compact starter from a 2004 impala with a 3400.  It is MUCH lighter like 75% lighter I bet and so much smaller and easier to install.  Basically any 3400 W body car from 97 and up will have this starter.  It makes a cool sound too :)  Just remember you still have to use the classic GM starter shim.  Mine was $200 at Advanced Auto with a lifetime warrentee (it was a brand new starter not a reman)  So if you need a starter next time you are at the yard grab one or if you have the cash buy a new one you won't be disappointed.

:icon_mrgreen: Ken

Bout time you figured it out! 
I have had a mini light weight starter in place for over 3 years!  Bought it for around 10.00 (They had low price sales going on) from the local junk yard and have been using it ever since.

NICE!  yeah I'm a little slow and have only had the car for 10 months..........

ya, I shoulda swapped my starter out with that when I had my radiator and bumper off, but I figured why fix it if it aint broke yet.... lol

yeah just figured I'd put it out there, I knew about it and should have done it months ago but I Was too lazy to crawl under a car in the yard and get the starter.  Just as well this is my DD and has to be dependable so I don't mind paying for new starters/alternators especially when I can take it back if it ever does fail and get a new one for free.  My GF's 97 skylark Grand Sport has every serviceable component with a lifetime warranty including brake pads.....I love taking half used pads and rotors back to autozone and getting new ones for free:)  Same thing with my rear calipers for the 88 tgpse, I bought some years ago for my 89 cutlass international.....when I needed new rears for the prix I had them look up at old warranty purchase on the cutlass and got a brand new set with upgraded slide bushings for nothing :)  Actually the water pump on the grand prix I got on the skylarks lifetime warranty as well.  Geez I really rip autozone off a lot now that I think about it :)

Ken

I've been meaning to install them in my TGP's for a long time now, but my original starters are still working fine...I can get the light weight starters for about $12 at the yards, I'll add them to my "junkyard parts" list so I don't forget to grab a few next time.

    thanks for the info. Very good thread