Anyone use a mini starter for their car? I tried to put one in a few months ago but could not get it to shim properly. It always seemed like the starter and flywheel were binding. What do I need to know if I want to try this again. Not sure how many teeth I have on my flywheel. Any direction appreciated.

I have one. Took me a few tries to get it right.  Mine has two ways to install it. I had to change some screws around to make it fit right. Used the included shims.

I didn't need any shims for mine, and it came with an install sheet with some tips for installing it, measuring tips and what not. I'll try to find it when I clean my garage up here in a couple of days.

  I have had one for a Long Time probably 15 Years or more. It is not the popular Tildon Style but the GM Performace sold in the Cataloge. I beleive this Starter first Showed up in about 84 with the C4. Mine is now on its 3rd Engine Block and I have never done anything other than bolt it on. My original Starter had a Shim under it so I used it with this one but with my Last Block I left it out and its working just Fine. It saves a lot of Weight. Richard......

Is there a noticeable difference in the way the engine turns over, or is it simply a weight saving alternative ?

I should correct myself, I have a high torque starter I'm not sure if it could be called a "mini" bit it is about a 1/2 the size of the stock starter and a lot lighter. I didn't want lazy cranking or premature failure issues with the the 383 motors higher compression.    

   I beleive that they do have a bit more toque than a convenional starter. Because the smaller motor is Gear driven they sound like they are Turning the Engine faster but its probably just the starter Motor going faster. I have a Low Compression Engine as I see You do to so I'm not testing them much. Richard......

I have one on mine - no problems.

I've had one for about 3 years with no problems. The big thing is clearance (after making sure the number of teeth on your flywheel/flexplate match the starter you're using). You also should check your flywheel/flex plate teeth for burrs caused by the old starter.  With starter gear engaged, clearance is right when you can just slip a wire (a large paperclip will do) easily between the high part of a starter gear lobe and the valley between two flexplate/flywheel lobes.