* L98 Starter Compatibility: The most likely starting point is finding a starter that fits the L98 Corvette engine *itself*. However, the placement of the starter might be affected by the engine's location in the 300ZX bay.
* Bellhousing Compatibility: The T5 transmission's bellhousing will dictate the starter's mounting position and the physical dimensions required. The starter needs to mesh properly with the flywheel teeth. A T5 from a Camaro or Firebird might have different bellhousing bolt patterns than the original 300ZX setup. This will likely be the biggest hurdle.
* Starter Gear Teeth: The starter's drive gear must have the correct number of teeth and pitch to engage the flywheel's ring gear. Incompatibility here will result in the starter not turning the engine.
* Power Requirements: The starter must handle the L98's cranking requirements. A starter from a smaller engine might not be powerful enough.
To find the correct starter, you'll likely need to:
1. Consult a specialist: A mechanic experienced with engine swaps and custom installations will be invaluable. They can identify the correct starter based on your specific setup.
2. Measure: Measure the dimensions and bolt pattern of the T5 bellhousing and the available space around the engine in the 300ZX. This allows you to compare these measurements to starter specifications.
3. Cross-reference: Search online catalogs from auto parts suppliers (e.g., Summit Racing, Jegs, etc.) using the L98 Corvette and T5 Camaro keywords, looking for starters that might be adaptable. Read descriptions carefully – "fits" doesn't always mean "works perfectly without modification".
In short, there isn't a simple part number. You'll need to engage in some detective work to ensure you find a compatible starter or possibly even have one custom fabricated.
