Keyless starter

Marty · 11-24-03, 05:13 PM

I've always thought the old "Le-Mans-Style" starter buttons were very cool - especially with the lookie-loos peering in as you fire it up. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

Has anyone installed a dash-mounted starter button? Are there any kits out there? I can't imagine it's that hard to accomplish.

Let me know,

Marty
(CAV-GT40 - due to be delivered complete 11/29/03, at last)

Mark Worthington · 11-24-03, 05:30 PM

Good question...I know a few 40s that use a start button and I look forward to the responses. Let me post a corollary to your question: can I set up my Motec ECU so that the engine won't start unless I enter a code somehow? I'd like to get rid of the key entirely and make the car even more secure.

norman falkiner · 11-24-03, 05:37 PM

A mate of mine has a great system in his car where he has to put his finger on a screw on the dash to complete the circuit. Regards

Jools · 11-24-03, 06:57 PM

I use a longacre 3 position switch. It comes with aircraft type big red saftey flip up cover, has positions OFF, RUN - power to fuel pumps/ignition packs etc. and MOMENTARY- for cranking the engine over. About 30 pounds UK, but as Longacre is a US company you will surely find it much cheaper in USA.

Martin Weigold · 11-24-03, 07:06 PM

I have fitted a starter button from the Honda 2000. It looks just like the one fitted to the Aston Martin Vanquish but of course costs a fraction of the price. It is a red circular button with chrome trim and on the button in white letters it says Engine Start. It looks great! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

**candc** · 11-24-03, 07:39 PM

a company i deal with do astarter kit a starter button and a fighter tyle ignition swtch with flip lid on an alloy backing avaliable in the uk for about £30 they also do an alloy blue led starter button which can be flush mounted if you would like any more info please e mail me on candc@ic24.net chris

**candc** · 11-24-03, 07:39 PM

the other pic

Lukas Matzinger · 11-24-03, 09:04 PM

Wiring in a starter button is really not that hard. Tons of people from ffcobra.com have used the Honda one that Martin mentioned. If you want to get that it is about 40-45 bucks in the US.

This is what it looks like:

ANd this is mounted in a Cobra dash:

large size:
web page

Another possibilty would be the button from a Z8, which I think looks even better. Retail in the US is about 100 bucks, though:

Would anybody be interested if I could buy a couple cheaper over here?

Hope this helps,
Lukas

**brianstewart** · 11-24-03, 11:20 PM

I believe the new Ford Falcon GT-P from Ford Performance Vehicles in Oz also has an engine start button. No idea of price (any of our Aussie friends know?) but it is a Ford part. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Brett James-McCall · 11-25-03, 02:56 AM

Hey Chris, is that one of the Trilogy buttons that Demon Tweeks have in their catalogue? If so, could you measure the radius edge. Thanks

Brett

josvdp · 11-25-03, 08:16 AM

My race car has the starter button from a Spitfire plane....its flush mount like those above has a cover and wires in very easily - looks good too - mind you I guess security is less of an issue wiht a racer than on the street - don't forget to remove the rotor arm used to be the theory - slighlty less practical these days...

Hershal Byrd · 11-25-03, 11:07 AM

I also have a starter button in my RFGT40. My Dad had this
button in a drawer. He saved it from a large delivery truck with a lift gate on it. This was one of the buttons that raised the gate. I thought it was perfect for the intended use as it is green for go and not red. It also fit the hole that was already there so that made it even nicer.
Chris at the RF factory, who is the electrician, gave me the instructions on how to install it. Works great.

Hersh [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Marty · 11-25-03, 12:06 PM

Many thanks to all for their help - much appreciated.

Marty

**candc** · 11-25-03, 12:46 PM

BRETT YES IT IS ONE OF THE TRILOGY SWITCHES THEY HAV A 25 MM DIAMETER IE A 12.5 RADIUS IF THAT HELP THEY CAN ALSO BE FLUSH MOUNTED AS THE ALLOY SIDE BEZAL COMES OFF LEAVING A VERY FLAT SWITCH

neils · 11-25-03, 01:58 PM

For those worried about security, in a previous car, I wired in an ignition switch on the dash, with jsut two positions, on and off, and then wired the starter button as in effect position 3. This way, people can hit the starter button, but nothing happens.....

Not hard to do, just run an additional heavy earth to the starter button, and wire the position 3 positive feed on the other side...

Several manufacturers, including lucas produce dash mounted 2 position ignition switches, similar to those used on machine control panels, which look the part, or it would be easy enough to hide the lock for a bit more security...

Rgds

Neil

Brian Magee · 11-25-03, 02:18 PM

Mine isn't a keyless starter as I have retained the key and added a starter button. I liked the idea of starting the car "on the button" so with the help of an electrician friend, we altered the GTD loom by fitting the button on the switched side of the key. The button was from Europa Specialists Spares here in England. Web address is www.europaspares.com
Brian.

Steve Toner · 11-29-03, 06:45 PM

I was thinking of making a starter button on my mini-lathe for my car. When I get it back up here & have a chance to work on it... Shouldn't be too hard - it'd just have a micro switch or something inside that gets activated by the plunger. The big question is what material to make it out of?