Is there a difference between the 8/9 starter? Why is the 9 starter WAY more?
Just asking cause I'm shopping for one and not liking what I'm seeing...

 

Good question on why they're way more. They're the exact same thing it looks like, looking at the parts diagram.

I just went on mitsubishiparts.net and they allow you to buy individual parts for the starter, every part listed is exactly the same price and part number wise for both starters.

If you want to save a few bucks consider rebuilding it. Take it apart and clean it really well with a wire brush. I did that on mine when it died and it's been going strong for years still. Much better than forking over $500+ for a new one lol.

 

The only difference in parts is the solenoid, it was changed to improve access. You can swap between them fairly easily, just tug the wiring a bit.

The reason for the price difference is that minor change that seemed like a good idea for the solenoid means a completely different production run to make IX starters, and to fill a very small market.... one vehicle, made in short production, available for a year or so. Remember Mitsubishi still has to pay to get shiat made, they don't just crap parts.

Starters are pretty damn easy to rebuild too if you wanted to keep your IX solenoid (assuming you have a brush/armature issue of course). If the solenoid is kaput, buy a new IX solenoid (not too expensive). The parts are not the expensive part, it is the assembly line order (small in number so higher in expense) that make the IX starter expensive.

Or just put an VIII in there and make it work. Personally spending 30-60 minutes dicking around with fixing a starter (and the accompanying stripping down and cleaning etc, because why half-*** it?) is more valuable than the small amount I would save :P

 

This reminds me of the VIII vs. IX water pump issue haha. What's the difference in price between the starters?

 

Like $200-300 more last I looked.
Just so that the signal wire blade connector points longitudinally instead of laterally