Fitting a starter button to a Sagaris

[alex_gray255]

Hi folks

I've been looking around for new modifications I can add to my Sagaris and came across the idea of changing the key based starter system to a push button based one - maybe something like fitting a pro-start system, e.g.
http://www.richbrook-styling.co.uk/engine-start-bu...

I was just wondering if anyone had done anything similar or any potential issues that might be encountered. I believe the later Tuscan's use such a system already.

Any thoughts appreciated.

Thanks!

[nrick]

Hi T

I noticed in last months sprint the MK1 Tuscan had one fitted, might be worth tracking down the garage that own it. It was a very tasteful mod and looked to use the MK2 Tuscan switch which I think are still available.

N

[DonkeyApple]

I think it is relatively easy to embed a starter button within the normal ignition sequence of a conventional key as it is just a question of turning the key to the first stage and then instead of the final turn engaging the electrics you bypass it with a button.

The complexity comes when you want to ditch the whole key mechanism and install a keyless system. That is much more complex.

[s5tvr]

The best starter buttion that I've come across is that found in the Honda S2000 / Civic Type-R. I have yet to fit it my T350 as finding a good location for it is not a straight-forward as it sounds. I thought about mounting it on the plate surrounding the radio and which contains the door & window controls but this would involve having a new plate made up with the door / window controls being re-positioned on the plate. An alternative that I've been thinking of is to integrate the starter button in a bespoke gear knob with a flip open lid similar to the McLaren Mercedes SLR. This I think would be costly and I don't know of any engineering companies that would take the design and manufacture on.

[blackiepaul]

Been done before by one of the guys in the midlands TVRCC section but I can not remember which one. Looks good but I am not sure why you do it? Hassle, cost (not much i know) but all you end up with is having to do one more thing to get the car moving.

[nrick]

The tuscan in sprint had removed the ashtray/Drinks holder and put it in the centre of the console just ahead of the gear stick. Looked good.

[alex_gray255]

Thanks for the input!

I saw some systems that had been installed in a Ferrari and Austin Martin and they looked quite good, so I was considering such a system for my Sag. I saw one Sag on Youtube that had such a system and looked good, but was interested if anyone else had done something similar.

[DonkeyApple]

Don't forget that those Ferraris and Astons are mass produced. It's worth asking the question whether someone with a Ferrari or Aston where less than a couple of hundred exist in the world would start chopping that car about or leave it as nature intended.

[alex_gray255]

Well, as I've already violated my virgin car enough times already - it will never be "as nature intended" ever again, so a moot point for me

[Tonymg]

hi gang any photos or can one get hold of last months mag?

[nightSpirit]

I too have looked at this in the tam having fitted countless to other cars. The wiring is piss...the location isnt.

The benefit of doing this is nothing more than extra pleasure when starting the car.

I have a laguna starter button as it is green like the dash illumination...couldnt mount it though, not with the carbon trans tunnel. Other option would be to wire it to the door lock button next to passenger door release, nice and stealth.

[paul1962]

blackiepaul said:

Been done before by one of the guys in the midlands TVRCC section but I can not remember which one. Looks good but I am not sure why you do it? Hassle, cost (not much i know) but all you end up with is having to do one more thing to get the car moving.

WWM member is Sporty (Sportie ?), he has a yellow Sag.

If you're going to do it I'd get rid of the ignition key altogether and have a system like the Cerb. Or go one step further and have a single button so press 1 turns ignition on, press 2 is auto start, press 3 turns it off.

[alex_gray255]

Thanks for all the replies. I'll progress this one further on in the autumn and let people know how it goes

[Colin L]

OK its not a Sag or a Tam, but I have one fitted to my Chimaera, still us the key if I want and its needed in the system for the locks etc.

I have found that the button which is a direct feed down the starter gives that bit more power and the starting sounds better too. Don't know why but it works, even after leaving the car for a couple of weeks, were the key would not start her, the button would.

Colin L

[L33]

blackiepaul said:

Been done before by one of the guys in the midlands TVRCC section but I can not remember which one. Looks good but I am not sure why you do it? Hassle, cost (not much i know) but all you end up with is having to do one more thing to get the car moving.

It was Dave with the yellow Sag.
As Donkey Apple has already said, its straight forward if used in conjunction with the ignition key to turn the ignition on and the button is simply used to operate the starter motor and fire the engine up - but whats the point as you still have to use the key?

Getting rid of the key altogether and going for a keyless system is a very complex job. Good luck - you'll need it.

[alex_gray255]

Just an update on this.

I'm pursuing quotes and recommendations for both options at the moment.

If anyone else is also interested in the results, let me know and I'll send you the info once I have gathered it.

I'm not doing anything on this immediately as I want to enjoy the car over the rest of the summer period (...) but as winter rolls around, it will be a possible winter project to do now that the DRLs are installed and the invisible parking sensors are fitted (much recommended as they work through the fibreglass fine and no body work is needed ).

[Jimmydk]

alex_gray255 said:

Just an update on this.

I'm pursuing quotes and recommendations for both options at the moment.

If anyone else is also interested in the results, let me know and I'll send you the info once I have gathered it.

I'm not doing anything on this immediately as I want to enjoy the car over the rest of the summer period (...) but as winter rolls around, it will be a possible winter project to do now that the DRLs are installed and the invisible parking sensors are fitted (much recommended as they work through the fibreglass fine and no body work is needed ).

Hi Alex - which parking sensors did you use and did you fit them yourself? thanks. james

[D14 AYS]

Jimmydk said:

alex_gray255 said:

Just an update on this.

I'm pursuing quotes and recommendations for both options at the moment.

If anyone else is also interested in the results, let me know and I'll send you the info once I have gathered it.

I'm not doing anything on this immediately as I want to enjoy the car over the rest of the summer period (...) but as winter rolls around, it will be a possible winter project to do now that the DRLs are installed and the invisible parking sensors are fitted (much recommended as they work through the fibreglass fine and no body work is needed ).

Hi Alex - which parking sensors did you use and did you fit them yourself? thanks. james

I would also be interested in this, for those times the wife drives the car

[alex_gray255]

Re: Parking sensors

I'll post the details up next week or the week after when I get my car back and the final cost. It was not something I did myself. I was getting a number of things done and this was one of them.

[alex_gray255]

I got my Sagaris back today with the parking sensors installed etc, but unfortunately didn't have time to get
all the specifics of them as I needed to shoot off.

The total cost was under 600 pounds all told with fitting, vat etc with change left - or something like that.

They work fine, with a separate hidden switch to turn the front ones off if you want and they work
quite happily in conjunction with the reversing camera.

If you want to find out more, I suggest you speak with Ian at Hilton and Moss for the specifics as they
coordinated the work with another firm locally and had to do a bit of research to find the right product.

Thanks.