Dom,

 

I have been using a B&C 149-tooth starter for quite a few years.  As I understand it, the earlier Sky-Tech that I had was wound in a way such that as the voltage dropped during start the load would increase and the voltage would drop further.  Frequently this would result in poor starting (slower prop turning) and the RMI air data computer would fail, requiring the breaker to be reset.  The B&C starter was touted as not increasing the load at the lower voltage, thus not lowering the voltage further. Of course, the starter swap occurred while I was still using magnetos.

 

While my airplane is still using #4 wire for the starter/battery circuit (battery behind the passenger seat), the electronic ignition assists the start so that the engine fires after just a blade or two.  Also, a switch to the Perihelion Diode for the Essential Bus reduced the voltage drop on that bus where the RMI instrument is powered.  Starts should be a bit harder for my engine because of the higher 9:1 compression ratio, but they are not.

 

Finally, I should point out that there is no linkage or physical connection strap between the starter and alternator.  Maybe that is because I use the B&C starter, starter relay, 60 amp alternator, voltage regulator and 28 AH 12 VDC battery.  Their stuff seems to work nicely together.