Meziere Enterprises has long built a reputation for precision-engineered components, and their True Start lineup of high-performance starters is no exception. Designed with a range of applications in mind, Meziere’s starter offerings span from the economical TS100 to the compact yet capable TS200 and on up to the beefy TS500. Each model is tailored to specific power, packaging, and durability requirements, offering enthusiasts and racers a solution backed by smart engineering by racers and enthusiasts for racers and enthusiasts.

The 300 Series Meziere starter.

The TS400 series Meziere starter stands as the company’s benchmark. It’s their most popular unit and serves as the foundation for comparison across the lineup. Built around a 2.2 kW motor originally spec’d for turbo diesel applications, the TS400 is anything but off-the-shelf. Meziere re-engineers key internals, including replacing the motor shaft with a proprietary alloy version that is trued and rebalanced in-house. The housing, midplate, and nose block are all CNC-machined from 6061 aluminum, there are no cast parts used, inside or out. A signature Meziere upgrade is the custom one-way clutch and billet pinion, rated to handle double the load of other starters, and supported by a nose bearing for added engagement stability. It’s designed for reliability under high compression and demanding environments.

From there, the TS500 shares the TS400’s level of internal strength but rotates in the opposite direction. This redesign eliminates one gear in the reduction set, allowing the starter to be 5/16-inch narrower. That subtle change can make the difference in tight builds where header or frame clearance is an issue.

At the opposite end of the spectrum is the TS100 Meziere starter. This is a cost-effective option using OEM components, but with a billet nose block and midplate added for structural integrity. Rated near the same output as the TS400, the TS100 trades off some on robustness, lacking the proprietary drive assembly and billet pinion, but remains a great solution for small-block engines with moderate compression ratios.

The TS300 introduces a different packaging design using a planetary reduction gear set. This inline layout minimizes overall bulk, making it a good fit for cars with framerail or header interference. Internally, it borrows many of the same mechanical elements from the TS400, including the billet main shaft and high-load pinion support. With 1.7 kW of power, it’s well-suited for engines up to 565 cubic inches.

The 300 Series Meziere starter.

Rounding out the family is the compact TS200. Despite its smaller size, the 200 retains the planetary gear train and robust drive found in the TS300. It’s been successfully run on small-block engines up to 427 cubic inches with 13.5:1 compression, displaying its capability relative to its size. The reduced footprint also makes it a go-to option in builds with significant space constraints.

Each Meziere starter is purpose-built, and whether the goal is packaging clearance, maximum torque, or cost-effective performance, Meziere’s lineup offers a focused solution, with the TS400 at the center, and additional variants catered to meet racers’ specific needs and requirements. Meziere has engineered its starters without shortcuts, and it clearly understands what starting a high-compression engine really demands.