wierd i have a 1989 rs 3rd gen.....I have replaced my starter...I never disconnected the exhaust....*there is a correct position for everything, you just have to kick it once maybe twice and smoke alot of cigarettes to find it first.*

 

im with 89CAM

i have an 89 rs it takes me about 10 min to figure out how i did it last time but ive always gotten my starter in and out without removing anything but the two bolts holding it in.. and thats with 3 in diam y pipe an stock manifolds so even less room than usual.

if you have that much trouble get a mini torque starter... they as big as just having the starter solenoid on the nose. then its rebuild-able too