[California98Civic]

I sympathize with the reliability issue big time. I am modding my daily driver too. When I am wrenching on the thing, getting to work gets complicated. But....

Are you sure this is really so much the easier approach? To do what you describe, you need to design it, acquire the parts, and install, test, and perhaps modify/refine what you have done. On the other hand, I bought a junkyard starter for <$10 and got it tested for free at my autoparts store (they do that regularly). And the install into my Honda is just a couple wire connections and bolts. I can't imagine your proposed second starter set up would be much easier.

For what it is worth, I just did the transmission swap on my Civic, DIY. Two friends with experience inspected my clutch with me. With 200,000+ miles on it, it just did not look worn-out. I am the second owner of this car, and I have driven it since the car had a mere 27,000 miles on it. I've been very gentle on the car and 30,000 miles of bump starting it scores of times a day has not destroyed the clutch. Key starting at long lights has not yet necessitated a new starter. Now, you have a new clutch in your car, so if you drive it gently and become very good at the gentle bump, I would think your engine will wear out before the clutch.