Loud starter when engaging

[timski69gmc]

When I replaced my granny tranny a years ago, the starter starting engaging really loud. (I believe that is when it changed, although it has been probalby 20 years.) Kind of a whine. No grinding, etc, just loud. I have heard vehicles with the same sound, so I don't think it is that uncommon, just wondering why? I assume the starters are the same from manual and auto, would the flywheel make any difference? I had also heard about shimming the starter, so I tried this with no luck either.
Would love to quiet it down. Not a big deal when it fires immediately, but if it cranks a couple of times, makes everyone stare, for the wrong reason.
Cheers!