small blower, head bolts vs studs
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 513
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From: Hills of Tennessee TN
small blower, head bolts vs studs
Did a search and didn't find good answer. I am about to do an ECS 1500 blower. 90% Street driven 2003 LS1. Occasional grudge run likely. Mild blower cam. RPM limited to approximately 6200. Boost likely in 8 - 10 PSI range. Now the question:
I will be pulling the stock heads to install ported LQ9 heads at about 10:1 compression. While heads are being changed is it wise to do ARP studs at this level of power/boost or would a set of ARP head bolts be sufficient? I am on a budget so sticking with the bolts would be preferred.
Experienced opinions and advise appreciated. Thanks
I will be pulling the stock heads to install ported LQ9 heads at about 10:1 compression. While heads are being changed is it wise to do ARP studs at this level of power/boost or would a set of ARP head bolts be sufficient? I am on a budget so sticking with the bolts would be preferred.
Experienced opinions and advise appreciated. Thanks
studs ftw
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8,472
Likes: 38
From: Houston TX
St. Jude Donor '11
IMO the ebay studs are ~as good as the standard ARP 8740 studs which are plenty for what you need. I ran ebay studs over 900, lifted a head with real ARP 8740's @ ~1100 and upgraded to ARP CA625's after that and now I have those 625's with additional six bolt studs on my LSX/All Pro motor.
ISIS SUCKS FAT CHOAD
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,124
Likes: 53
From: Earth, United States
There are obvious advantages to using an aftermarket bolt or stud over a factory bolt.
There are also advantages to using a stud over a bolt.
Not all studs or bolts are created equal.
I'd be pissed off if I trashed an engine over wanting to save a few hundred bucks. You probably don't need a $1,000 ARP 625+ stud kit but you certainly ARP has something that will fall with in your budget and give you that piece of mind knowing you have a good product.
As for the offshore studs you can find on eBay, they could be just as good. I don't know. I've never used them. I personally probably never would. I seem to have to end up spending double or even triple the amount of money is normally spend when I try a "just as good as" product.
There are also advantages to using a stud over a bolt.
Not all studs or bolts are created equal.
I'd be pissed off if I trashed an engine over wanting to save a few hundred bucks. You probably don't need a $1,000 ARP 625+ stud kit but you certainly ARP has something that will fall with in your budget and give you that piece of mind knowing you have a good product.
As for the offshore studs you can find on eBay, they could be just as good. I don't know. I've never used them. I personally probably never would. I seem to have to end up spending double or even triple the amount of money is normally spend when I try a "just as good as" product.
