Bolts VS Studs
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Bolts VS Studs
Ok, back in the day, I had a Vega with a small block and nitrous. i used studs instead of bolts for the heads because my engine builder told me that they were better than bolts.
I am upgrading the top half of my LS2 with LS3 ported heads, FAST intake, rockers, cam, etc. OE head bolts are $50, ARP bolts are $100 and ARP studs are $250. Is it really worth $200 more to use studs over stock head bolts?
Thanks!
I am upgrading the top half of my LS2 with LS3 ported heads, FAST intake, rockers, cam, etc. OE head bolts are $50, ARP bolts are $100 and ARP studs are $250. Is it really worth $200 more to use studs over stock head bolts?
Thanks!
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,712
Likes: 3
From: TEXOMA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
If your EVER going to remove the heads again, get studs, will save you alot of cleanup with cleaning out those bolts holes.
i just did ls9 gaskets and arp studs myself. you can find studs cheaper if you look around.
i just did ls9 gaskets and arp studs myself. you can find studs cheaper if you look around.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Thanks!
Former Vendor
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
From: Lubbock Texas
The studs offer better clamping force and a more accurate torque spec since you are just torquing the nut rather than the shank of the bolt. On a NA application, the GM bolts are fine in most cases. If you think you might pull the heads off or just aren't a fan of the torque to yield bolts, the ARP bolts are a nice upgrade. I wouldn't worry about studs unless you are planning on a power adder on the car. IMO, they aren't needed and a little costly in a NA application.
Jon
Jon
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
The studs offer better clamping force and a more accurate torque spec since you are just torquing the nut rather than the shank of the bolt. On a NA application, the GM bolts are fine in most cases. If you think you might pull the heads off or just aren't a fan of the torque to yield bolts, the ARP bolts are a nice upgrade. I wouldn't worry about studs unless you are planning on a power adder on the car. IMO, they aren't needed and a little costly in a NA application.
Jon
Jon
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,470
Likes: 2
From: Portland OR
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12
Have to agree with TSP, the factory TTY bolts would be fine .. so the ARP headbolts are more than enough.. given the choice the ARP are easier to use as well... your looking at $44 for factory TTY bolts or 125-135 for ARP
