jaywill

iTrader: (5)

what's better header bolts or stock bolts ???

HexenLord

Use stock if you still have them.

x275radial

iTrader: (1)

i used arp studs work 10 times better than anything

ls1_chevelle

iTrader: (9)

The ARP header stud kit is the way to go, but its pricey, 130 or so.

krwyellowZ28

iTrader: (10)

Stock bolts break on stock vehicles alllllll the time... if you're hanging a turbo or two I would definitely use something better.

HexenLord

Obviously don't reuse the stock bolts if they are rusted. A single grade 8 bolt is strong enough it will support the weight of an entire turbo/exhaust. You can. Order a full set of grade 8 bolts in the size you need for 10% of the cost of ARP studs.

jaywill

iTrader: (5)

I have the bolts that came with my pacesetter headers ...they r good enough ?

HexenLord

They aren't holding a ton of weight. I don't know where you got the idea that your bolts wouldn't be good enough.

denmah

iTrader: (2)

i always re use the stock bolts
stock 10 and 13mm work great in high hp applications for years and thousands of miles, honestly ive only NOT used stock bolts once, since i didnt have them for a build, and i used some 8 dollar ebay bolts from pots performance.

no leaks, breaks, or problems

stevieturbo

I cut up some stainless bolts to make studs.

Much nicer all round, and always stronger.

jaywill

iTrader: (5)

Got ya !

sbcgenII

iTrader: (1)

If you don't use fancy bolts your manifolds will blow off your engine!!

73turbo53

Stock bolts all day, they have a great flanged head.

Sumter

iTrader: (3)

I use the Alper Motorsports stainless header studs for $18.50 shipped

Chevy406

iTrader: (12)

Actually, stainless steel has less carbon content and is thus weaker than carbon steels. Stainless is also very bad to gall. I would not use stainless bolting on exhaust manifolds.

Quite frankly, I don't know why anyone would have a problem using stock exhaust manifold bolts.

Well, I guess that's a good reason.

jt76

iTrader: (10)

I'm switching to studs.. factory bolts started to back out on me and a couple holes stripped.. a bit too much weight perhaps.

stevieturbo

Nobody said they had a problem. But studs are far easier. Strength isnt an issue regardless of steel type used.

Blowerman

This is something I would normally say.

ls1_chevelle

iTrader: (9)

I should pull my head studs out too. Stock bolts are better.

One has to understand the reason why studs are used to justify using studs... ARP only offers them in stainless for the LS engine, if they offered carbon, Id be all over it.

When you hang a turbo kit off of manifolds with a brace or without and expansion and contraction... it puts lots of stress on the bolts, when you crank the poor bolt into the head, its really stressing the threads. But like I said, if you don't understand studs, you don't understand the reason.

Just like ebay headstuds, many use em, lots do not. You will be fine either way(within reason). Personal preference

Chevy406

iTrader: (12)

You make a good point about the value of studs ls1_chevelle, and I can appreciate your sense of humor. I would caution against using stainless steel studs and stainless steel nuts. If ARP only offers SS studs I hope they supply them with a dissimilar metal nut? Stainless-on-stainless is just a bad combination for galling.

Slightly contradictory but you are correct that over stressed bolt failure isn't a common problem on exhaust manifolds. No doubt stainless studs have enough strength to work, I was just pointing out that they aren't stronger than carbon steel.