Budget/eBay head studs
TECH Apprentice
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 311
Likes: 3
From: Omaha,Ne
I would be thinking that I better go with something that won't break on me, if I had EVER had a KMJ stud break on me. This is while torqueing it down to the, above recommended, 70 lbs torque.
Maybe I has just been lucky four times, but.....
I do know I have had an ARP SBC head bolt (brand new out of the package) break on the third torque sequence. While using their lube, and to their specs. When that happened I grabbed an old ARP bolt from an the old build and just used it to replace the new one that broke, after taking the whole F'in head back off to remove the broken ARP bolt piece.
The replacement had been used three times before, and that is the reason why we just bought a new set of ARP head bolts, it worked and is still working. Just because you think you are trying to "playing it safe" doesn't mean you are. Even with ARP, there are no guarantees, that you won't lift a head.
On the other side of this, you watch, now when the ProComp studs are restocked they are going to be at higher price than before.
They now know more people have confidence in them so they can charge more, but they will still be way under the ARPs price.
Maybe I has just been lucky four times, but.....
I do know I have had an ARP SBC head bolt (brand new out of the package) break on the third torque sequence. While using their lube, and to their specs. When that happened I grabbed an old ARP bolt from an the old build and just used it to replace the new one that broke, after taking the whole F'in head back off to remove the broken ARP bolt piece.
The replacement had been used three times before, and that is the reason why we just bought a new set of ARP head bolts, it worked and is still working. Just because you think you are trying to "playing it safe" doesn't mean you are. Even with ARP, there are no guarantees, that you won't lift a head.
On the other side of this, you watch, now when the ProComp studs are restocked they are going to be at higher price than before.
They now know more people have confidence in them so they can charge more, but they will still be way under the ARPs price.
TECH Resident
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 916
Likes: 5
From: Las Vegas, NV
I went to 80 on my final round with the moly lube.
I'd say that either have the chance to fail. I doubt the procomp's are "significantly" more prone to breaking than the ARP studs, under the conditions that 98% of the people who buy them use them. For those who are going for that 1200 rwhp, forged pistons/crank, $7k+ build, the extra $210 may make them feel better, but like Atomic said, there are no guarantees and you may still lift a head.
I'd say that either have the chance to fail. I doubt the procomp's are "significantly" more prone to breaking than the ARP studs, under the conditions that 98% of the people who buy them use them. For those who are going for that 1200 rwhp, forged pistons/crank, $7k+ build, the extra $210 may make them feel better, but like Atomic said, there are no guarantees and you may still lift a head.
Just a warning - I ordered direct from Pro Comp... ordered the 02+ studs listed on their site... and received the 97-02 studs. Paid $35 for 2 day shipping and was planning on doing the studs and gaskets tomorrow morning... BUMMER!
It appears that their website is incorrect. PC2465 are the 97-02, PC2464 are the 02+. The website has the SKUs the other way.
They are out of the 02+ studs (which I think that by itself is a typo because I thought it was 04+?). Anyway, big bummer for me.
As has been said even though I have an L33 it's still just a junkyard motor. If I ever went forged I'd reconsider my stud choice, maybe - but if it works it works and I'm not going to argue. Especially for ~600WHP.
It appears that their website is incorrect. PC2465 are the 97-02, PC2464 are the 02+. The website has the SKUs the other way.
They are out of the 02+ studs (which I think that by itself is a typo because I thought it was 04+?). Anyway, big bummer for me.
As has been said even though I have an L33 it's still just a junkyard motor. If I ever went forged I'd reconsider my stud choice, maybe - but if it works it works and I'm not going to argue. Especially for ~600WHP.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
Just a warning - I ordered direct from Pro Comp... ordered the 02+ studs listed on their site... and received the 97-02 studs. Paid $35 for 2 day shipping and was planning on doing the studs and gaskets tomorrow morning... BUMMER!
It appears that their website is incorrect. PC2465 are the 97-02, PC2464 are the 02+. The website has the SKUs the other way.
They are out of the 02+ studs (which I think that by itself is a typo because I thought it was 04+?). Anyway, big bummer for me.
As has been said even though I have an L33 it's still just a junkyard motor. If I ever went forged I'd reconsider my stud choice, maybe - but if it works it works and I'm not going to argue. Especially for ~600WHP.
It appears that their website is incorrect. PC2465 are the 97-02, PC2464 are the 02+. The website has the SKUs the other way.
They are out of the 02+ studs (which I think that by itself is a typo because I thought it was 04+?). Anyway, big bummer for me.
As has been said even though I have an L33 it's still just a junkyard motor. If I ever went forged I'd reconsider my stud choice, maybe - but if it works it works and I'm not going to argue. Especially for ~600WHP.
I pointed the error out in my email, spoke to them on the phone as well. Very helpful. Probably the web designer is long gone......
Ron
^yeah still haven't heard anything back from them... although I did call on 4PM on Friday and well, most of you probably know that very few people worked on Friday haha.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,425
Likes: 0
I have used the KMJ studs three times and tq to 80lbs no problem. I did them dry. Oops. However, if worried about the price and quality u could use ARP head bolts at $178. Are the bolts good to around 20lbs of boost?
My studs have been usez three times now so I will probably get ARP head bolts since Pro Comp is out.
My studs have been usez three times now so I will probably get ARP head bolts since Pro Comp is out.
I don’t know why people think using more torque on a fastner not rated for that torque will hold a head down better. Over torquing a stud to 80lbs that is rated for 50lbs will result in less clamping force. Going over the yield point of a fastner (max stretch point) will permanently deform the bolt and weaken the clamping force. (or just break)
I’m not saying the china studs are bad, or that 55lbs is the max they should be torqued. (probably a number they pulled out of their ***.) I’ve seen the original OEM TTY head bolts/head gaskets hold over 700hp without fail. So claiming 15psi on some china studs doesn’t seem like a great accomplishment to me.
Would be cool to see a machine shop with a bolt stretch gauge get some real info for us in these head studs. (all lengths) They’d have to make up some sort of rig to do it but it would be great information.
I’m not saying the china studs are bad, or that 55lbs is the max they should be torqued. (probably a number they pulled out of their ***.) I’ve seen the original OEM TTY head bolts/head gaskets hold over 700hp without fail. So claiming 15psi on some china studs doesn’t seem like a great accomplishment to me.
Would be cool to see a machine shop with a bolt stretch gauge get some real info for us in these head studs. (all lengths) They’d have to make up some sort of rig to do it but it would be great information.
we have also had 700hp cars with stock head bolts and gaskets