Question about head bolts
Question about head bolts So i have a 6.0 block from 2001-02 and LS3 823 rectangle port heads. I thought i read somewhere that the head bolts changed at some point so what bolts do i need with mines ?
On a side note, doesn't the LSA engines require a different head bolt?
I remember reading about if you use a LS3 head stud on a LSA either the stud is too long or too short. IIRC they actually sell a LSA specific head bolt/stud kit. But I may be drunk.
I remember reading about if you use a LS3 head stud on a LSA either the stud is too long or too short. IIRC they actually sell a LSA specific head bolt/stud kit. But I may be drunk.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 22,293
Likes: 3,617
From: Central Cal.
LSA (and LS9) use the same size bolts as any other 2004 on up LS engine. Good question though...
Trending Topics
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 Honestly it's been so long since I've done an LSA motor I can't remember what the issue is. A quick Google search will probably explain the problem.
IIRC I think if you use a regular LS stud on a LSA motor, when you torque them down, the stud doesn't stick up past the nut or is just flush. I think those LSA studs are longer but I would have to look at the spec's to know for sure.
It's been a while so I could have the whole thing backwards. The only reason I've ran into this is we had a customer with a set of junk heads on his blown LS3. He wanted to put LSA heads on it because they are stronger. I talked to Jared@BTR about it but it's been so long I can't remember which head studs he said to use. I'm pretty sure he said to use the set for the LS3.
Last edited by LilJayV10; Oct 18, 2019 at 05:00 PM.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 22,293
Likes: 3,617
From: Central Cal.
I went on Summit's LS spec site and relayed what I saw there. I looked up LM7 to see which year they changed, then the LSA and LS7 to check sizes, and reported back here. Not saying the info is totally accurate...
Yeah, the ARP LSA bolts/studs are threaded a little more. Same overall length, just threaded up a little higher on the bolt. Lots of talk on the subject over on the CTS-V forum. Before ARP finally released the new bolts, those caddy guys were having to stack multiple washers under their headbolts to make the regular 3610 ARP stuff work. It wasn’t pretty, but I guess it worked.
Great discussion guys. Seriously.
G I appreciate you checking into it.
Chevelle thank you for posting. It's good to know I havent completely dreamed this thing up.
If ARP felt it was nessicary to make a specific stud(part number)for that particular application there has to be a reason.
G I appreciate you checking into it.
Chevelle thank you for posting. It's good to know I havent completely dreamed this thing up.
If ARP felt it was nessicary to make a specific stud(part number)for that particular application there has to be a reason.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 22,293
Likes: 3,617
From: Central Cal.
That does seem odd. I wonder if GM spot faced LSA head bolt holes a bit deeper for whatever reason. That would be the only explanation I can think of for longer threads on otherwise identical bolts.