Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

ARP Head Bolts or Studs?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 2, 2008 | 08:10 AM
  #1  
PewterMNZ's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
Default ARP Head Bolts or Studs?

I am doing heads over the winter and am wondering if I need to get ARP head bolts or studs? or maybe just stick with the stock GM bolts.

Full bolt on + TR230 + PRC 5.3L 2.5
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2008 | 09:03 AM
  #2  
conan's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,492
Likes: 6
From: Back in the Burg
Default

If you can spend the money get the studs. They will handle any thing you want to do in the future and if you have to remove the heads for any reason no more coolant in the hole's to worry about.
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2008 | 09:35 AM
  #3  
teke184's Avatar
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,183
Likes: 3
From: Key West, Florida
Default

and they are a straight torque sequence.

none of that torque down, then turn 90deg BS

and as stated, reusable and very strong.
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2008 | 09:36 AM
  #4  
PewterMNZ's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
Default

So it's not worth it to get the bolts? I think the bolts are 150$ compared to close to $400 for the studs.
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2008 | 09:56 AM
  #5  
Sales2@Texas-speed's Avatar
LS1Tech Premium Sponsor
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 5,053
Likes: 7
From: Texas!
Default

Originally Posted by PewterMNZ
So it's not worth it to get the bolts? I think the bolts are 150$ compared to close to $400 for the studs.
If you're looking at $400 studs, you're shopping in the wrong places!

http://www.texas-speed.com/shop/cate...MID=1&catid=36

We offer them for well under $300!
__________________


Largest Stocking Distributor of LS-x Engines / CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE!

COMP - FAST - PACESETTER - DIAMOND RACING - EAGLE SPECIALTY PRODUCTS - CALLIES - COMETIC GASKETS
RAM CLUTCHES - MOSER ENGINEERING - KOOK'S HEADERS - ARP - GM BOLTS AND GASKETS - MSD - NGK
POWERBOND - ASP - AND MORE!
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2008 | 10:20 AM
  #6  
PewterMNZ's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
Default

So are you saying that its not worth it to get bolts ..
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2008 | 10:27 AM
  #7  
conan's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,492
Likes: 6
From: Back in the Burg
Default

I think they are worth the extra $100 over the arp bolts.
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2008 | 10:28 AM
  #8  
Sales2@Texas-speed's Avatar
LS1Tech Premium Sponsor
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 5,053
Likes: 7
From: Texas!
Default

It's personal preference that makes the difference. As someone above stated, when you have studs you can leave them in for a head swap and not worry so much coolant getting in the holes and having to clean those out. Both are re-usable, so that's not an issue really. On an F-body car, the clearance getting the heads off above the studs is VERY tight. Whereas with bolts it is much easier since the bolts come out before removing the heads (obviously). So labor wise, the bolts can make things a bit easier.
__________________


Largest Stocking Distributor of LS-x Engines / CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE!

COMP - FAST - PACESETTER - DIAMOND RACING - EAGLE SPECIALTY PRODUCTS - CALLIES - COMETIC GASKETS
RAM CLUTCHES - MOSER ENGINEERING - KOOK'S HEADERS - ARP - GM BOLTS AND GASKETS - MSD - NGK
POWERBOND - ASP - AND MORE!
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Dec 2, 2008 | 11:41 AM
  #9  
dubrado's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 658
Likes: 0
From: texas
Default

Originally Posted by Matt@Texas-Speed
It's personal preference that makes the difference. As someone above stated, when you have studs you can leave them in for a head swap and not worry so much coolant getting in the holes and having to clean those out. Both are re-usable, so that's not an issue really. On an F-body car, the clearance getting the heads off above the studs is VERY tight. Whereas with bolts it is much easier since the bolts come out before removing the heads (obviously). So labor wise, the bolts can make things a bit easier.
so there is no difference in strength or effectiveness in preventing head lifting, it's more of a preference/labor choice?
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2008 | 11:44 AM
  #10  
1.8t's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 440
Likes: 0
From: Alpharetta, Ga
Default

Also don't forget the studs require a retorqing after heat cycling. Not hard, just a PITA.
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2008 | 11:58 AM
  #11  
Sales2@Texas-speed's Avatar
LS1Tech Premium Sponsor
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 5,053
Likes: 7
From: Texas!
Default

Originally Posted by dubrado
so there is no difference in strength or effectiveness in preventing head lifting, it's more of a preference/labor choice?
There is a slightly different method to torquing studs and bolts, but nothing crazy. The studs also distribute the clamping force a little different, but for the average car on this site it will not make any significant difference.
__________________


Largest Stocking Distributor of LS-x Engines / CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE!

COMP - FAST - PACESETTER - DIAMOND RACING - EAGLE SPECIALTY PRODUCTS - CALLIES - COMETIC GASKETS
RAM CLUTCHES - MOSER ENGINEERING - KOOK'S HEADERS - ARP - GM BOLTS AND GASKETS - MSD - NGK
POWERBOND - ASP - AND MORE!
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2008 | 12:30 PM
  #12  
dubrado's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 658
Likes: 0
From: texas
Default

Originally Posted by Matt@Texas-Speed
There is a slightly different method to torquing studs and bolts, but nothing crazy. The studs also distribute the clamping force a little different, but for the average car on this site it will not make any significant difference.
what about if you have a forged 347 with a 200-250 shot?
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2008 | 03:01 PM
  #13  
BlackScreaminMachine's Avatar
Internet Mechanic
20 Year Member
iTrader: (17)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 9,830
Likes: 2
From: Wallingford CT
Default

I always used bolts but with like said on LS1's if your going to do frequent cyl head removal, I would do studs, but if I were not. Bolts are quite fine.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:26 AM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE