I have an '04 LQ9. I know there's a mid year shift. My heads have 8 long bolts, 2 medium length bolts and 5 shart bolts. So I know I've got the early model if I remember right. I plan on upgrading to the ARP bolts on this rebuild I'm doing. Question though, I also have seen head stud kits. Is one prefered over the other? I was planning on just getting bolts since that's what the factory uses. What's the advantage of going to studs?

Or am I confused and the stud kits I'm seeing around are for something else?

 

Here for instance...

http://www.calspeedperformance.com/category_s/72.htm

Top two are the factory bolt options for the two different styles. But then below... There's the ARP head bolts and then there's ARP head stud kits.

 

Studs make the most sense for a serious build or one where you will be pulling the heads off often. No need to clean the bolt holes out each time you reinstall and IIRC they have better clamping force. Depending on the car you may not be able to/may be difficult to install the heads with the engine in the car.

Bolts are cheaper, still reusable, easier install.... I went with bolts.

 

Stick with bolts (stock or ARP) unless you're doing a FI build with double digit boost or plan to hit it with a 200+ hp shot of n2o.

 

Also, studs don't put an additional torsional load on the block threads. Agree w/ all the above, bolts unless your combustion chambers are heavily loaded.

 

Arp bolts will handle most moderate street builds, Studs are superior to bolts cause the clamping force are spread out between 2 sets of treads vs one. Studs tend to leak tho and in most cases still must be removed to take heads off with engine in car. So it's kind of a toss up, but I use studs cause for me moderate boost is never enough!

 

Thanks guys!!! This rebuild is all stock stuff. Nothing special going on. Engine has a tune on the PCM and that's it, in fact the ARP bolts are the only thing "aftermarket" going in the engine. Long term, I don't picture anything more then a cam and/or heads at the absolute most. Not looking for a power house or anything, reliability is 100% my main focus on this engine, way way way beyond power output. This vehicle will primarily be used miles and miles from civilization out in the dirt so getting home by far trumps a monster power plant in this case and in my eyes.

Thanks again for the feedback!!! My parts list is complete now...

And just cause everyone likes pictures... Whoops...



And no, the lens isn't playing tricks on the camera, the rod is really that shape... Yikes!!!




I guess that's better then engine number one that went boom back in Aug!!!




Yes, that's two different engines... First two are what I'm currently working with and is the replacement LKQ motor that I picked up because the engine picture 3 was from was a total loss. The LKQ motor I picked up, I installed and had a nice knock the instant I started it. Doing a full rebuild on it. They're compensating for parts to fix the issue. WHile I'm in there though, I'm doing all new seals, honed all the cylinders, new rings on all 8. Obviously a new piston/rod, new valve seals, etc... Just a nice freshen up of a stock LQ9 with the ARP bolts for piece of mind. Impressive motors but man, those factory head bolts look like they belong on a chain link fence rather then inside a motor!!! YIKES!!!! Replacing those with quality hardware even on a stock rebuild just seems like a no brainer!