I have a lq9 in my sierra that I wanted to do head bolts on, as I recently installed a Procharger on. I just did headgaskets and oem bolts last year, not thinking I was going supercharged.. Ever. I'm only making 8psi at most, and would feel better with new arp bolts.

My questions is that I don't want to make a mess, so can I pull the stock bolts out and install the arp in its place with out pulling the heads? Remove one, install the arp, torque it, and move to the next. I would do it in the torque sequence obviously. Thanks

 

I suppose you could do it that way but it would probably be better to either leave the stock bolts as they are or remove them all and do the job correctly. I'm not sure why the ARP bolts would be better than the OEM bolts for you app. The main advantage to ARP bolts is that they are reusable, which is good if you need to tear the engine down for repair or inspection frequently.

 

I wouldn't worry about the head bolts. That's a lot of work that's not really needed. I know a guy running 25+psi on a stock 4.8l motor. He's just trying to blow it up, and so far has been unsuccessful.

Like Unit said, if you are planning on doing and head swaps, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

Do you already have the ARP bolts? If not, why not just do studs when the time comes to remove your heads? Unless you plan on not ever removing the heads again, in which case I'd just leave the oem pieces in like it's already been advised.

 

Leave the bolts alone. You'll be fine.

 

I would run what you have now. If you pull the heads in the future I would swap them at that time, and I would go studs instead of bolts. As long as the tune is good you shouldn't have any problems lifting the heads. Detonation will lift the heads before 8#'s of boost will.

Any plans to up the boost ?

 

I wouldn't touch them unless you have a problem. I think you will create a problem by changing them. Tons of cars run around with 8 psi and stock head bolts.

 

Another vote for not touching them.

 

Alright I guess ill be leaving these then. Thanks guys