Head bolts
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2026
Posts: 12
Likes: 2
Head bolts Freshening up an ls1 and swapping out the 241 heads for a set of 243 heads. I’m not looking for crazy power or to run it super hard. It will have a cam, tune, ls2 intake, long tubes, just the simple bolt ons. Is there any reason not to run the stock headbolts from Michigan Motorsports? I know everyone raves on the ARP headbolts but I’m doing this on a super tight budget and don’t want to spend for overkill that’s not needed.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 686
Likes: 76
From: Thibodaux LA
Stock head bolts will be just fine. Just confirm it's actually GM head bolts. That place you mentioned has had issues using non OEM parts and passing them off as OEM. Just follow the correct torque sequence and prep the block and head mating surfaces. Also advise going with a good head gasket, GM or cometic.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 22,301
Likes: 3,625
From: Central Cal.
Freshening up an ls1 and swapping out the 241 heads for a set of 243 heads. I’m not looking for crazy power or to run it super hard. It will have a cam, tune, ls2 intake, long tubes, just the simple bolt ons. Is there any reason not to run the stock headbolts from Michigan Motorsports? I know everyone raves on the ARP headbolts but I’m doing this on a super tight budget and don’t want to spend for overkill that’s not needed.
Look at Summit Racing. They have Bolt kit for both styles. I have used them in the past with no issues. 1 kit does both heads. You Do need to clean the threads in the block out. This is very Important, Especially on aluminum blocks.
97-03 - style. SUM-910210 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-910210
2004- up style. SUM-910211 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-910211
97-03 - style. SUM-910210 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-910210
2004- up style. SUM-910211 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-910211
The best way to ensure you get genuine GM head bolts is to buy them from the dealer. I usually don't recommend dealer stuff. But for critical stuff, like lifter trays, head bolts, head gaskets, etc., that's where I go. Cometic is a good alternative....IF they're genuine Cometic gaskets. I'd also recommend spending a bit more and getting ARP studs. You'll never need another set of fasteners. If you want to sell them in the future, for whatever reason, they're easy to sell......
TECH Regular
Joined: Dec 2022
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Get a cheap set of head studs from Amazon and torque them to arp specs.
I tried them for science on a budget 5.3 turbo build and no issues beating the snot out of that thing for 2 years on 18psi
i was not nice to it and that motor just took it and never pushed any coolant
I tried them for science on a budget 5.3 turbo build and no issues beating the snot out of that thing for 2 years on 18psi
i was not nice to it and that motor just took it and never pushed any coolant
Get a cheap set of head studs from Amazon and torque them to arp specs.
I tried them for science on a budget 5.3 turbo build and no issues beating the snot out of that thing for 2 years on 18psi
i was not nice to it and that motor just took it and never pushed any coolant
I tried them for science on a budget 5.3 turbo build and no issues beating the snot out of that thing for 2 years on 18psi
i was not nice to it and that motor just took it and never pushed any coolant
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TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 507
Likes: 190
No Stud Streachey The GM head bolt will lengthen AT THE SAME RATE as the AL cylinder head.
A Stud will not "grow" unless ground between the threads (Cosworth tech)
The Head gasket will be Squished AND Blow.
Lance
A Stud will not "grow" unless ground between the threads (Cosworth tech)
The Head gasket will be Squished AND Blow.
Lance