LOnSLO

iTrader: (15)

Anyone use the ARP head bolts? Are the studs that much stronger, or is there any advantage? I noticed the bolts are waaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyy cheaper than the studs, and they have the same tensile strength.

jmX

The bolts are fine, I use them and I'd use them again. If I ever decide to make some ungodly power and may be swapping heads quite often then I'll invest in the ARP studs, but for now the cheaper ARP bolts are fine. At this point in my life I've bought 5 sets of LS1 head bolts, I figured it was about time I just buy a set I can reuse. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

LOnSLO

iTrader: (15)

Thanks jmX. Good to know they're reusable. So you would rate the studs as a stronger piece? I plan on 430 or so N/A, and 550 on the bottle. Would you use the studs in my case?

jmX

Well, I guess I'd look at it this way. The only time I've heard of people lifting heads was when the car was running boost, or the engine was detonating.

I think head BOLTS will be just fine for 500-550rwhp with nitrous as long as its setup right. Nothing is going to hold detonation in if its bad, studs or not something will give.

Its really up to you, studs are more convienient in the long run...kinda handy to just slap the heads on the studs and not have to clean out bolt holes and threads every time you pull the heads, but most people will never benifit from that convienience.

Ryan K

iTrader: (11)

The way I look at studs for LS1s, is that here you have this aluminum block. When you torque the heads down the aluminum threads are under going two types of force, twisting and pulling as the bolt is turned under high pressure. I like studs, because it eliminates the twisting forces that the threads see. I just prefer that to bolts. JMHO! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="gr_images/icons/cool.gif" />

Ryan K.

LOnSLO

iTrader: (15)

Good points Ryan. Guess I'll go with the studs, since I may be swapping heads alot in the future <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

BudmanY2KTA

With the studs, can you remove the heads with the engine in the car?

Ryan K

iTrader: (11)

Yes you can!

Ryan K.

theblur98ss

iTrader: (71)

I agree with Ryan. I hate threading and unthreading bolts into aluminum block/heads. The less chance of stripping out a hole the better. It's nice not needed new bolts everytime you pull the heads too.

Scalpel

iTrader: (4)

Are the ARP head bolts reusable as well? If so, what's the part #?

Boosted LS1

I don't know the exact reasons for bolts v studs but it's something like this. With bolts most of the stretch/stress is felt at the threads in the block which isn't always good. With a stud the stress is felt in the stud itself on the threads where the nut is, not in the block which is good, especially for the block. The other benefit has been mentioned already and that is that you don't wear out or damage the block threads if you use studs. I think in essence that the stud becomes a part of the block. Maybe an engineer on this site can comment. Engineers like to choose studs whilst accountants like bolts. Oh, with a quality stud you can expect a fine rolled thread at the nut end. This gives lower friction so for a given torque value you will get a higher clamp load. Basically studs are better then bolts INMHO.