do i need to upgrade headbolts if my goal is no more than 400whp?
thinking about putting alky kit on stock turbo. i know al recomends headbolts
but when u look at buschure david's rs....he dont have one.
both making close to 400whp/
i m confused. i dont wanna touch the headbolts .....
give me some feedback. thanks!

 

it doesn't hurt,but no needed.

 

Yes... You need head bolts no matter what. You may even consider replacing those stock head bolts Mitsubishi generously threw in the deal for some nice ARP head studs at that power level.

 

They're not expensive, i wouldn't risk it over $90 or so..

 

more feedback please! when u upgrade the headbolts. i heard that u had to take the cylinder head out thats the proper way to do it otherwise u ll have some oil still inside the hole.

 

id do it as cheap insurance

 

I would do it if you are going to boost over 24 - 25 psi on a regular basis. Head gasket too.

 

I would cheap insurance $90 for bolts or a couple grand for a new head Ouch!

 

I wondered the same thing. I have never heard of anybody streching the head on the stock bolts. If the car is tuned right, there should be no problem. everybody talks about having to change the studs, but knowbody can give me an exact reason. I've heard more people talking about how their apr studs were installed wrong, then stock ones going bad

 

Watch out because cheap insurance can turn into a major pain in the butt if you're planning to put the stud on using the 1 by 1 method.

I say if you're not running high boost constantly and don't have alky kit (tons of tq) leave the stock studs in there. You don't see too many people complaining about blown head gasket on stock studs. If you're removing the head then YES do it, no questions ask.

Just something to keep in mind.

 

Exactly. Which is why I am on stock headbolts. 22.5psi daily for over 10k miles and no problems.

 

FYI there have been 2G DSMs *(less refined heads than Evos) that have run ~27psi all day with a LARGE turbo pushing 500whp with stock headstuds. And for those who deny my input, go knock on AMS' door and ask about Victor or Jason Slusser . You dont HAVE to put headstuds unless you're noticing valve float.

 

That's a new one...thanks for the valuable insight! Did you change your muffler bearings recently?

 

You win JP98SS.

 

No, seriously, did you?

If not you could be fouling up your blinker fluid too.

I have had my ARP headstuds in for about 4k miles, no problems yet.