hey guys the time has come for my 60k maint. so i figured it would be a great time to start my upgrade path. I am about to purchase my cams, hks 264/272 combo, but here is my question. Should I when doing the timing belt, remove the head to install a metal hg and arp head studs, or is the factory bolt and head gasket combo ample for my goals, which are about 350 awhp using a factory 9 turbo, maybe an fp green.
What type of head gasket comes factory on an 8? is is composite or metal? So what would you guys do head studs and hg or leave it sealed stock and untouched and change them out when I ever decide to go with forged internals.

thanks for the help

 

stock head bolts will be fine for you at those power levels, (assuming ~25-26psi boost)

don't break the factory seal if you don't have too!

 

yea thats what im thinking, some have said that i should just do drop in studs if the hg is already metal therefore not trully breaking the seal, but i don't know what i should do

 

The stock head studs and head gasket are just fine. There is no reason to replace them.

 

Leave it alone... I wouldn't crack that seal if you don't need too. Also, I have one of the timing pulleys for sale, PM if your interested in saving a few $$.

 

Just my thought I would do it you sounds like your going to go beyond your current power goals. Actually I will say if you stay in the 300-400hp range stay stock but if you plan to exceed that then upgrade them