Guys and gals,

Does anybody have any experience replacing their exhaust fasteners with something like the ARP 300 Stainless series? Mulling the idea of replacing the manifold to turbo and turbo to O2 housing bolts and studs, for a stock frame setup. The ARP 300 Stainless series are marketed to be very corrosion resistant and tough, and they look nice to boot.

I've used regular ARP fasteners (black oxide) elsewhere in the vehicle and they seem to rust like no tomorrow, despite living in a predominantly arid region. I have OEM on the car now, but after 90K miles and xxxxx amount of heat cycles, I am hesitant to re-use them, because I have busted some up pretty good. I could order some new OEM ones but hate the associated wait time for out of stock parts from the dealer or even a reputable vendor. Hence the choice to go aftermarket... I could get them tomorrow.

Also depending on the fastener, no name aftermarket class 8 or 10's, are either zinc plated (good too and similar to OEM) or black oxide coated, but it seems you aren't guaranteed which one you'll get. Guess you could make a request to get one over the other but I would like keep everything as uniform as possible. I am going to replace the nuts on the manifold to cyl. head studs to copper ones as well.

Share your experience and thanks for your input.

 

I have the ARP Stainless Steel exhaust manifold to head studs and nuts. Theyre awesome and have held up great so far, only have slight heat discoloration. Replaced the crappy rusty stock copper ones. Would definitely recommend.

However I haven't tried the turbo studs you've mentioned, I would have though if I knew about them back then.

 

hmmm