i have a concern. I just put rod bolts in my car and head studs and i have not fired it yet my concern is the factory rod bolt specks are something like 15 or 18 # plus 90degrees i double checked with a snapon digital torque wrench and this is 45 plus foot pounds. With the ARP rod bolts there specks are 30 foot pounds? why are Arp bolts recomended 30 #if they are made of a superior metal?I went over this with a friend from these forums that has a phd in some kind of metal science and deals with nuclear grade nuts and bolts and he was also concerened enough even after speaking with arp to tell me if they were his he would most likely take the bolts up in torque till they were closer to there yield point. I chose to take ARP word for it and go with 30 pounds but how many of us are there who have sucsessfully installed these without failure? i would feel better if i knew how many are out there.

 

I've always used the arp recommended torque rating using their included lube. Never had any issues. I believe that is same torque spec as with the ARP bolts on most aftermarket rods as well

 

Just because the bolts are made of superior metal, doesn't mean the metal around it is made of superior metals, if you tq the bolts too much you can stress and break the metal around it.

 

more important is the rod bolt stretch...
measure it at arp's recommended torque
call arp and ask them what should the bolts be stretched to....

i know my Cunningham's on my rsx need to be stretched 0.005 which happens at 50ft lbs with gear oil on the threads and head of the bolts which are made by A1