Should I upgrade to ARP Headbolts?

[smarkle78]

I am upgrading to a Frankenturbo w/ custom tune and 3" full exhaust, FMIC, DV, Injectors, AEB Intake....was suggested to me about upgrading to ARP headbolts...Can I do this 1 by one and not take off my head? Is it worth it? Thoughts......

[gotboost]

you dont need head bolts

[Audi Skate Snow]

you dont need em... if you do ever do them... it requires pulling the head off, replacing head gasket, resurfacing head, cleaning block surface, coolant, oil, etc.

has nothing to do with doing a BT at all.

[FORCE_FED_DUB]

you're not anywhere near needing them

[smarkle78]

Good I could use the money for other things!!! Thanks!

[jayiszraw]

on subject (sort of) thread jack. why do people always use bolts instead of studs?

[kwan]

Head bolts are what the vehicle comes with. Studs for high output engines, or if you happen to have to remove your head off alot (headbolts are one time use).

[jayiszraw]

i know the difference but why buy the head bolts instead of the studs?

[FORCE_FED_DUB]

i know the difference but why buy the head bolts instead of the studs?

simpler fastener?

[RecklessTuning]

If you take your engine apart a lot head studs are good to have cause you can use them over and over. Stay away from raceware if you do get them. If you take head off one time I would put studs in that cost isn't that much different for OEM ones. But I have personally put down 450whp on stock head bolts... but for my race car I only use head studs it's pushing 700whp.

[A4 TSCHUSS]

You can use ARP head bolts over and over just like head studs. And there is zero reason to run better than stock head bolts unless you are running atleast 35psi making serious power. I have stock head bolts in my car.

[black99.5a4]

my buddy was running them in his 20v swapped mk2. at 30psi on a 35r, he lifted his head due to STOCK headbolts at 53X to the front wheels. That was his expensive lesson learned.

[A4 TSCHUSS]

Interesting, because like I said, many people use stock headbolts running greater than 30psi. In fact I ran 28-30psi all the time (as in everyday) with my 30r and even 33psi once. And using head studs a guy on this forum lifted his head at I think it was 38psi so I wouldn't go counting on those things either. Not sure what brand he was using.

[dougyfresh]

my buddy was running them in his 20v swapped mk2. at 30psi on a 35r, he lifted his head due to STOCK headbolts at 53X to the front wheels. That was his expensive lesson learned.

An AZ member had his head lift with stock bolts running 30-35psi on a 2871.

For the OP's situation. If he's not taking the head off somewhat frequently than stock bolts are okay.

I have ARP bolts because I have pulled my head a few times in the past year. At least I'm saving money on bolts but an overbore headgasket is $100 a pop which hurts.

[A4 TSCHUSS]

I have thought about getting them to "save money on bolts" but really are you saving? It is what $35 for stock bolts and like $150 for ARP bolts with the tool. That is a lot of times taking the head off to even come close to the cost of the ARP bolts! Those damn big bore head gaskets are to much money though, like triple the price of a stock bore gasket.

[black99.5a4]

Interesting, because like I said, many people use stock headbolts running greater than 30psi. In fact I ran 28-30psi all the time (as in everyday) with my 30r and even 33psi once. And using head studs a guy on this forum lifted his head at I think it was 38psi so I wouldn't go counting on those things either. Not sure what brand he was using.

My buddy dailys his mk2 from April to Nov and drag races it almost every weekend.. its fully caged, running tapp 1000cc file.. so its used and abused. The OP wouldnt need them no, but IMO, its always good b/c you never know what problems you are going to have down the road and its an expense that is paid for once and not stock bolts repeatedly.. (i.e. what if the headgasket fails? or he decides to do a diff head, etc)

[dougyfresh]

I have thought about getting them to "save money on bolts" but really are you saving? It is what $35 for stock bolts and like $150 for ARP bolts with the tool. That is a lot of times taking the head off to even come close to the cost of the ARP bolts! Those damn big bore head gaskets are to much money though, like triple the price of a stock bore gasket.

I paid for my ARP bolts the third time I removed my head last year. Granted I only paid about $100 for the bolts but I made my money's worth.

[A4 TSCHUSS]

My buddy dailys his mk2 from April to Nov and drag races it almost every weekend.. its fully caged, running tapp 1000cc file.. so its used and abused. The OP wouldnt need them no, but IMO, its always good b/c you never know what problems you are going to have down the road and its an expense that is paid for once and not stock bolts repeatedly.. (i.e. what if the headgasket fails? or he decides to do a diff head, etc)

I mentioned when quoting Doug, stock bolts are only $35, the ARP kit with the tool is $150 aka 4.28 times the cost and 99% of the people don't need something like that. If you take your head off that amount of times then you have other problems than worrying about buying some bolts!

[IVRINGS]

I just ordered ARP bolts just cause I wanted to maybe go big port after my rebuild, and I didn't want to buy a 2nd set of bolts later.

[kwan]

I paid for my ARP bolts the third time I removed my head last year. Granted I only paid about $100 for the bolts but I made my money's worth.

Ditto.

[A4 TSCHUSS]

What is with all this head pulling going on?!!!

[kwan]

What is with all this head pulling going on?!!!

My first one was because of the superior assembly of cat cam gear sprockets.

[A4 TSCHUSS]

That is why you buy Schrick cams Quality billet cams and they don't fall apart or get put together wrong!

[kwan]

Exactly what I'm running now. I got the billet cats way back for a good price, but billet means nothing when the other components fail.

[dougyfresh]

What is with all this head pulling going on?!!!

I'm pretty sure you know why.

[A4 TSCHUSS]

Haha

[PhunkFX]

I told you Steve, you didnt need them.... don't believe me or something? ;-)

[smarkle78]

I told you Steve, you didnt need them.... don't believe me or something? ;-)

Posted this the same time I asked you. I like to hear all kinds of input to make determinations :P Don't worry, you are still my best and most reliable B6 source of info......

[PhunkFX]

Yikes, don't let people know that!

[RecklessTuning]

I pull my head all the time on my race car. I do a complete rebuild on it almost every winter, and who knows when I feel like changing the turbo or the manifold. There are tons of reasons to have them. But if you ever had to replace them I would go with ARP head studs just for peace of mind.

Don't go with racewarer they are cheep and will mushroom and cause cylinder head lift. I lifted my head on low boost at 500whp with racewares. Raceware just told me they weren't installed properly but there are hundreds of cases with people having the same issues on volkswagens/audi's.