What do you guys run for tq on your cars? So far I’m having success on a dsm82, 32 psi, with a composite head gasket and standard arp’s torqued to 115 ft/lbs. E85 fuel with fat afr’s, 11.7-11.8, conservative timing, 14 degrees up top, the purpose of this thread is to hear about others success/failures with these standard studs vs cylinder pressure and high boost, my car hauls ass, but I’m proceeding with caution from this point on

Same as you but a Cometic MLS, torque on this one with Std ARP's 105, will be on E85 on 9:1's.
Other motor, L19's @115, Had a Cometic, going to a HKS. 10:1's, 40#s on E with lean afrs in the high 11's low 12's (I really think I was running out of pump). Ran FANTASTIC. 1.375 70-90 car if that means anything.

Proceed with caution but I really think you are ok considering how I was running my car. Take in all the others advice that they give and it should make you feel better!

Awesome info Thanks!

I’m trying to leave plenty of headroom with timing and afr’s, following what others have done, keeping an eye on my coolant overflow

Yeah you don't want to push coolant! I was on a HX40 and will be on this build too. Flowing around 58-60lbs/min on my logs.

https://www.dsmtuners.com/threads/1-2-head-studs-block-cylinder-deformation.417746/

Some good info on studs, tq and what is actually deforming etc in that thread. I think you'll be fine for a while.

What an awesome thread! Can’t believe I didn’t find that one, thanks for posting! I knew I was rolling the dice by going so high in tq, it’s a chance I took on my own car that has worked so far since last January, I would rather my head gasket be a fuse than my shortblock . I’ve gathered in general it’s safer to make power with boost, not timing. I also look at this whole game we play like an experiment with our cars, see what works and what doesn’t, and a part of me is looking forward to pulling the head so I can upgrade the valvetrain

Highest I saw was 50lb/min on regular arp’s and felpro composite. Now have L19s, O ringed head with OEM compsosite. Hope to hold down 40psi+.

We made 830hp@38psi. That equated to 218mph at the salt flats in four miles. We had other issues preventing a full five mile run. That was with a composite felpro and standard arp’s to 115lbs. I do most cars in the 105-115lb range depending on power goals. After that car I have no qualms about pushing paper head gaskets. And am certainly not afraid of regular arp’s.

Shit, our mirage has regular arp’s and we have gone 183mph in the half mile with it. That is in the mid 800hp range at a 6100ft elevation with a density altitude over 9000ft. No reason to be scared of regular arp’s. That is all we had for years. We have done the above without orings and wet blocks.

Keep the timing down and the boost up and your engine will be happy.

@biglady112, thank you for the input! So far I’ve turned up the 35r to 34psi, keeping timing at 14 degrees with afr’s 11.7-11.8. It’s a little scary turning this turbo up on a rebuilt stock block, but I know mike rizzotti and Ostar pushed way more on a high mileage untouched bottom end, and mine at least has fresh bearings and all ARP fasteners. So far the motor, trans and clutch seem to be happy . This is just a fun weekend warrior street beater. I plan on taking it to bandimere at least once this summer for fun. I’m basically done pushing it, just want to get new tires and bigger injectors next and call it good

I have ARP L19's torqued to either 95 or 100 whatever ARP told me to do with OEM gasket and slightly higher compression than stock (what that figure is I don't know). Right now it is probably a bit overkill for my stock turbo setup, but I have a Holset HX35 setup waiting around for me to finish getting the supporting mods in order. I am hoping to put down around 400 whp with boost hitting around the 35 psi mark, but in the end it will be up to what English Racing can do on the dyno... safely.


I think if I am not mistaken 6 bolts run slighlty higher torque specs than 7 bolts so your numbers look good to me

If you need a second opinion on the tune I would be happy to take a look.

I’m glad I don’t have to worry about my regular ARP’s and my Felpro gasket anymore. I’m going to push my 68HTA and I really didn’t see having an issue but there’s always that chance.

I’d like to add I was reminded by biglady112 that my overall timing is what peaks in my DA table PLUS the 5 degrees btdc. So my engine was actually seeing a total of 19 degrees up top So obviously I backed it off for the sake of my stock bottom end, something to keep in mind

I think when any of us mention our peak timing we all ignore base timing since I think everyone runs 5 btdc as theres no real reason not to. Unless some count it.. does anyone include base in their peak references?
Given that, many run 14 in DA on top, not sure how many on pump gas.. really it just comes down to parts in the build, accuracy of ignition, propensity to knock due to fuel and other factors, and how close you want to get to MBT.
Crappy 94 here so 14 is likely a dream for me..
Good job though, keep it happy. Slightly conservative timing can be overcome with moar boosts.