At what point is a MLS HG and studs suggested?

[forcefed86]

I blew my 6 bolt motor and am in the process of building up a replacement. I found the old motor had ARP bolts (not studs) installed and an OEM composite type head gasket. This motor held 34psi spikes and 25psi with no issues. I ended up breaking a rod and or lower half of a piston. Hard to tell at this point.

I'm running a 16 G around 25psi. (roughly 400hp). Would you all suggest studs and an MLS gasket? Or is that "overkill" for a 16g OEM internal 6bolt build.


Thanks!

 

[toofast82]

Stock 6bolt head bolts and hg in good condition can handle 400hp with no problem. The arp studs wouldn't hurt and with the stock composite gasket have proven to handle quite a bit of power.(500+)
I ran my stock 6bolt on a 16g at 23-25psi with no issues for reference as well as a thread on what some have done on stock head bolts
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/cyl...e-you-pushed-your-stock-6bolt-head-bolts.html

 

[forcefed86]

That is good info, I'm comparing ARP bolts to ARP studs though. I'm assuming the difference is minimal at my cylinder pressure levels.

Thanks!

 

[donniekak]

I have never noticed a difference between stock bolts, and arp products on a 6-bolt. With the 6-bolts there are only 2 real options, stock bolts, or h11/l19 tool steel studs. The regular arps are a waste of money if you already have good stock bolts. If i had nothing and had to buy new, i might get regular arp's just because a stud torques better than a bolt.

 

[Dsmj89]

You can get away with oem parts, but if you have everything disassembled why not just upgrade it for peace of mind for once and for all ?
Maybe one day you might change your mind and go bigger turbo, higher boost, etc. You'll thank yourself for having wasted a few extra $ and played it safe and having it done once.
Just my 2 cents.

 

[blackGSX2g]

I'm on a Felpro composite/ARP stud combo and running 30+psi on a 50-trim with pump gas with no issues at 400+ whp. I had an MLS for awhile and still managed to push coolant on some high boost runs even with a freshly resurfaced block & head surface. The composite isn't as picky about sealing as the MLS.