Hey guys I am goin to be doing a heads/cam/lsxrt intake swap on my truck and was wondering if I should go with arp head bolts or just get new gm head bolts?
Thanks for any help!!

Drew

 

ARP, that way it wont be a bitch torquing them to yeild with ARP its just several torque steps

 

If you go with the ARP's, you can reuse them if you have to...the factory head bolts are a one time use TTY bolt. Personally, I prefer the TTY method of torquing head gaskets, as it's more about how much the bolt turns and compresses the gasket, as opposed to how tight it gets at it's torque spec, which can be affected by how clean the bolt holes are (should be spotless), what lubricant is used on the bolts (different lubes require different torque specs), etc. But the ARP's are nice, and reuseable and many have used them with great success, so basically take your pick. The stock bolts can handle a lot of hp, but I believe that guys prefer the ARP's when they're going big boost. If you do go with ARP's, you have to decide between studs, 6pt, and 12pt head bolts

 

I went with ARP Hex Studs, but I'm going turbo. I think the only reason to go 12pt is for socket clearance for big springs, but I've got PRC duals and I had no clearance issues with my 6 pt socket. There are turbo guys making 600+hp with stock head bolts, so its for sure possible, but more safe to go with ARP if you have the money. Plus, as mentioned, you can reuse them.

 

Yea, in most cases where clearance isn't an issue, most just go with 6 or 12pt depending on what they prefer. There was a big debate about the 6pt vs. 12pt pro's/con's a while back, as to which one is better, but IMO it doesn't make enough of a difference to lose any sleep over