Do I need ARP head bolts for a 50trim upgrade.

[Onefast99gsx]

Hi All,

I'm bolting a PTE 50trim turbo on my 99 GSX currently as my winter project. I have no clue how much i will be boosting this turbo yet as i don't know where its limits are. I would guess I'd be boosting around 24-26psi on race gas.

My questions:

Do I need ARP head studs (mandatory) for this turbo/boost ????

-and-

Do i need an aftermarket head gasket of some sort (copper) ????

Thanks for your input.

[AJ]

They aren't mandatory, but as a safety feature you may want to do them. You can probably wait till you do a head gasket swap if you want. Otherwise do it all at the same time with your timing belt shit if needed. You should be good on a stock mitsu hg with copper spray.

I may be off here but for some of the other HGs you may need to have some machine work done.

[Onefast99gsx]

Thanks for the quick reply. I think for only $100 or so, i'm best to get the ARP studs. Then i think i'll just get a new OEM gasket and spray it with copper spray(Permatex). You might be right on the Copper gaskets. They might require o-ringing on the engine surface. Somebody else might be able to verify that though.

[Kracka]

For 26 lbs/boost you are going to want to get some ARP's in there; the stockers begin to stretch around 24. A copper sprayed Mitsu gasket will work just fine. Last I checked a copper headgasket does require O-ringing.

[Onefast99gsx]

Thanks much you two.... That's the thing i like best about his forum. You get fast responses, EVEN on a Saturday night during a football game. I'm gonna get the ARP's.

2g ARP studs are going on ebay for $110. I've never priced these out before. Is that a good price? If not do either of you have another online source for them?

Thanks again.

[Kracka]

QPR and/or Elite can probably match or beat that price...check with them; $110 is not that great of a deal.

[Onefast99gsx]

Sounds good. I will check with them on Monday. I'm about 1hr east of Eau Claire so they would have to UPS it if anything.

Thanks!!

PS- Rather than starting a new thread here. I'm putting 272 cams on before i put it back on the road. Can you run the stock valve springs with 272's. I read somewhere before that for high lift cams, you should put different springs into to prevent binding.

[TheBlizzard]

Your springs are retainers should be just fine with the 272s. Unless your getting the motor built and plan on reving really hight I wouldn't worry about them.

CRAIG

[Onefast99gsx]

Thanks Craig- no bottom end work planned for 2005.

Have a great night.

[Shane@DBPerformance]

$110 is a good price for the 7-bolt ARP head studs, they cost a lot more than the 6-bolt versions. You don't need a different head gasket to run that much boost, the stock headgasket will hold 30+psi as long as you don't detonate too much. The 7-bolt head bolts are not as thick as the 6-bolt, so putting in ARPs are a good safety measure if your trying to run high boost.