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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

Thanks Craig- no bottom end work planned for 2005.

Have a great night.

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

$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.

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

Deffinatly get the ARPs or you will be pushing coolant. Your valve springs should be ok with the 272s but If you beat on your motor like alot of us do it probably wouldn't be a bad idea to get some Crowers. Especially if you have 100K+ miles.

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

As stated before, you do not need them but you should get them. On my 6 bolt with a 50 trim, I ran stock head bolts and had no problem at 22psi. I blew my HG later at 18 psi and threw in the ARPs and a stock HG with out copperspray. I have not had any related problems since. You can do it now when you have time or later when you blow your HG. If it were me, I would do it now as you are pulling the cams off anyway.

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

Thanks 92tsi--- I found the ARP for about $80 at Summit Racing. Looks like i'll be getting them from there. I gotta get Prothane mounts too. They seem to be the cheapest on them as well.