cyric

My question is at what point do I need to go to head studs and o-ring or fire ring the engine? I tried searching but i couldnt find what i was looking for. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

jhood12

start off by telling us what you have and what your plans are for your truck....

blackdiesel

basically, if your boosting over 44-45 psi, you need to upgrade your hg asap.

cyric

sorry i thought i had my sig filled out. right now I have the edge comp, afe intake, 4" magnaflow exhaust, Scotty smart fuel(modified),and the smaller FASS set up. I have 275 marine injectors and ats 3pc manifold and a South Bend con fe clutch kit waiting to go in. The clutch goes in this saturday. I also have a SHX40 turbo coming. You've heard it before but i think this is all i am gonna do to my truck. With this setup will i need head studs, o-rings or fire rings?
Thanks for the quick response guys.
"edit" i forgot to add gauges (boost, egt, and fuel pressure)

getblown5.9

if that hx40 is gonna push over 40 psi you'd be safe with just studs and not changing the HG or doing o-rings. once you start getting into the high 400hp range making 50psi or more is when you really need o-rings and better gaskets

SuperDave4x4

I wouldn't go to far beyond 40psi on that 40. Or atleast that's the general rule of thumb as far as HX40s go, not sure about the super's.

BigBlue

With that combo I'd just do studs. You can install them without removing the head and they are cheap insurance vs. replacing a headgasket. Just ask getblown5.9.

getblown5.9

yup, $400 for studs vs $200 for gasket, $1250 for machine work, $400 for studs, $200 for misc items.

putting in studs is tedious with all the re-tourqes, plus when you figure that you have 26 to replace and you have to do them one at a time to keep from relieving pressure from the gasket it can take a few hours.

RowJ

Studs would be good insurance, but I think you'd be ok without. Don't know the SHX-40 but if it's wastegated and you keep it at 40 psi... I see no problems.
Biggest key, IMO, is make sure T-stat is open and truck is fully warmed up before you drive it hard. I lost my HG at just under 40 psi by not doing that

RJ

PourinDiesel

Retorquing the stock bolts 1 at a time seems to work for some pretty hot trucks out there.....

Mike D

So very true!

cyric

Thanks guys, I think I am gonna go ahead and buy the studs and put them in. I like the idea of having insurance.

kipo

Make sure after you install them you slowly bring it up to temperature, tear it down and re-tourqe again. I re-tourqued mine while it was still hot and was amazed at how much more i got out of the gasket. IMO.

blacknchrome

guys i have custom twins on my truck, a blowed head gasket, knew that was goin to happen. so anyways i have arp studs on the way and a new gasket. my question is what else do i need to keep the freakin head tied down? i have a 60 lb gauge and im burying the needle. just wondering if i need fire rings or valve springs or anything like that? my truck is a daily driver just like to suck up some ricers every once in a while

RowJ

If you have the head off for the new gasket, it's crazy not to do O-Rings of Firerings. At 60+ psi...you will need more than just a new gasket to sleep well at night. At least, I would.

By 'custom twins" do you mean DIY twins or a unique combination. Either way...check your TIP (drive pressure) to be sure your not going to have trouble again. JMO

RJ