So, I'm starting into the adventure of rebuilding my B5234T. It has 233K miles and a blown head gasket. I figure why do things half-way especially if I plan on keeping this car.


Here's the thing: I LOVE boost! The more the better. Hence the current head gasket state.


Problem: Torque-to-yield head bolts. They are garbage from Day 1.


Solution: ARP head studs. What experience do you guys have with these?


Thanks for your insight,


Hoosier 850 Turbo

 

Head studs work, so do head bolts. I've used ARP head studs, notice no difference whatsoever, sold the engine with it and now back to using headbolts.

Though, neither is usually the cause of head gasket failure. Bad a/f ratio, over boost, overheating are the usual cause of head gasket failure. I'd spend the money for a wideband gauge instead.

 

now that's what your supposed to do with a double DIN radio. go half radio, half guages! Nice share on the pic! On the head bolt Q - either works, provided you go with new.

 

Agreed, those gauges look pretty slick there!

 

Just saying hello to a fellow Hoosier 850 owner. I've got a 97 855R and a 97 854R project car.

I did the head on my 855 and went back with the head bolts. Didn't really have a problem with them. Yeah, the fact that they are single use and you spend $25 every time you take the head on/off kinda bites, but it's not like you do that all that regularly

 

Thanks for the replies so far. Yeah, I know that you can overboost, but the wastegate is set at like 3.3 lbs--pretty low. I want to hike it up, and yes add more fuel too. I just want the whole thing to live through the added boost.


Thanks again.