Head Studs: Who has them?

[StereoInstaller1]

OK, so I called ARP. They said that they do not make studs for the M20. They also said M50 head studs will not fit, as they are about 2" shorter, and have gone out of production.

I want a set of head studs. Who makes them, who has them installed, anyone have part numbers, etc?

What about MMs re-useable head bolts? What about "Metric Blues", are they reuseable? I want to buy ONE set of head bolts for the next M20 build, never to buy them for that motor again!

Thanks.

Luke

[backtrail69]

Racewear makes them.

http://www.apexengineering.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/22_51/products_id/132

Carr Industries sells ARP.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-ARP-RACING-HEAD-STUD-KIT-M20_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33617QQihZ015QQitemZ250081576328QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V

Regarding the Metric Blues, you can get them at McMaster Carr. I have them in my current turbo motor. They are no where near as nice as a good headstud, but can be reused since they are non stretch. They also cost like 40 bucks instead of 200+. I am buying studs when I build my forged stroker motor later this summer.

I would just buy stock bolts unless you are going FI. Waste of money IMHO.

[StereoInstaller1]

You raised a good point with the whole FI issue.

I am planning to go FI next year.

The plan is this: Freshened motor (thanks again, Jeff!), MS&S (learn what the hell I am doing) then Ebay or TCD or CarTech turbo kit, aiming for about 6 to 8 pounds of boost. Maybe 12 to 15 later, but I wanna run cheap gas.

This is never going to more than a DD.

$200 more for head studs would be mostly for bragging rights and having had head studs before (on other cars) it is really nice.

Odd that I am willing to pay more for a set of head studs than I will pay for the head work...

Luke

[backtrail69]

Nando and I just got his MS2 working really good on his ix yesterday. He made a wiring adapter for the stock harness to MS, jumped one relay and added 3 sensors (WB 02, GM AIT and M50 TPS). It only took me a hour or two of cruising around to smooth out his map to make a very driveable car. PM him if you need any more info about the wiring adapter.

[StereoInstaller1]

Cool, but I plan on a full rewire when I 'squirt. It kinda is up my alley and all, y'know.

Good to hear you and Nando got his beastie running right!

I think I am gonna call ARP again...if Carr has them, why the hell won't ARP (Ass Raping Pirates?) sell to me? They said they do not make them. I found it odd...

[MR 325]

I just bought some Metric Blues from nando. Only cost a bit more than stock so I figured why not. I'm going to be pulling my head at some point to fix a oil leak and add a cam.

[winstontj]

They said they do not make them. I found it odd...

Luke they really don't make studs for the m20

If you are going FI why don't you use stock bolts and O-ring the head? It's better & cheaper than an ARP setup IMO.

ARP is only a good thing if you are revving up over 6500 or if you have a race motor that you'll need to rebuild every couple of hours.

For a street car just use stock head bolts.

[Sean]

Nando and I just got his MS2 working really good on his ix yesterday. He made a wiring adapter for the stock harness to MS, jumped one relay and added 3 sensors (WB 02, GM AIT and M50 TPS). It only took me a hour or two of cruising around to smooth out his map to make a very driveable car. PM him if you need any more info about the wiring adapter.

MS2...megasquirt?

Is it really that easy to get all wired up? I'd love to finally get my car tuned!

Did it make a noticeable difference?

Sorry...don't mean to highjack, Luke. But, had to know! :)

[StereoInstaller1]

So is Nando a source of Metric Blues, or McMaster-Carr, or do I cough the dough to get the Metric Mechanic head bolts or what?

I don't think I should go stock if the price difference is only double or so.

Thanks, guys!
Luke

[digger]

i got my M20 ARP head studs from VAC so they do exist

[StereoInstaller1]

Digger, do you have a part number by chance?

We are talking M20, right?

Thanks,
Luke

[MR 325]

From what I understand they did exist at one time but are NLA.

[mops]

AFAIS raceware makes them. vac motorsports have arp ones available, i recall somebody posting on e30tech forums that he got them and they are sweet ass.

it might be a good idea to go to your loval fasteners place and find out whether something similar is available off the shelf. my local fasteners place has 12.9 bolts, they say they have studs but not 12.9 grade. I'm currently deciding whether it is better to have generic 12.9 bolts or grade lower studs.... note that the front crank bolt is 12.9 grade and it is done up to like 300ft/lbs... but it's a big bolt, m15 at least if not more, instead of m10 for the headbolts, i'm not sure whether that does matter...

[digger]

Digger, do you have a part number by chance?

We are talking M20, right?

Thanks,
Luke

yeh, m20 but no PN i'm afraid.

[digger]

Luke they really don't make studs for the m20

If you are going FI why don't you use stock bolts and O-ring the head? It's better & cheaper than an ARP setup IMO.

ARP is only a good thing if you are revving up over 6500 or if you have a race motor that you'll need to rebuild every couple of hours.

For a street car just use stock head bolts.

excuse my ignorance but what is o-ringing the head?