question about head studs (951)

[perfecto951]

So the motor is out and short of an internal rebuild (because i am poor) it's getting pretty much everything replaced. When i do the head gasket do i need to replace the head studs with new ones (assuming they are all in good condition and not broken). I know lots of cars studs stretch and they need to be replaced once they have been torqued down. So, if they DO need to be replaced where can i get some that aren't insanely expensive. The raceware ones are just a bit out of my price range for the moment.

As far as my car goes I have purchased everything but the 55lb/hr injectors, 3" exhaust & fresh 02 sensor (and I'm getting the headers Jet coated) and a new clutch....oh, and head studs if i need them.

Thanks for the help!

[ae1969]

As I recall the specs read to replace. They are supposedly a one shot deal.........

The stock studs are cheap....... I paid 8 bucks each canadian from the dealer. I was SURPRISED to say the least.

It can be a pain to remove them....The ones on the intake side can be a major PAIN. It took a large pipe wrench/tons of heat to get those ones out.

To be honest. I never replaced the stock studs in my NA......that has +200K. The head has been off at least 4 times.

On the turbo I replaced them..... but I had so much trouble with a cracked head I bought that I ended up pulling the head +5 times in a week. So it kinda defeats the purchase of just using them once.

What scared me was the condition the turbo ones were in. The intake side studs definitely had some rust and you can just imagine what you would have to go through if the stud broke in the engine.

FUN FUN.

You seem to be into this pretty far so go ahead and replace them.

P.S They both have their positives and negatives but to be honest I have not seen/heard of a set of new oem studs fail anyone... The racewares are great but you have to retorque after they heat cycle but they are good hardware.

[perfecto951]

thank you so much.
ps. does anybody know a site that sells OE studs and supporting hardware - i don't have the time to drive into Atlanta to get some from the dealership.