Are arp head studs worth it? Or are the factory ones good enough for an aftermarket head? FelPro also makes head bolts would those be better than the factory ones?

I cannot image there is much of a difference on these bolts, but I could be wrong?

 

If you track the car they are better if your changing the head. They are stronger.

 

If you're installing an aftermarket head I would do the studs also. I don't know if it's really required on the MINI but they hold much better than stock bolts. I have them on my F250.

 

I have them on my 2006 F250 too lol. better to have them and not need them than vise-versa. By the way, that's awesome. We have the same cars with reversed colors....

 

Want vs need....
So many performance parts are sold on owners desire to have "the best" when the stock has NEVER shown an issue. I bet the ARP are stronger in every way....but simply new quality headbolts are fine for 99% of the folks here.....
I would suggest (IMO) that reusing stock bolts are an iffy thing....a good eye might be able to spot elongation/stretching....but if in doubt, just junk them.

 

ARP head bolts are EXCELLENT. the advantage of using them is that they wont stretch. stock bolts will stretch. PLUS you are not supposed to reuse stock bolts because when they are torqued down they stretch a little. so it is recommended that you get either new OEM bolts OR ARP because they wont stretch unless you are running really high boost 34psi +

 

Do they make new studs for the intake manifold as well? If not any recommendations on replacements for the mini? I need new ones for my new head =)

 

What happened to the stock ones ?

 

Can you reuse the Arp on a different block ?

Not lifting and refitting heads
But say n14 1st then N18

Are they extract-able ?

 

plenty of folks pushing upward of +23psi without head bolts.. OEM rod bolts are cheap AF though; change those.

 

ARP offers uniform clamping force that cannot be guaranteed by the stock bolts that are torque to yield.

You can reuse them and for the few extra $ over buying all new stock bolts from Mini it's cheap insurance.

 

Stock head bolts held at 24 psi for me but as soon as I went to 25 psi the head started lifting. No such issue with the ARP studs. N14 and N18 are the same.

 

ARP studs are a must for higher HP applications. Are they good? Yes, every race team in many motor sports use them for a reason. OEM bolt are one time use torque to yield, stretch are not that strong. If your putting a new head on your car with a new head gasket they are cheap insurance over weaker OEM bolts.

 

I'm starting off with n14 motor and willl end up n18
Can the studs be pulled from block and reused on another block ?

 

You could but why bother? $180 for ARP, subtract $35 for the factory bolts youll have to buy to replace them with is $145. Replacing the studs one at a time might keep you from having to replace the head gasket on the N14 but if it leaks... now your looking at cam bolts, head gasket, having to retime the engine, yada, yada. Not really worth it with what can go wrong. Or are you planning an N14 to N18 engine swap?

 

Too many engines and plans

Nothing cast in stone, as my n14 is so new and fresh
Planning to push it hard but not not to destruction, was considering the studs as insurance but need to see extensive reuse as you have pointed out for the math to work

I've got Rcz r lump on ice
It seems too much of of a project to swap out completely at this stage
Perhaps if a cost effective stand alone was available
Manifold and turbo swap seem to be the low hanging fruit, and will happen soonish

But the bottom end seems to be where most of the goodness is

Happy to enjoy the journey before trying to build a monster in one hit

 

the big deal is: They are re-usable vs the 1x only use stretch bolts.......now take the costs into account and you have your answer (even if you run lower boost)