Bolts or Studs for headers?

[Spolar93]

what would be better, since i'll be pulling broken studs out? 300zx studs or just using 8.8 or 10.9 bolts? anyone ever used bolts instead of studs?

[mws]

Strength wise, both will be quite adequate.

 

Convenience wise, it is usually easier to use studs on at least on the outer most ends. They will help hold the gasket in place and serve to guide the headers into place.

 

If using all bolts, trying to hold the header and gasket aligned while starting the first couple bolts can be a bit, umm, frustrating.

[mws]

And I also suspect the standard studs would be quite adequate when using headers. But I will still be swapping to the ZX turbo studs anyways...

 

But if you have a time, dollar, or convenience crunch and want to use bolts, you should consider temporarily finger tightening a couple of your old studs (well cleaned, of course, and a couple drops of oil would be good) into the end holes to get the headers started. Then install new bolts from the neighborhood store on the inner holes. Once those are in, remove the studs from the ends and replace with the bolts.