At one time recently, I was perusing this site, I think so anyhow, and ran across a source for head stud kits significantly less than ARP and others. I love ARP stuff, but, if other sources are available for much less money that are good quality, I'd like to hear about them.

 

If you want cheap and don't plan to make a ton of power go mighty diesel, them make stronger than stock head bolts, a1 makes h11 studs I think for a bit less than standard arp 2000's. 450-500 for studs isn't bad, but sure how much cheaper you wanna go. mighty diesels are like 140$ for a set.

 

Also think about this. There is numorus 1000+hp Cummins engines out there getting beat on with stock headbolts
There is much more to keeping the head gasket intact than headstuds

 

I don't think that's an accurate response..... there aren't tons running stock bolts. Studs or at least better bolts are a must. Heads lift from timing mostly and boost somewhat. Cylinder pressure will lift a head with weak stock bolts. Can an engine survive a bit with stock bolts, yes. For long and at 1000hp, no. Not sure where you got that info. But it's not something to tell people. Just get good studs and be done with it, if you are cheap with your actions you will have cheap results. Diesels and performance are not about saving a buck unless you can afford to break things and down time. Arp 2000's are cheap. If you can't afford 450$ for studs the diesel game likely isn't for you.

 

Studs are cheap, but proper surface mating, and equal clamping force with the proper sequence is the biggest factor. You may be able to squeeze them a little harder together with studs. But proper machining goes further than headstuds do.
My info - Jeff Garmon, Dan Morrison. For years they both only ran stock head bolts in their drag trucks, Jeff was over 1000hp for 5 seasons before switching over to another engine iirc.
A proper machined o-ring will help tremendously as well.
I'm not saying studs are worthless, I have them in my engine. But they are not a necessity by any means for 95% of people

 

It's not an argument, if you do some digging you will be shocked in who's engines have bolts in them, I know I was a few years back when I started asking around.
But I agree, if 400$ is out of the question, performance diesel is not in the budget.

 

I've heard of it but usually pulling or race trucks to just get a season out of stock parts. Pop the head off and replace with the good stuff. Never seen anyone over 400whp or any significant timing with stock stuff. Not as a permanent set up anyways.

 

Been racing mine for a number of years (around 1000hp now), and have run The SHCS (Mighty Diesel bolts), Extreme Studs, ARPs and etc. Currently run the 625s. I also run ARPs for exhaust manifolds, flex-plates, turbos, mains and etc. Just cause I have a lot less problems with them, especially exhaust components. Buy the best you can afford!