whats the max boost level you can pull on a 7.3 factory with head studs?

 

If you're talking about your '86, I just talked with the Banks tech guy about my '88 7.3 with a Banks turbo, and he told me head studs would be a bad idea; I'd just end up blowing out the bottom of my engine. He told me my turbo was so quiet because it only produces about 10 lbs. of boost, and that's really all it can handle. He went on to explain that about the only thing he'd recommend would be to turn up the pump.

 

With head studs, I wouldn't go any higher than 15psi. Anything higher than 10psi without an intercooler wont help though. The air is too hot and you actually lose power.