Kooks replacement bolts?

[metalneverdies]

Any LSx swap guys run Kooks replacement exhaust manifold bolts?

http://www.jegs.com/i/Kooks+Custom+Headers/579/SB-B60032/10002/-1

Just curious on fit with out using a set of headers and the level of quality. GM bolts are like 6 bucks a pop.

Thanks!

 

[brian wafer]

are those bolt suppose, to eliminete the braking original ones. seems like half of these engines i see have missing manifold bolts. and they can be hard too get out. if so i want a set.

 

[metalneverdies]

are those bolt suppose, to eliminete the braking original ones. seems like half of these engines i see have missing manifold bolts. and they can be hard too get out. if so i want a set.

From what my local machine shop told me, there is basically no way to truely eliminate that. The fast cooling of the aluminum head and slow cooling of the steel bolt causes it to stretch and retract. The heating and cooling causes fatigue and the bolt snaps.

The gm replacement bolts are kinda pricey and for the money I didn't know if there was a stronger set.

3 of mine snapped. The rest are looking kind of sad.

 

[Stomis]

Eh whats to be said really about header bolts. Theyve got small heads and hold the header on

But seriously I thought a huge part of the bolt snapping issue on LS motors came from the factory lock tight? I dont see how aluminum expanding and contracting faster than the steel bolt could possibly cause harm to the bolt. I guess the be all end all solution would be to helicoil all the head bolts if its feasible or run aluminum bolts.

Personally I would think simply waiting for everything to be cold would alleviate any heat related issues. Just like not changing spark plugs in aluminum heads when anything is warm.

 

[metalneverdies]

Well, then in your opinion the Kooks will be fine?

 

[Stomis]

Well, then in your opinion the Kooks will be fine?

Its my opinion thats grade 8 bolts are grade 8 bolts. So yeah they should be fine. Go crazy and put a torque wrench on them and use antiseize rather than locktight. Check them after a few heat cycles and you should be fine.