I'm about to put inn new pistons and rods for my ecotec...i'm also putting a new head gasket on....do i need anything else, like head studs or anything?

You don't have to get "head studs" however you do need to at least need to use NEW head bolts becasue the stock bolts are torque to yield and can only be used one time. Now since stock bolts are one time use and cost around $50 and ARP studs are only about $115 I say go with the studs since those are re-usable and a little bit stronger. You only have to pull the head one more time and they've already paid for themselves, but it's your call.

Also your going to want to get a new set of rod bearings. I know the Build book talks about re-using your stock bearings however I talked to several people during my build and they all agreed that putting old bearings back in is a BAD idea. Your in there already just spend the extra 25 bucks and put new ones in. Other than that you should be good to go provided you do all the nesecarry prep and stuff like that.

Good luck with it.


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