High power pinto turbo questions - ARP Head/Main studs and cam tower strengthening

[theduck]

So, with the fitting a bigger turbo to the pinto as part of the 100e build, I keep asking myself the question "Is there anything more I should be doing to keep the engine reliable?" and there are only 3 things I can come up with that we haven't done to the engine that I feel might be needed at some point and I would appreciate some feedback from those more experienced with these things than I to make sure my understand of when and why these might be required etc

ARP Head Studs - I assume that they provide a better clamping force than Reinz bolts? Feel these may be almost an essential at this point if so to prevent lifting the head.

ARP Main Studs - I'm not entirely sure what benefit, if any, these bring?

Re-enforce/Strengthen the cam towers - My understanding is this will only be required if running a high poundage valve spring? I am hoping to not have to change from my current springs, but if they aren't up to holding back the boost and so have to upgrade them, then cam towers would be done at the same time.

For reference, on the TD04-19t we made around 300bhp in the end. The new turbo is a bit of an unknown, but should certainly be able to move enough air for 400bhp...

All thoughts, comments, ramblings etc fully welcome and encouraged!

[Graham]

ARP head studs will defiantly clamp better than bolts, they should also distort the block face less, as the transfer the clamping force deeper into the block

main studs, pointless!

cam tower strengthening, again pointless, probably more pointless in your application than using main studs, as your never going to use a cam/valve spring combo mad enough to require strapping the tower.

[therealpinto]

I am at the same power level as you, so it may be less valuable input but I use standard Reinz non-stretch head bolts. As far as I know the Skogen Racing guys have made the same choice or just run standard 12.9 fasteners.

ARP studs would of course not hurt though. Otherwise I agree with Graham.

(and I also have a new turbo on the shelf with similar capacities...)

:-)

Gustaf

[theduck]

Cool, was basing my assumption of possible need based on what I have been able to see in photos of the Holmgren racing setup, and trying to interpret why, but then I guess they are making a lot more power than I am going to be in order to run in the 8's! FGess money can stay firmly in wallet until such time as I find out how much boost it takes to lift the head

[Forest_rallying]

Cool, was basing my assumption of possible need based on what I have been able to see in photos of the Holmgren racing setup, and trying to interpret why, but then I guess they are making a lot more power than I am going to be in order to run in the 8's! FGess money can stay firmly in wallet until such time as I find out how much boost it takes to lift the head

If you are intending studding the head you might aswell go the whole Hogg and fit 6 long head studs that need to be machined through into the bottom of the cylinder block. I have seen so many Pinto blocks that have cracked around the head bolts on the top of the block, more so on the inlet side, the 200 4x4 block is no exeption either. If you look through the waterways you can see where the weakness lies.

[therealpinto]

Cool, was basing my assumption of possible need based on what I have been able to see in photos of the Holmgren racing setup, and trying to interpret why, but then I guess they are making a lot more power than I am going to be in order to run in the 8's! FGess money can stay firmly in wallet until such time as I find out how much boost it takes to lift the head

I am well aquainted with both Phredde and Jörgen Holmgren, we are in the same little part of the world we call Northern Sweden ;-)

Yes, they are working with a lot more power.

I am also thinking, generally, that if the head starts lifting due to bolts, it won't do much harm to other things as long as you catch it in time. But cracking the block is another deal...

Gustaf

[theduck]

That is my thinking too, Gustaf.