Lifting heads, Pressurizing cooling system

[CGT]

Just curious at what boost level any of you have experienced this at. With stock bolts etc. ?

[CGbambam]

Stock bolts not sure, but 24 psi on arp head studs i lifted mine. Well more like the headgasket melted and made a hole threw the head but you get my point

[AGP Turbo]

'With stock bolts etc.?'-
So I assume you must be talking about a pretty much stock engine. If you have high octane fuel and a good safe tune, then your pistons will usually be fine and your rods will bend before the heads will lift. Heads lifting seems like more of a bad tune, too low octane problem. Pistons would likely break before the heads would lift too.
And without enough octane your pistons are for sure the first thing to go.

[CGT]

Originally Posted by AGP Turbo

'With stock bolts etc.?'-
So I assume you must be talking about a pretty much stock engine. If you have high octane fuel and a good safe tune, then your pistons will usually be fine and your rods will bend before the heads will lift. Heads lifting seems like more of a bad tune, too low octane problem. Pistons would likely break before the heads would lift too.
And without enough octane your pistons are for sure the first thing to go.

TVS1900 ported, stock ls3 shortblock, 8.6 x 2.38 pulleys, ported heads, cam, etc. Makes 14lbs on E85. 800rwhp SAE. I've been getting some mystery air pockets in my cooling system. Just trying to figure out whats going on. Thanks for the input.

[AGP Turbo]

The heads came off and it went back together with stock head bolts? That's rarely done right. The holes have to be chased out and cleaned to like new for the torque specs to be accurate. Head studs make that irreverent and are stronger too.

[Punisher_ATX]

ARP studs and Athena Ring Gaskets are good for 30+ psi. Just sayin

[CGT]

Originally Posted by AGP Turbo

The heads came off and it went back together with stock head bolts? That's rarely done right. The holes have to be chased out and cleaned to like new for the torque specs to be accurate. Head studs make that irreverent and are stronger too.

It was a clean and accurate install, done by myself. I am very meticulous. But you never know I guess. I'm just trying to get some ideas. Thanks

[Punisher_ATX]

For reference i run 12psi LSA blower stock bolts.

[CGT]

Originally Posted by Punisher_ATX

For reference i run 12psi LSA blower stock bolts.

Thanks for the info. I was at 11.8lbs for awhile with no issue like this. The last few pounds seems like is when this started happening. I'm still not convinced that it is lifting the heads, could be in denial I suppose.

[Punisher_ATX]

What type of blower? or turbo? A local guy with a D1 lifted his head and pushed coolant at 9psi

[CGT]

Originally Posted by Punisher_ATX

What type of blower? or turbo? A local guy with a D1 lifted his head and pushed coolant at 9psi

Ported, welded LSA blower.

[CGT]

Well, after playing with it some more, I'm farely convinced I'm lifting the heads a bit. No knock detected, AFR is right on, but manages to get an air pocket and overheat after a hard pass.

Has anyone had a similiar issue? And if so, does anyone feel head studs will really resolve it? Has anyone went from stock bolts to studs and resolved an issue? Just curious. Thanks

[Slickcas]

Stock bolts seem to work for some. But at 14 psi I would pull the heads. Chase the threads. Clean all the mating surfaces up. Use LS9 Head gaskets. And ARP Head bolts. For the $$ hard to beat.

Also ARP bolts can be reused. Stock bolts (stretch boats)CAN NOT.

You can step up to ARP studs , also there are a few high end MLS gaskets out there.

But for us normal crazy people running less then 20psi it’s just not needed.

[Rdunn]

It does sound like you are lifting the heads.