Hi, I'd like to upgrade the main bolts in my 1.9 before I install it in my car. I'm considering installing the factory main bolts from a PD-150 engine, or Raceware or ARP studs. Right now the engine is on a stand. Can I simply remove the stock fasteners, and install the upgraded units without removing the main caps/bearing shells, etc.? What is everybody's opinion on the fasteners to use? The PD-150 bolts run about $15 total from the dealer. The studs run about $100. My opinion is that if the PD-150 bolts can hold together under the extreme operating conditions of that engine, they should be more than adequate for my application. Thanks for your input.
from my experience you could do it. I would recommend the studs for the best holding power. I don't know about the PD bolts someone else maybe, but I like your reasoning. While your there though why don't you just take a look at the bearings and plastiguage/replace them? Bearings are a cheap piece of mind
. Just food for thought.
Biggest advantage of the studs is that you don't have to replace them if you take the caps off at some point in the future.
Though with an $85 difference, you'd have to be swapping bearings and shells pretty frequently to make up the cost difference. Your choice, but personally I'd go with the studs out of preference.
Also, not all AAZ's had stretch bolts, at least mine didn't, in which case you can reuse them. Although I haven't looked at them yet, they seem to have held up to my engine running away.
Thanks for the input everyone. It sounds like it should work out ok. It's on a new engine, so bearings should be fine... unless someone knows of some really good aftermarket ones to put in. The only problem with doing the PD-150 bolts will be finding someone who knows the correct torque to tighten them to. Otherwise, that's the way I'm leaning.