Safe to run a tune without studs?

[pacificdrumma]

Giving some consideration to a Heath tune seeing as I am not sure how long it will take to accomplish my dream of a DB2/NV4500 swap. I want the truck to have more power, but not blow to pieces. I am not studded, and currently running an HX35 with a 12cm housing. If I gate the turbo to about 18psi or so, I should be at equal drive pressure to 10psi on a GM turbo. So, can I safely run a moderately aggressive tune without head studs or am I asking for trouble?

 

[NVW]

You should be fine imo.

 

[bison]

I have 50 k km with a tow tune on my engine + i run 15 lbs boost.
I even re-used the stock head bolts

 

[ak diesel driver]

I have nearly 300k on my truck put in my gl4 tune from heath at about 180k. only recently did I add the ATT, all with headbolts

 

[FellowTraveler]

Giving some consideration to a Heath tune seeing as I am not sure how long it will take to accomplish my dream of a DB2/NV4500 swap. I want the truck to have more power, but not blow to pieces. I am not studded, and currently running an HX35 with a 12cm housing. If I gate the turbo to about 18psi or so, I should be at equal drive pressure to 10psi on a GM turbo. So, can I safely run a moderately aggressive tune without head studs or am I asking for trouble?

The stock GM IHI turbo drive/back pressure + EGT is attributed to most headgasket issues I ran mine @ 15/18psi with jumps into 20/22psi on cold days w/o issues w/Heath tune for a good 10 years. You have an equated 1/3rd+- less drive/back pressure w/12 cm2 turbine housing so general consensus would be you are good to go but keep an eye on EGT's.

As turbo's go a 16 cm2 would be far better IMHO and the 18 cm2 I'm running with a good tune even better remember as drive/back pressure drops so does strain on engine and TTY bolts, another benefit is you get better performance & VE w/less pedal input.

 

[devildogadam]

I ran a hot tune with a big turbo for over a year consistently running around 20 lbs of boost on stock tty bolts. I had no issues, only recently when I rebuilt the top end did I install arps just for some added assurance.

 

[WarWagon]

Your real question is "should I ARP it now or wait till it blows and then ARP it?" Save yourself the labor and see how long it holds. If you loose the gamble you still tear it down and add ARP's.

 

[pacificdrumma]

Thanks guys, Ill update my other thread now.

 

[Quadstar Tuning LLC]

It really is a gamble. I have my 12cm^2 set at 15PSI and I've been warned so I'm weary of WOT pulls with Buddy's fuel curve. It really depends on how much fuel you are getting on the OBD2 tune.