Time Serts, Norm's, SureGrip Stud Kit??????
Has anyone tried SureGrip SG102 Stud Kit designed and developed by Northstar Performance. http://www.northstarperformance.com/sgstuds.php

Any input as to which is best?
Where to buy parts?
Headgasket? Brand

Totally up to you. I developed the SG102 stud kit, so you know my answer...

The studs are one piece and strong. They won't pull up or expand when torqued. I've done the head gaskets on over 50 engines with 0 failures, and if inserts such as the two types stated above were all I could use, I'd give up doing Northstars. I've had four calls in the last two months from people who have done their head gaskets with both types of inserts, that have failed within the first two hours. I don't know the exact reasons why but I have a pretty good idea. I now have Davz old engine block in my new shop with the *orm's inserts that had failed- I'll be doing some inspection work on that engine as to why. These are the best inserts available on the market, but still, studs are the way to go.

Do it once, and do it for good.

SG102 studs, Fel-Pro gaskets, and you're good to go for a very, very long time.

Totally up to you. I developed the SG102 stud kit, so you know my answer...

The studs are one piece and strong. They won't pull up or expand when torqued. I've done the head gaskets on over 50 engines with 0 failures, and if inserts such as the two types stated above were all I could use, I'd give up doing Northstars. I've had four calls in the last two months from people who have done their head gaskets with both types of inserts, that have failed within the first two hours. I don't know the exact reasons why but I have a pretty good idea. I now have Davz old engine block in my new shop with the *orm's inserts that had failed- I'll be doing some inspection work on that engine as to why. These are the best inserts available on the market, but still, studs are the way to go.

Do it once, and do it for good.

SG102 studs, Fel-Pro gaskets, and you're good to go for a very, very long time.

I just can't see how Norm's inserts would fail. :helpless:
That would have to be have been a 100% installer issue

I still haven't had a chance to check that engine over - maybe, maybe not. As I said Norms are the best inserts on the market. If you choose to go with inserts, make sure you use those.

Id go with studs...

Studs are the way to go my friend, I used them on my HG job they are pretty slick and Jake (^^ 97eldo) has used them on 50+ HG jobs with no failures so far (not including the people that have bought and installed themselves).

He was also very helpful when I was having problems with the job itself.

Block porosity (bad casting) could have been an issue with the failed Norm's insert.

Or, AJ could be right and it was an installer issue.

That stud kit is sexy :worship:


I'd like to hear some feedback from anyone, if anyone on here has used them yet.

Chacen, ``NortHStaR`` has used the studs as well as a few other forum members and many people that are not forum members. If installed correctly - (the large diameter end must be countersunk roughly one sixteenth of an inch below the deck surface) the chance of head gasket failure is slim to nil. If not properly countersunk, the head can tighten against the stud itself instead of compressing the gasket against the block- instant failure. This is where common sense comes into play. Really, it`s foolproof and by far the easiest and most durable way to secure the heads once and for good, and retain even clamping force on the head gasket.

I used Norms insert kit with ARP studs. No issues and they work fine. I think they would work even with some bad porosity in the holes. There is a good quantity of aluminum that gets drilled out. The inserts are beefy and grip extremely well.

However, it would be easy to screw up on the drilling if your not careful. In fact, its better to predrill with Norms inserts and then use his drilling tool procedure.

If I were to do it a second time, I'd use the studs kit that Northstar Performance is promoting. The reason why is that it comes with a better tool set to drill the holes square and eliminates extra parts (inserts) and simplifies the process. I like the one piece idea.

I'll have to update the photos on my site. The drill and tapping fixture is now all in one, 1.25" deep precision machined drill and tap bushings welded solid into a 3/8" thick CNC plasma cut plate. This simplifies the process even more and is very accurate. The fixture is bolted to a jig when it's welded so that it remains flat and square.

The box containing the drill/tap fixture, studs, hardware, everything together; weighs 14 lbs. It's solid. I'll do what I can to update the site in the next few days. The kits for the newer style Northstar (2000+) will be in stock in about two weeks.

I won't knock Norm's - that is what I used and am happy with the results. But as I have said in previous posts 97 Eldo's kit was not available when I did HGs. If it had been I would have probably used it instead.

Jake - When installed properly how deep do your studs go into the block?

The studs have 2 inches of grip in the block and since 1/16th of an inch is left at the top, they should be down about 2 1/16" from the block surface.

Ordered the stud kit from Jake. I will post after the job is done.
I am also thinking about a ZEX wet nitrous 75 shot. I already have this it is kit number 82023.

That stud kit is sexy :worship:


I'd like to hear some feedback from anyone, if anyone on here has used them yet.


I will tell you anything you wanna know... Post some questions, or PM them to me, whatever you want...

To any and all people who ordered the stud kit, the studs have all come in and are being packaged now. There are kits available now for 2000-2005 Northstars as well, SG500 series. All studs are quality inspected twice- once by the machine shop and again by my team.

I'll be keeping more and more supplies in stock from now on to avoid any delay in getting the stud kits.

Thanks
-Jake

97EldoCoupe's SureGrip stud kit has seen repeated 0-220kph(0-137mph) WOT passes in my 98 STS.

It has not overheated once, and is running very strong.

I recommend Jakes(Northstar performance) services and supplies.

peace
Hog