400ex Heavy Duty Head Studs!

[rr4406pak]

Hello all,

I'm looking for heavy duty head studs for my 400ex.
I'm getting a 416 kit installed with an 11:1 compression piston and wanted to get the aftermarket studs for extra added reliability. I know some say I do not need the HD studs with 11:1 but I think it'd be a good idea.

Does anyone know where I can get the best price on them?

I found them on GT Thunder's website for $59.95 (anyone have any experice dealing with GT Thunder? http://www.gtthunder.com/)

and on East Coast ATV for $90.00

Opinions? Comments? Help?
Thank you!

[bradley300]

gthunder is the best company out there hands down, he does great work thats fast and cheap, not to mention the man treats e-mail more like instant messenger. i think the longest it ever took him to repond to one of my emails was 2 hours:eek:

[frogburner]

You dont need them for 416 11:1, I had a 406 11:1 without them and my buddy had a 416 then 426 11:1 with out them.. I'm runnin 12.5:1 now though, so ya I installed them for sure... But its up to you,always makes ya feel better knowin you have them..

[bulkdriverlp]

zsk has been through all this, he would know. he has 440 thou, im sure he will help

[rr4406pak]

bulkdriverlp,
Who the heck is zsk???:huh

Thanks

[Dave400ex]

I would highly suggest GT Thunder. Laz is the man. Just go ahead and get the head studs for the extra reliability.

[ZSK]

Originally posted by rr4406pak
bulkdriverlp,
Who the heck is zsk???:huh

Thanks

Hi http://www.swamprot.net/albums/emoticons/ciao.gif

I blew two headgaskets and then went with HD studs. The only places I knew of at the time were FDO and Eastcoast. East coast was about $110 and FDO was only $78. I haven't had a problem with the FDO's since I put them in. Go with GT thunder, they have the experience and reputation in this sport.

[rr4406pak]

What kind of compression & bore were you running when you blew the head gaskets?

Thanks.

[ZSK]

89mm (440) and 11.5:1. Best adivce, use high quality gaskets and get the studs now. It's cheap compared to other parts that we get into in this sport. If you ever go bigger then you still won't have to worry.

[rr4406pak]

When you put in the oversize studs do you have to rethread the block as well as the head? The shop putting in my 416 kit says I really don't need them with only 11:1 and it would cost more to machine the head and block to put the studs in.

[ZSK]

You only have to machine the cylinder. It's a simple bore and thread job at least with the FDO studs. You drill the holes larger and retap them for the 7/16 14 thread. They came with new nuts with flanges so you don't have to use the washers and acorn nuts. No machining in the head itself. The machining doesn't cost much at all. Hell, it only took about 45 mins. It's drilling and tapping 4 holes. I'm speaking from experience with FDO studs. You won't need them with a 416 it's just a cheap piece of mind.

[TC426EX]

Just get the studs man, you wont regret it... Esp. if you can get a set for cheap like GT Thunder is apparently selling... It is not a hard mod but it must be done right. I was fortunate to have access to a Bridgeport when I drilled and tapped mine so I was sure that they were drilled straight. I really wouldnt reccomend just doing it with a hand drill if you can help it... Either way, its only drilling and tapping 4 holes like someone already mentioned... Keep in mind that each maufacturer may use a different thread so make sure you double check with whoever you get them from about what tap youll need. I know the ECATV ones I installed had a different thread than the FDO ones mentioned above...

[novak8]

does anyone know what size the threads are on the GT Thunder studs? I'm just curious to know before i order them.