If you are looking for every last bit of horse power, then go with the studs. They won't distort the cylinder walls when you torque the head like the bolts will. Granted it is a small difference but the bolts do stress the threads in the block and will cause them to open just a bit so the cylinder walls distort at each bolt hole in the block. This causes the rings to not seal as well and so a loss of horse power, however small, but a loss just the same.


It would be best to have a friend help with removal and installation with head on the studs, but it would be worth it. It's kinda like Suppra-girl said earlier. And it would be a long time before you blew that head gasket too.

Russ