So im in the process of rebuilding an LS vtec right now. It had a b18c1 head on it but im going B16 head. I asked some friends of mine and they said to use GS-R head bolts to tighten the head if im using the B16 head. Is this true? I pulled my B18 off with bolts that are all the same length. They told me to use ARP head bolts or just GS-R head bolt. Can i just re use these b18 ones even if they are all the same length? Whats so much better about gettin longer bolts in the middle of the head?

 

you should use b16 head bolt with a b16 head ARP or Oem! Gsr head bolts with a GSR head!! If the oem GSR head bolts or any oem honda head bolts are used, then they CANNOT be re-used! Honda headbolts stretch when they are torqued down the first time making them almost useless if you have to take the head off again. ARP headbolts don't stretch, making reuseable over and over again!!

if you reuse the OEM headbolts its is a good bet that you will blow headgaskets and leak more oil then an lsvtec normally leaks!!!

 

Use GSR or Type-R head bolts/studs with an LSVTEC it doesn't matter if they're OEM or ARP, you can't use B16, check out the all-motor forum for the "How to build a reliable LS/B20/VTEC"

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread/1676914