Thanks for web address, great visual on explaining stage 8 bolts. I still don't see how you can get a socket on your breslins, I could not get a socket on a single hex headed bolts I had. I could only get a little wrench on, which limited a lot the torq I could appy to it.
My lock washers been on my car for 3 months already, I am pushing 374 rwhp, which is less than you but still a respectable number . Unless you give me some data, like Stress Life Diagram (S-N Diagram usually log-log plot) for endurance where it shows after a certain amount of cycles lock washers give up, I find it hard to believe your statement
However, like your name implies and signature clarifies, you have a forced induction car; you are pushing more exhaust than NA cars, and stresses are higher on bolts as well.

 

I think I had jethot bolts, and they were crap. It looks like breslins work well, but my alternative 3/8-16 in 1" length, grade 8 allan headed bolts with locking washers, which you can get in almost any hardware store for less than $10 works well too. Very easy access, can torq them down as much as you want, and in 3 months they have't loosen up a bit

I guess I have a strong believe in my bolts

 

I have used Jet Hots, Stage 8's, Grade 8 allen bolts, and Grade 8 hex bolts, all with lock washers. Which actually lose their spring tension due to heat cycles of the engine. All of them are dog ****.

All I can say is Breslin has always held up for me, best damn bolt on the market.

 

I also have used breslins and they are as tight as the day I set the middle peice. They are a great header bolt.

-Dustin-

 

No one wants to back me up on using 3/8-16 in 1" length, grade 8 allan headed bolts with locking washers

 

i think you got you answer, more than one person has said the lock washers WILL lose thier "spring" and I do believe them as the lock washers were not intended nor designed to take that kind of heat cycling. On regular exhaust downstream,....you can get away with it,....right up on the heads,....id be willing to bet you're headed for failure within the year. Let us know when you're wrong,....for your sake, i hope your not and they hold up,.....but physics will prove otherwise im sure.

 

I designed couple bolts by myself before I am an engineer. Took 3 advanced courses in material science In Aerospace department in my graduate studies, one of them was fatigue related. Done/seen some lab testing on fatigue as well. My gut feeling tells me my 3/8-16 in 1" length, grade 8 Allan headed bolts with locking washers will hold up, its been 3 months already, and I double checked the bolts today for tightness, all of them were tight . I will definitely let you guys know if I have any troubles with my setup and I will admit I was wrong. But till then, I will suggest my setup

If everything goes well, I might as well bag 12 bolts and 12 washers and sell them as a combo on ebay for $15

 

I dont care if your a freaking rocket scientist. Heat makes metal soft, why do springs on a car's suspension start to sag? Because heat builds up during use which changes the structure of the metal, with the weight on the spring, coupled with the heat creates sag over time.

The problem is amplified on a 1xxxxºF exhaust system.

I'm sure your a very smart person, however, real world testing on two of my F-bodies has resulted in lock washers and bolts = 0/4, Breslins 1/1.

 

You can lead them to water, but you can't make them drink! <Office Space mode> If you're happy with the minimum pieces of flair...well, then...ok.

If you really want to prove/disprove the washer theory to yourself, back all the bolts off a full turn and then tighten them back down again. See if they've lost their spring...but before you do that, you might want to order some Breslins just in case.

Again, we're in violent agreement for the most part...not all applications require them, and not everyone is willing to pony up the $. Also, like I said, I tried the bolt/split washer route and 2 gaskets later I upgraded. If I'd of spent the $50 to begin with, it'd of been cheaper.

The original poster was asking if a particular locking setup would work, and IMHO based on direct experience with all the types being discussed, it'd be a mistake to go with it versus what's known and proven. End of story...

 

dang this is crazy! all of this for some locking heater bolts, well i think i'm going to go with the ones that trans9_5am told me about.
thanks for everyones help,
cw...

 

Way to go, youll enjoy the breslins.

-Dustin-

 

I dont see the humor?

 

i did not as well..........

what is so funny????

 

After this long thread I think everyone would expect you to know the name of the bolts in question. They are Breslin's and evidently a few think that it is funny you just said the ones such and such said. It was a good effort at a joke.

-Dustin-

 

LOL...I thought the funny part was, the original question asked if he should go with Stage 8's, but the very first reply, said to go with Breslin's instead. The rest of us went back and forth, and now he's gonna go with the original recommendation.