M52TU/M54 12mm Head Stud & Gasket Kit

SLG 12mm Head Stud Conversion Kit for BMW M52TU/M54 Engines

The ultimate head clamping solution for the aluminum block M52TU and M54 engines. At high power levels, the factory 10mm head bolt/stud setup can become a limiting factor. On our own time-attack car, we ran into head lift during track sessions where the engine was exposed to high cylinder pressure, high coolant temps, and extended abuse. Even upgraded 10mm studs with Time-Serts were not enough for what we needed to keep the engine reliable. 

So we built a real solution.

This SLG kit converts the engine to specialty 12mm ARP 2000 head studs that are not available in any off-the-shelf kit. The larger stud provides a massive increase in clamping capability and is designed for serious high-power, high-heat, and motorsport use. The threads are also huge, so no need for any Time-Serts, these achieve the same thing. 

The kit includes a reamed Cometic head gasket in your choice of thickness, modified specifically to accept the 12mm studs. It also includes ARP 2000 head studs, specialty washers designed to fit the factory head pads, and narrow nuts that allow use of a large 14mm 12-point socket between the valve springs.

Yes, this kit is expensive — but these are special-order ARP parts, and the head gasket requires specialty machining. The benefit is that this setup does not require Time-Serts, saving the cost of the insert kit, tooling, and installation process required to properly install them.

Since moving to this 12mm stud setup, we have not had any head lift issues.

Machining Requirements:

• The cylinder head must be drilled to 12.5mm for stud clearance. No dowels used. 
• The engine block must be rethreaded and counterbored to accept the 12mm studs.
• This is a straightforward machining operation for any qualified machine shop familiar with performance engine work.

Torque Recommendation:

Our recommended final torque value is 95 ft-lbs.

Recommended torque sequence:

• 45 ft-lbs
• 75 ft-lbs
• 95 ft-lbs

In our experience, the studs can be torqued up to 110 ft-lbs if needed for extreme applications. At that point, the limiting factor becomes block distortion and water jacket cracking before the studs become the weak point. These studs mean business.

Lead Time:

Please allow approximately one week for head gasket machining.

The items installed or applied to vehicles are intended strictly for off-road use only and track vehicles. These modifications may not comply with emissions, safety, or environmental regulations required for public road use under Environmental Regulatory Agency (ERA) laws. It is the sole responsibility of the vehicle owner or operator to ensure adherence to all applicable local, state, and federal regulations. Use on public roads may result in legal penalties or vehicle impoundment. Always verify compliance with local authorities before installation.

We get a large number of custom orders and requests everyday, so as a result it is not always possible for us to keep every item in stock at all times in our warehouse. If you require the item urgently please contact our sales team here to check the stock before you make your purchase.

If you're unsure whether a part will fit your vehicle, feel free to contact us here with your inquiry. Our helpful sales team will reach out to confirm if it's the right match for you.

We offer a flat-rate shipping fee across the continental United States. This excludes Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories. For international orders, additional shipping costs will apply. Please contact us for a quote if you are outside the continental U.S.

Also, feel free to also contact us at ColoradoN5X@Gmail.Com for any other questions.

Not all items are covered by warranty. Items including warranty, will clearly state that there is warranty within the product description. Most of these items will be a standard 1-year warranty against manufacture defects. You, the customer, will be responsible for shipping and handling. We will fix/replace that item with a product that is in working condition if you meet the warranty criteria. Please note that you will be allowed ONLY 1 claim within the year for that product. ColoradoN5X is not responsible for any damage caused during the installation of our products.