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What drivers say about XOTIC PERFORMANCE™
Head Stud Kit 2017-2025 For 6.6L L5P Chevrolet GMC Duramax
PART # SKU CP881
Verified Reviews
Original price
$399.17
-
Original price
$399.17
Original price
$399.17
$399.17
-
$399.17
Current price
$399.17
Availability:
in stock, ready to be shipped
Limited Lifetime Warranty on All Fasteners
Trusted in 30,000+ Builds
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Seal the Power. Drive with Confidence.
Your truck deserves strength you can count on. This head stud kit is built for street-driven and moderately modified builds, giving you dependable sealing and confidence whether you’re daily driving, towing, or adding small performance upgrades.
Why Drivers Choose XOTIC PERFORMANCE™
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Everyday Confidence – Keeps your head gasket sealed during normal use and light performance mods.
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Trusted Reliability – Prevents common sealing issues so you can focus on the road, not repairs.
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All-In-One Kit – Includes studs, washers, and nuts, for a secure, hassle-free install.
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Durability That Lasts – Precision-machined and finished to resist wear and corrosion.
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Limited Lifetime Warranty – Backed by XOTIC PERFORMANCE™ for total peace of mind.
Perfect for drivers who want proven reliability without going overboard — this kit is your upgrade for everyday dependability.
INSTALL GUIDE
This guide covers installation of the XOTIC PERFORMANCE™ CP881 head stud kit for the 2017–present 6.6L L5P Chevrolet/GMC Duramax. It covers the three-stage torque specs for the main studs, the second-group torque for positions 19–24, and the prep steps that determine whether your head gaskets seal. Prefer a printable copy? Download the PDF manual.
Why the L5P Duramax needs head studs
Factory OEM head bolts are torque-to-yield: you torque them to a specified value, then add a final 90° rotation that stretches the bolt to its maximum point. That works at stock power levels. But when you add parts that increase horsepower — a turbocharger, injectors, a tuner — you create higher cylinder pressures lower in your RPM range, and the clamping force securing the gasket, head, and block is no longer sufficient. The result: a blown head gasket.
Head studs are engineered to resist stretching. XOTIC PERFORMANCE™ head studs are manufactured from our premium XOTIC 7200 steel alloy, superior in tensile strength to any bolt, and backed by a lifetime warranty. The key to getting that strength into your engine is accurate preload — the tensile force generated when a fastener is tightened, creating clamp force in the joint. Everything in this guide is in service of achieving equal, accurate preload across the joint.
What's in the CP881 kit
- 36 × head studs (XOTIC 7200 alloy)
- 36 × hardened parallel washers
- 36 × nuts
- 12 × rocker arm bolts
- 2 × sockets
- 1 × allen wrench
- 1 × fastener assembly lubricant
Before you start: verify first
Confirm that part number CP881 is compatible with your application (2017–present 6.6L L5P Duramax) before installing any components. Inspect all package contents and clean as necessary to ensure accurate installation. Report any obvious defects or shipping damage to us before proceeding.
How to install head studs on an L5P Duramax
- Clean the block threads. Clean the threads in the block prior to installing the head studs to ensure accurate fitment and precise torque readings. Dedicated thread chasers make this fast and protect the threads: M12 x 1.5 (CS303) and M8 x 1.25 (CS317).
- Install the studs hand-tight. Thread the head studs into the block by hand until snug. Do not apply torque.
- Check stud height with a straightedge. Use a straightedge ruler to measure the distance from the mating surface (deck or main cap) to the top of each installed stud. Ensure all studs of the same length group sit level with each other (within 1 mm / 0.040”). Uneven height may indicate debris or incorrect thread engagement. Properly installed studs will bottom out smoothly and show uniform height across all positions. If a stud appears higher or lower than the others, remove it, re-clean the hole, and reinstall by hand. Do not use tools to force studs deeper. Incorrect stud seating can cause off-angle stress, uneven preload, or stud fracture during engine operation.
- Set the gasket and head. Install the head gasket and cylinder head, ensuring proper alignment.
- Clean the washer seating areas. Clean the washer seating surfaces on the cylinder head with a fast-evaporating solvent such as non-chlorinated brake cleaner to remove oil, grease, and contaminants. A clean surface is essential for achieving proper fastener preload.
- Lubricate. Place the washers onto the studs. Using the supplied assembly lubricant, apply a thin coat to the stud threads, the underside of the nuts, and the top side of the washers.
- Install the nuts. Thread the nuts onto the studs and hand-tighten until they make contact with the washers.
- Torque in sequence. Follow the torque stages below in the numbered sequence shown in the manual's torque sequence diagram.
L5P Duramax head stud torque specs
Positions 1–18 (three stages)
| Stage | Torque |
|---|---|
| 1 | 42 ft-lbs |
| 2 | 84 ft-lbs |
| 3 (final) | 125 ft-lbs |
Positions 19–24
Torque nuts 19 through 24 to 25 ft-lbs.
A common mistake to avoid: when torquing a fastener, do not stop short of the recommended value — continue in one motion until the specified torque is achieved. If you accidentally stop short, loosen the fastener and re-torque. Stopping short and "topping up" produces unequal preload distribution across the studs and risks joint failure.
Frequently asked questions
What are the torque specs for L5P Duramax head studs?
Positions 1–18: three stages — 42 ft-lbs, then 84 ft-lbs, then a final pass at 125 ft-lbs, in the numbered sequence. Positions 19–24: 25 ft-lbs.
Which trucks does the CP881 kit fit?
2017–present Chevrolet and GMC trucks with the 6.6L L5P Duramax.
Does the CP881 kit fit earlier Duramax engines?
No — the L5P uses different hardware than the 2001–2016 engines. For LB7, LLY, LBZ, LMM, and LML applications, use the CP877 kit (guide linked below).
What size thread chaser do I need for an L5P head stud install?
The manual references CS303 (M12 x 1.5) and CS317 (M8 x 1.25) — both available in our catalog.
Related install guides
Running a 2001–2016 Duramax? See our 6.6L Duramax head stud installation guide (CP877) for LB7 through LML.
Need help?
For technical support, email support@xotic-performance.com. All XOTIC PERFORMANCE™ fasteners are covered by our limited lifetime warranty. Finished your install? Tag #XOTICPERFORMANCE on Instagram for a chance to be featured.
© 2026 XOTIC PERFORMANCE™. This installation guide is an original copyrighted work of XOTIC PERFORMANCE™. Reproduction, distribution, or use of this content in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Doc ref: 2025.05.20 (web edition 2026.08).
PACKAGE CONTENTS
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