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What drivers say about XOTIC PERFORMANCE™
Head Stud Kit - 2002-2006 Honda/Acura RSX Civic K20A2 & K20A3
PART # SKU CP112
Verified Reviews
Original price
$116.14
-
Original price
$116.14
Original price
$116.14
$116.14
-
$116.14
Current price
$116.14
Availability:
in stock, ready to be shipped
Limited Lifetime Warranty on All Fasteners
Trusted in 30,000+ Builds
30-Day Satisfaction Guarantee
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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™ CP112 head stud kit for the 2002–2006 Honda/Acura K20A2 and K20A3 — RSX, RSX Type-S, and Civic Si applications. Prefer a printable copy? Download the PDF manual.
Two washers go on before the head does. Because of clearance on the K20 head, the washers for torque sequence positions 8 and 10 must be placed on the cylinder head before it's lowered onto the block. Miss this and you'll be pulling the head back off. The remaining eight washers install normally afterward.
Why the K20 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 the K20 is one of the most boosted four-cylinders on the planet — turbo kits, superchargers, and K-swaps into everything — and forced induction creates higher cylinder pressures lower in the RPM range than the factory clamping setup was designed for. When the clamping force securing the gasket, head, and block is no longer sufficient, the result is a blown head gasket. Factory torque-to-yield bolts are also single-use — once the head comes off, they're done.
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 all 10 studs.
What's in the CP112 kit
- 10 × head studs (XOTIC 7200 alloy)
- 10 × hardened parallel washers
- 10 × nuts
- 1 × socket
- 1 × allen wrench
- 1 × fastener assembly lubricant
Before you start: verify first
Confirm that part number CP112 is compatible with your application (2002–2006 Honda/Acura K20A2 or K20A3) 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 a Honda K20
- Clean the block threads. Clean the threads in the block prior to installing the head studs to ensure accurate fitment and precise torque readings. A dedicated M11 x 1.50 thread chaser (CS320) makes this fast and protects the threads.
- 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.
- Pre-place washers 8 and 10. Due to clearance, set the washers for sequence positions 8 and 10 (see the manual's diagram) onto the cylinder head before placing the head on the block. The remaining washers go on after the head is positioned.
- 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.
- Washers and lubricant. Place the remaining washers onto the head 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.
Honda K20 head stud torque specs
| Stage | Torque |
|---|---|
| 1 | 28 ft-lbs |
| 2 | 56 ft-lbs |
| 3 (final) | 85 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 K20 head studs?
Three stages, in the numbered sequence: 28 ft-lbs, then 56 ft-lbs, then a final pass at 85 ft-lbs.
Which engines does the CP112 kit fit?
The 2002–2006 Honda/Acura K20A2 and K20A3 — RSX, RSX Type-S, and Civic Si. Verify your engine code before ordering; other K-series variants may differ.
Why do two washers go on before the head?
Clearance. On the K20 head, the washers for sequence positions 8 and 10 can't be dropped into place once the head is on the block, so they're set on the head first. It's the one step on this install that can't be undone without lifting the head again.
What size thread chaser do I need?
M11 x 1.50 — the CS320 chaser.
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: 2025.05.27 (web edition 2026.08).
PACKAGE CONTENTS
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