So my Ram is at 116K and has the famous intake gasket failure. I already have the Felpro gaskets on the shelf.

1- Is the Hughes Engines kit with the 1/4" Aluminum pan a must do or a nice to do? After all, the factory setup was good for over 100K.

2- Are the factory bolts grade 5 or grade 8? I see that Hughes kit comes with grade 8 bolts. Why do I ask? I just attended a Fastenal seminar and I was told that using torque specs meant for Grade 5 bolts on replacement grade 8 bolts is not correct because you are not getting the right clamping "strength" that you would get from bolt elongation, and should look up the correct torque spec.

IMHO,it is a "nice to do"

I have done 2 of them reusing the stock bolts/pan and dont seem to have any issues with them 2.5 yrs later.

i dont think the rest of the truck will make another 100,000 to neeed the pan re-done again.

it is a nice thick pan and it does have everything you need as a package...but if you have the stuff already..

I am going to do another one for a buddy soon and I suggested for the price and everything together at once to order one up from hughes.

thanks for the tip,I never once gave the grade 5 grade 8 torque specs a 2nd thought till now.