You can replace steel bolts with stainless you just have to know what you are doing and/or have a supplier to order the correct parts. Stainless actually come in grades just like mild steel bolts but is way more complicated. Most places are gonna sell the cheapest 18-8 they can because people just want no rust shiny. Its easy to remember grade 3, 5, 8 but when it comes to stainless you have to factor in the alloy (18-8, 302, ect), the treating, and the forging process.
For what we do if you want stainless bolts that are equivalent to grade 8 if you can find a place demand 17-4 SS bolts. You will either have to trust the supplier or make sure they give you the paperwork proving they aint trying to pass cheaper 18-8 off on you.
For those that need numbers (like me) 17-4 is what ARP uses in their fasteners but here is the facts comparing it to grade 8 mild steel.
Carbon Steel used in Grade 8 Fasteners:
91 ksi in single shear
130 ksi tensile yield
150 ksi tensile ultimate
17-4 Stainless Bar heat treated to H1025
95 ksi single shear
145 ksi tensile yield
155 ksi tensile ultimate
Stainless is so last year, everybody knows you have to have titanium fasteners to be cool now.:hammer: They alone add 500 bench racing horsepower.
I mean look at that bargin, they are only $4+ per bolt
ut:
1/4"-20 x 1/2", Ultra-Light Hex-Flange Bolt