Question about motor Work

[rocksteady_racer]

I was going to build up my block a little bit before installing it.
I have a SR20DET Redtop sitting in my garage waiting to be built and installed.
I have a few questions about motor work though...

Oil Pan: I was thinking about either a greddy oil pan or the ARC one. What is the differences between the two? What exactly does a baffle do?

Metal Head Gaskets: Why does Greddy have a 1.2mm, 1.6mm, and 2.0mm one? Which one should I get if I'm going to be running under 500hp? Are there any cheaper ones besides greddy that are just as effective?
How exactly do you go about grinding the head down before installing the head gasket? Is it possible to do yourself in your home garage?

Next question: Arp studs: How hard are they to install?

Next Question: What brand rocker arm stoppers does everyone recommend?
I was thinking about getting HKS ones but again haven't heard much about quality.

Last Question: Valve Springs, what brand does everyone recommend? I was thinking JWT but I'm not too sure.

Thanks in advance for you replies.

[McRussellPants]

Greddy Head gaskets are terrible.

Apex/Tomei/PE 1.2mm should be the ticket, .8 if you have a good tuner.

ARC oilpans are ass, nearly unbaffled. Tomei or Greddy.

ARP studs are easy as hell.

RAS are all the same.

Valvesprings are all about the same, I'd use Toda, Tomei or Jun.

[mjjstang]

My opinion is the greddy is a fine oil pan, very beefy and quality. The baffles keep the oil towards the middle, (where the pickup is) when "drifting" or cornering, when you turn hard to one side, one baffel will tend to open, while the other one closes to allow the oil to pool towards the middle. it is a nice little feature. as well as the extra quart.
COMETIC COMETIC COMETIC, don't even look at greddy gaskets, Cometic are around 80 bux for a metal and people love them. if you got the cash go with apexi. however I would still pick cometic even if i had the cash for apexi.

Arp studs are not hard to install, they install hand tight, the key is to use the provided lubricant and to torque them to EXACT specifications provided by apc and not your FSM specs.

As far as I'm concerned a RAS is a RAS I have a greddy but there are many others available.

Valve springs, If I recall I was looking at the HKS springs. however There is an article or post floating around about a guy who tested every type. I think the key is to get the upgraded HKS and not the standard HKS since they were almost to factory nissan specs. (not much of an upgrade)

As far as milling the block or head, if you blew a HG then you probably want to get them milled and then get a thicker gasket. Unless you want higher compression. you can get them checked with a straightedge too. even then though, a Metal HG needs VERY flat surfaces so it might be a good idea anyhow to get the surfaces milled, again Cometic can make different sizes. give them a call, their techs are very friendly and honest.