Junkyard 5.9L Magnum + Edelbrock LA heads build

Yes, Mitsu 4 cylinder auto engines have been pretty much all been AL heads since some time in the 60's. Check out the 4G54 turbo engines.

FWIW, we used Cometics on my son's 340 because we wanted an exact thickness at .045" for a specific quench gap. So that is another reason.

But it sounds like your shop just uses them as a matter of course, because of the HP levels. If you determine the head gasket type, then the result of that choice is on you, IMHO; you always seem ready and willing to be responsible for your results.

Head studs take higher clamp loads and are more rigid, so should clamp better so that helps with gaskets slippage and blowout.... not sure it makes the distortion of the block around the bolt holes worse or not.