I've put a few together with cometics and stock head bolts. I even spoke with cometic on the phone and they never said I couldn't use the stock head bolts..and they knew I was.
Dont get me wrong about the 4 bolts, but its played out chevy guy jab nowadays.
Better gaskets and more knowledge about where to start with tune.
He is at 11.1, then figure the camshafts role in determining the actual dynamic/effective.
I gave my cents already, I wouldn't bother with studs . Illinois has better gas than I do in California, so that should speak for itself.
If he wants bulletproof sure go studs, cometics, bottom end studs, main girdle, o ring it..the works..in fact the block could be the weak link..better sonic test every hole 6 ways to sunday..cause they're know for deep pock cavities water jacket side...then that rear lifter bore at no.7.. that thing might break, according to chevy lovers...so buy an R block now.
Joking aside. .
Do whatever you want, it's not always as complex as you might think it should be.