WARNING: For CF Hood Owners

[Joe_Black]

If you're running a CF hood be sure to have proper hood pins installed and use them. A WRX owner who has competed at the rallycross recently had his CF hood latch fail at 70 MPH. Other than glass in his eyes (ouch!) there weren't any injuries, but the WRX suffered some nasty body damage.

Take a look then get some good pins: CF Hood Latch Failure.

Don't gamble. Cosmetic CF hoods are mostly fiberglass and the fabricators are just bolting the latch into inserts set in resin or just tapped filler. With heat and vibration it's just a matter of time before possible failure. Besides, hood pins look cool! :bgwg:

[mbeach]

I've seen this happen before too. Not pretty, and removes all of the cool points said WRX owner earned by buying that CF hood in the first place.

As a (former) WRX driver, all I have to say is that the stock aluminum hood is still lighter than any carbon hood on the market.

[Hotsauce]

If you're running a CF hood be sure to have proper hood pins installed and use them. A WRX owner who has competed at the rallycross recently had his CF hood latch fail at 70 MPH. Other than glass in his eyes (ouch!) there weren't any injuries, but the WRX suffered some nasty body damage.

He should never have passed tech without hood pins.

John C.

[Joe_Black]

He should never have passed tech without hood pins.

John C.

Not required for rallycross, only street-prep and a DOT helmet are required as it's entry level. The failure, however, happened on normal highway driving. It would've been a lot better for him and the car had it happened at a rallycross though, as the speeds are kept at 45 MPH or less by a technical course.

[WormGod]

Well, not very smart on his part. With the light weight of the hood, hood pins are a MUST. He races, he should have known that.

I have been looking around the market for some good hood pins for when i put this C/F hood on, but have turned up more confused than when I started. There is such a thing as a "universal" hood pin assembly, but I recall trying a pair on a '70 Nova drag racer we set up years ago. They didn't work on that. If something pops up though, I will be sure to share.

[Joe_Black]

Most hood pins are universal and pretty much idiot-proof for installation. Check here for a good set that I've had some experience with: Captive Hood Pins.


You can mount them just at the leading edge for additional retention, or use four at the corners by ditching the stock hinges and hood latch for a completely removable hood. I did that with one of my competition Fiat Spiders and found it to be a real pain always looking for somewhere to put the hood though. Although it sure did make getting at the engine much easier!

[WormGod]

Ya, I just stated that Nova experience because it was an aftermarket cowl induction F/G hood. Installation is actually pretty easy, depending on the hood itself. The C/F hood from CF-1 worries me only because NONE of the holes are predrilled. A little grease for closure hole marking and drilling and you are pretty much good to go though.

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

I don't have a clue if these are any good or not but came across them @ J.C. Whitney while searching for something else.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/P...odelId-1001150

[VCrossfan]

I had that pin style also and got tired of mis-placing the pins. I later used plastic coated cables on the pins to keep them around alittle longer but didn't like the pins hanging (kids thought they were play things) Here's another style you might try. I had them on my Pro Street car and I liked them due to no pins to lose One thing I did, I used larger dia. washers on the hood surface. I had a Blown Big Block and used 4 pins (1 each corner) because my hood lifted straight up/off. They worked well, slide fwd/bck...






http://www.behrents.com/Merchant2/4...._Code=MOR39010

[WormGod]

Most hood pins are universal and pretty much idiot-proof for installation. Check here for a good set that I've had some experience with: Captive Hood Pins.


You can mount them just at the leading edge for additional retention, or use four at the corners by ditching the stock hinges and hood latch for a completely removable hood. I did that with one of my competition Fiat Spiders and found it to be a real pain always looking for somewhere to put the hood though. Although it sure did make getting at the engine much easier!

Getting set to do this C/F hood and looked into these pins. I'll be damned if I cant find anything but Redf or Blue ones though. Anyone happen to know where I can nab these in black or silver? My hunt continues.

[Joe_Black]

Great place to get race parts: Pegasus Auto Racing Supplies

[TDAWG]

I picked-up a set of the locking hood pins at pep boys. They are in the performance section. I installed them on a friends Lancer that he races and so far so good.

[WormGod]

Thanks Joe, just ordered a set. Hope to have this bad boy all set up within a couple of weeks. I am getting REALLY antsy.

[WormGod]

Got my pins in the mail today. Very solid design and quite good looking. A little worried about how long before they begin to show rust, but I will cross that bridge when I come to it. Hopefully, this weekend or sometime this week (if work allows), I am gonna start drilling the holes for the insert mounts, hood pins, and scoop induction and then get it mounted on the VX. I am SO looking forward to it now.

[MZ-N10]

hte pins shouldnt rust...arent they coated with some rust proof coatin? or aluminum?
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OldBustyMilf