Topspeed

I have seen this done on camaros but not on firebirds, so I decided to design a hinge to do it.

Click on the link for video

http://s1196.photobucket.com/user/to...ml?sort=3&o=96

BigKeg

That's cool ...did you use the hood hinges from a Buick..??? I have seen this done with factory Camaro hoods... But I have a fiberglass hood with a 4in cowl...and I dont know if I can do that ....

prossi

that is cool id rock that on my GTA

Topspeed

Nope... can't use the buick ones because of the lights. I completely fabricated my own from metal stock and used the original actuators also. The hood is a metal one and not a fiberglass one. Looking into getting them made for a kit to purchase.

88gunmetalgta

iTrader: (1)

I have seen this done on a 'bird. However, I don't think I've seen one that operates as smoothly (or maybe you've just practiced a little to make it look smooth).

I'd like to see the hinges.

Topspeed

It is as easy as it looks - no practice. the actuators do all the work. I will post pictures of the hinges soon. I'm looking for a metal shop to fab up a few kits.

anesthes

iTrader: (12)

Great job!

I must say, this is one of the things I hated the most about owning a Corvette (not being able to work IN FRONT of the engine), but it is cool.

-- Joe

iansane

iTrader: (1)

I like! I've always wanted a suicide hood on my bird. Where do the hinges mount?

Topspeed

I made the hood very easy to remove if I need to work on the front of the motor. The way it is now I have more room to work under the hood then you do with the stock hinges. Just pull out four bolts and pull off the hood. No need for realignment when putting it back on either.

anesthes

iTrader: (12)

Nice. Wish I could see it in person.

-- Joe

ghettocruiser

iTrader: (4)

Dude... That looks great! If it looks as good under the hood as it seems to work, you did a fantastic job! Not sure if its something I would do...but this is the best Ive seen it done on a bird and would be a convincing argument for me to do it!

In for more pics!

J.

Topspeed

The hinges mount between the front nose and the radiator support. I will post more pictures later of the hinges.

Topspeed

Thanks... they look just as good under the hood

johnboy z

Nice. i would like to know how it all works. i would love a pair

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

I bet C5/C6 hood hinges and latches would be a great start to this idea. I like how it pops up and forward, nifty!

iansane

iTrader: (1)

I don't know about c5 hinges but c6 hinges mount down off the front frame rails. They're really long and tall. May be hard to mount on thirdgen frame horns?

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

The c5/6 frame rails are only a few inches away from the bottom of the hoods in the front, IIRC.

Restrorob

iTrader: (7)

Hello Topspeed,

That looks like a sweet mod, I'm wondering what you have on the cowl to hold the back of the hood down ?

Did you actually try modifying a Buick hinge assembly ?

I did the Buick hinge on my 74 C10 and 97 GMC, I used the factory truck hinges (modified) for cowl latches with fabbed up gliders.

Topspeed

Those hinges were too long for where I mounted them and I didn't want to cut any part of the engine compartment or radiator support out. I looked at the buick hinges as well as some late '80 BMW hinges and they weren't going to work like I wanted them to. So I fab'd my own. To hold down the rear of the hood I'm using a set of flush mounted hood pins. I haven't installed them yet.

Slash

Good luck finding somebody in the area to put those in for you man.. I'm from Albany.. And have been trying since June to get my AutoCatch Hood Latches installed.. No place wants to attempt it and risk damaging my fiberglass hood. Even custom bodyshops( Like Capital Region Customs) don't want to touch it.

Topspeed

I'm going to be putting them in myself. Not that tough of a job. I'm looking for a metal shop to manufacture more sets of hinges.

BlackenedBird

iTrader: (5)

Can we see a pic of the hinges & where they mount?

WyoJames

Agreed with the requests for more pics...and lots of them
Weird request, but any chance of getting a video of the hood closing?

ericjon262

damn man! good job, this looks great!

Topspeed

The hood is out having a custom scoop welded on. When it comes back and I have it all together I will post pics.

evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

i really like this

WyoJames

Awesome. I will eagerly await and make all sorts of wild blue prints in my head!

Mailman818

That looks super BA!! id be down for a set if the price was right. and if you said its easy to mount and no need for aligning when i remove it.. let us know how the thing comes along. just so we know about how much in material did you spend?

speedpower09

iTrader: (1)

Looks Great depending on price put me down for a set

Mirror Image

iTrader: (2)

Im down for a set Im blowing my car apart this winter it would nice to have a set before then

Street Lethal

iTrader: (16)

Whoa, sweet! Put me down for a set when you start fabricating them to sell...

Richboll

That's pretty cool! Will it work on Camaros too?

richkar87bird

Can you take pictures of the hinge?

Topspeed

They will only work on firebirds. Pictures will be up soon

richkar87bird

Awesome.

86black&gold

I would be interested in as set if they aren't ridiculously exspensive, I absolutely love the suicide hood.

Mirror Image

iTrader: (2)

Are they available yet and what do you think the pricing will be ?

88fastgta

iTrader: (9)

interesting... but i have a fiberglass cowl hood so i might be out of luck...

Topspeed

Still working on the manufacturing. It took awhile to perfect the first pair and trying to find someone to duplucate it is tough. I will let everyone know when they are done. As far as the price it all depends on how much they cost me to make.

Topspeed

I have decided not to manufacture these hinges because there isn't an easy way to make these just a bolt on application. So I decided to post some pictures for you guys. Ignore the blue tape that is all over the place. Just trying not to scratch the new paint in that area.

Nunazet

iTrader: (1)

Totally Amazing!

ibmtech

iTrader: (1)

Hopefully if I get the chance in the near future, I can see the car. I occasionally goto Rudy Chase Drive for the Army there.

Topspeed

The car should be done by spring from a total restore. Going to paint next week. Here is the thread on the restore.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/hist...ebird-s-e.html

Topspeed

I'm not even a mile from there.

Jersey89GTA

iTrader: (1)

Nice, I want it, love to see finish of your paint job. Nice.
Thanks for sharing.

Doesnt look hard to make, I like the hood locks too.

19911LECAMARO

Nice!!

2007xl50

Very cool mod and seems well made.

MY87T/A

I wonder how you could make it work on a camaro? Seems possible but maybe not that easy.

Topspeed

I'm not quite sure how that would work. I don't own a camaro to check but I do know that the geometry if different on camaros and firebirds from the radiator support forward. Not to mention that on firebirds there is a metal plate to mount these on and the camaro has a plastic one.

MY87T/A

Ya it would have to mounted differently, but I've seen firebirds that have a full camaro front end installed and vice versa. So I wonder if it could be done. We have some firebirds and 2 camaros here. It might be an idea to look at both and see. I own a first gen mazda rx7 and it has the same reverse hood, and it makes engine work so much easier.