ecetim

Considering adding a fiberglass hood (probably ram air) to the car listed under my name. I would get a bolt-on hood to ensure it can only be opened from inside the car, but what about hood pins?

• Searching here with all the threads about fiberglass hoods shaking at high speeds makes me think they are necessary. True? I also wouldn't mind the look.
• The other thing is one mfr of hoods told me that I would need to replace the factory hood spring with a lighter tension one, is that true?
• I can still use factory hood struts right?

TY!

EDIT I answered some of my own questions. I'll most likely be purchasing the hood from RamAirHoods.com. Called them, the guy said their hoods don't shake at all so hood pins aren't necessary. He also said factory mounting hardware will work on their hoods just fine. I could see the use of a lighter tension spring being necessary, opinions? Also I would still like opinions on the hood pins in general!
What is involved with installing hood pins? DIY or should I just let my body shop guy do it? I'd assume he shouldn't charge much/anything to do it seeing as he's mounting the hood anyway

krisb410

iTrader: (9)

They make different hood struts, which are lower pressure, for fiberglass hoods. I hear that if you use the factory hood struts, they will crack the fiberglass when you close the hood. I imagine that the same applies to aftermarket fiberglass hoods.

I scored a factory 82 Z28 SMC hood from the junk yard. I called my local parts store and asked them if they had a different listing for those hoods. I asked for hood struts on a 82 Camaro. The guy said yes there was a different listing for the SMC hoods They are only @ 17 bux each. So when I get my hood painted I'll get those "lighter pressure" hood struts. I'll Probably put hood pins on too for safety reasons, and because I think they look "badass". I heard that some of the factory SMC hoods were recalled because they separated from the underhood framing.

87CIZ

iTrader: (8)

I'm gonna call bullshit on the ramairhoods.com hoods not shaking... Since I own one and it moves a whole lot. I'm waiting for the day for the corners to snap off or something. I used a set of hood struts that wouldnt hold up my steel hood and they were perfect. I'm thinking of going to hood locks instead of pins since they are more flush and still serve thier purpose.

krisb410

iTrader: (9)

I don't think hood locks looks as "aggressive" as hood pins. Jusy my

//<86TA>\\

iTrader: (14)

ive always read that any fiberglass hood should have pins at least in the front. where do you get these low pressure gas struts? thats new to me and i could use a pair

ecetim

Now this is what I need to here! Do you have the factory locking mechanism as well? The hood pins didn't help? What about hood locks?
Any stress fractures or whatever from the hood shaking?

krisb410

iTrader: (9)

If you read my whole post, you would have seen

You might have to try a couple different stores, I took me three calls to different stores before a local store could get them.

EDIT:
Took me 5 minutes to find this link. I did a search here on TGO and found it.
Fiberglass Hood Struts

Some of you guys are really lazy

//<86TA>\\

iTrader: (14)

sorry i was just checking the thread and saw the bit about the lighter hood struts didnt read into it to much just responded sorry... thanks though

Frank89IROC

I think it depends on the quality of the hood, I have an "American Racing Designs" cowl induction hood on my 94 Trans AM, no pins no shake, with the original struts. On my 89 Iroc, I have a Harwood cowl induction hood, no pins, no shaking, using just 1 stock hood strut, no bending when closing hood & holds hood up fine. Both cars have done 90 plus MPH with these hoods. Since a cowl induction hood forces the air up & over the hood, this probably is the reason they don't shake. A ram air hood has air deflecting off the front causing the hood to shake at high speed.

r88camaro

hi, can anyone give me the measurement for putting the iroc door decals on i need the distance from the front were door meets fender back to the i in iroc and from bottom of door to the under neath side of the decal this is for an 88 thanks alot!!

Willie

iTrader: (1)

Fiberglass Camaro hoods tend to want to lift on the corners. That's because of the high pressure area that's created at speed in the headlamp pockets. You'll notice the hood itself borders the area on the top, where all the wind wants to push it up.

I've had my fiberglass hood for about five years and have survived without pins. But I'm getting nervous that something "bad" might happen on the track where I should be seeing 120+ mph. I really don't like the looks of hood pins on third gens so I came up with my own design of fastening the corners.

krisb410

iTrader: (9)

Let's see it

ecetim

IROCZman15

iTrader: (25)

yea man, can we see ur design?

i have a Glasstek 2/5 inch fiberglass colw hood, and i liek it, i do notice that it riases up when im on the highway... asi can see daylight when i look thru the hood over the engine, towards the pass.lights, and see daylgiht, so the headlight pockets sure do cause the hood to lift there

id leikt o do hood pins, locks, or another emthod, jsut so i dont loose my expensive hood on the highway.or track.,..

wille can u show us ur method of holding it down?

jester_587

Hey guys, I am also in the market for a Fiberglass hood, I like the Big Block, or Stinger as it is also called. I thought that Id throw in my 2 cents about the hood shaking around. It is defeniatly caused by the headlight pockets. I was staitioned in Germany for 5 years and had my 89 Camaro over there on the AutoBahn. at 130mph + my hood was wiggling all over the place, but stayed on!!! The headlight covers did wonders for that little aerodynamic problem but you cannot use the stupid stick on attachment hardware because they will fly off at 80mph. You must custom make metal brackets and drill holes in your nose cone headlight pockets. If its done right like I did it, it looks great! However I want to move to a lighter more aggressive hood for my 86 Iroc-Z. I have already built my headlight covers and installed them, now I just need the lighter hood. After 90mph the steel hoods will start to wiggle without those pocket covers. I used to drive to work every morning on the Autobahn since I lived off post. Every time I was on the Autobahn I exceeded 130mph. Became like I was driving 75 here back in the states. However it is discouraging when at 130+ you still get passed by a diesel station wagon