What are you guys using for your fiberglass hoods? Lets face it, these things are cheap and one bad open could be a nightmare. The hood i use is a SS hood and when i got it i paid extra for the low pressure shocks and good hinges. Well the hinges don't open smoothly and the shocks say high pressure gas right on them so I would have to say they are the incorrect setup for the job. Whats the best setup to prevent a crack from it opening wrong.

stock hinges are best as long as they dont have play.i scored a set of low pressure supports out of a local yard.just to be sure i dont let anyone open my hood.

Have you take a look at the struts for the 82-83 composite (fiberglass?) hood? That is what I have on my 82 with the composite hood. It states "High Pressure" right on the strut.

I think all the hood struts may be "High Pressure". However the strut is rated based on the hood material (and the weight it must counterbalance and lift), and those rated for a steel hood will exert more force when opening the hood.

Try searching at Advance, or AutoZone or one of the other vendors for an 82 Camaro, with a V8 engine, engine code "7". Make sure the part description is for a fiberglass hood rather than a steel hood.

Dave

Excellent advise! Anyone know if you can get hinges for that model still?

salvage yard...CHEAP!

I've bought a couple sets of 82 hood struts since I've owned the car. Last set came from NAPA, first one was Car Quest. They work perfect and keep the hood off your head.

I have 3 sets of hinges all of them are no good. Theres just somthing about salvage hinges and a $400 fiberglass hood that doesnt feel right. Im gonna try napa.

Do you remember how much?

classic industries #14064293 for left, 14064294 for right brand spanking new
69.95 each

well yah,if you buy worn out hinges from a yard your making a bad move...but there are plenty of "good"hinges at salvage yards.i would go with used origionals before i would use aftermarket jap s**t!your hood=your call?

The struts for my stock steel hood worked just fine on the ASCD hood. They weren't old and weak either because they easily hold up the steel hood that's on it now.

I bought a new set for my cervini hood from orielly's auto parts. I requested the ones for the fiberglass hoods ie. 83 z28. They only listed one part # for all 82-92 hoods. Way too stiff for my liking. I also tried the dealership and they don't have them anymore. I found a gm set on another board still in the package for $25 shipped. They definitely make a difference.

You can always drill a very small hole and release the gas from each one then drill a hole in the piston rod and insert a hair pin when you open the hood