OEM Hood and Hood Pins question

[GhostSpooLrTK]

I tried searching and couldnt find a post that covered it and Im not sure which forum to put it under.......

anyways, My hood latch no longer works with my FMIC installed, so Im wondering if its possible to get hood pins and use them on a OEM stock hood? Ive looked into the mounting positions, Im just not sure if hood pins will keep a OEM hood closed or not? Anyone done this?

Any help would be great because a body shop is trying to ream my ass on the radiotor support bracket (500 in parts not counting labor hours)

 

[keithlag]

It works on my car had them for years

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[GhostSpooLrTK]

Do you have a latch AND hood pins or just pins?

 

[keithlag]

I have a latch but there is no need for it i just left it on so the thieves here in the uk can`t get in

 

[MITSUMURDOK]

I have had a couple of cars with hood pins on a stock hood without a latch and they were fine. One was a 72 Mustang and those hoods are huge in comparison to a DSM hood and it had ram air inlets and never had a problem. Just make sure you install them properly---really nothing to it. I just put a set in my buddies honduh and it took no time at all. I mounted the pins and then put a dab of paint on them, closed the hood, and then drilled where the paint marks were. If you have any questions feel free to PM me.

 

[GhostSpooLrTK]

See thats what i thought, i figured that if you installed the pins right the hood would sit secure, but this body shop was like "well your latch isnt whats bad, its your radiator support its gone so the latch just gets pushed down it doesnt close, its gonna be like 500 in parts to fix it and im showing it as a 7hour labor job"

and i was like "ok #### that just put hood pins on it" and they were like "you cant do that, you still need the support
(they want me to get a new piece that the latch bolts onto, not the entire upper support)

and i was like "i know multiple people with this exact car who have it and no latch, this isnt an issue" and then he finally caved and was all "Well you still need a latch cause without it the hood will bang up and down like crazy, pins are just a secondary man"

 

[1990AWD]

...and I was like, "do the work yourself and save a shitload of money".

 

[DSM_love_GST]

Pics of inside your bay, you might be able to locate the pins somewhere off to the side or something.

 

[Boostinsideways]

I would get a set of the locking hood pin things. They look a bit different, but if your hood latch doesnt work it would really suck to have some one walk up and pull the pins and start snatching shit. Had a buddy of mine get half of his top end stolen one night after he installed a cf hood and hood pins.

 

[ClipseAPG]

Do you have a rusted radiator support/front end or is it crushed or cut up? A structurally sound rad support/front end can certainly accommodate you just drilling and setting the hood pins into it, drilling through the hood, closing it tying the pins and done. It sounds that this mechanic guy is questioning the integrity of the front end though. Pictures would help. And replacing that latch absolutely would not take 7 hours.

 

[Bud92gsx]

See thats what i thought, i figured that if you installed the pins right the hood would sit secure, but this body shop was like "well your latch isnt whats bad, its your radiator support its gone so the latch just gets pushed down it doesnt close, its gonna be like 500 in parts to fix it and im showing it as a 7hour labor job"

and i was like "ok #### that just put hood pins on it" and they were like "you cant do that, you still need the support
(they want me to get a new piece that the latch bolts onto, not the entire upper support)

and i was like "i know multiple people with this exact car who have it and no latch, this isnt an issue" and then he finally caved and was all "Well you still need a latch cause without it the hood will bang up and down like crazy, pins are just a secondary man"

I used vaseline, and then drilled out the holes..But paint would work as well...Took about an hour to install hood and install hood pins..

 

[tkrPerformance]

I just have pins on my car with no stock latch. even cut the lock off the hood so I could fit the griffin radiator on the core support on the evo. It has been like it for years

 

[TSiAWD666]

I would strongly suggest Aerocatch locking plus flush hood latches. I used them on my car when it had a oem-like carbon fiber hood, and am using them still on my fiberglass hood.

<img src="http://www.dsmtuners.com/gallery/files/2/0/6/0/0/fender_flares_daylight_1.jpg" alt="Fender Flares On My 99 Gsx" />

I had my latch removed since it served no purpose.

 

[dsmmack]

Also agree with the Aerocatch latches. I've got a set, Mine have the locks on them so I don't have to worry about leaving the car parked. I don't have a hood latch anymore due to the FMIC as well.

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[1990AWD]

That's looks really good, any pics of where they're mounted underneath?

 

[dsmmack]

That's looks really good, any pics of where they're mounted underneath?

Thanks, Mounted the pins just behind the headlamps, right beside the rubber hood bumpers. Pic from when I first drilled the holes:

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Press the side lock button (note the actual lock, you can get them with or without the lock):

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Flip to unlatch:

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Love these latches. Pricey compared to regular pins but well worth it I think.

 

[PrimerPLus]

An older post I know but I was just looking around, I like these Aerocatch Locking ones. Are you using the top mounted or bottom mount. Also Where can you get these? I see them on ebay.

 

[TSiAWD666]

You should use the plus flush aerocatch which mount on top of the hood. They just look a lot cleaner. It's really really hard to make the cuts perfect for the underside ones to look nice.

The cheapest place I know of to get them is actually in the UK:
Aerocatch Plus Flush Locking Bonnet Pins | 120-2100 | Merlin Motorsport

Make sure to pick up the backing plates for them as they'll make the job a lot easier:
Aerocatch Fixing Nut Plate | 120-8000 | Merlin Motorsport

 

[DSM_love_GST]

Just ordered a set! I hope they get here before I take her to paint!

 

[PrimerPLus]

Hey dsm, where did you order them from? I am not sure if you used TsiAWD link.