I was driving a few days ago on a nice open road. The wind was hitting my car from the front right side. When I got up to around 100 or 110 mph my hood actualy poped up. The strange thing is that the wind was not abnormaly strong that day and I have never had a problem like this before at such speeds. Thankfully it did no damage but it did scare the **** out of me. Now I am looking int buying a set of hood pins. My question is one do you al think they are necessary and two if so how do I install them?
1quikrex
12-03-2002, 07:52 PM
I'm guessing it's a carbon fiber hood? Well if it is then it is strongly reccommended that you use hood pins. Second question, I haven't the clue????
b_tapper
12-04-2002, 12:21 AM
I'm hoping that's a c/f hood, never heard of a stock hood doing that. You should get hood pins if it's a c/f hood.
Found these instructions, but they are for a Miata
Adding accessories to your Miata can be both frustrating and rewarding at the same time. Installing a fiberglass, or carbon fiber hood for example, will add a dramatic look and style that guarantees attention where ever you travel. But having such a hood also creates a possible safety hazard should the hood latch become weak or brittle due to extensive use and vibration. The last thing you want to see is your expensive hood flying off your car doing 70 MPH. June’s Tip of the Month deals with this problem. Hood pin installation.
There are a couple of choices for installation points and a dozen types of hood pins from which to choose. For this project I selected the chrome slider-style hood pin kit from Sparco for it’s quality finish and hardware. Before getting started you’ll need the following items.
Hood Pin Kit
Power Drill
Drill Bits
Eye Protection
Nerves and Patience
Start by securing your vehicle on a smooth surface. For hood pin placement I decided to install the pins towards the front near the side of the headlights. There are two rubber stoppers that if removed will provide an ideal mounting point. Another set of stoppers are located behind each headlight bucket. This also makes a good mounting location. Once you select your location begin by removing the stoppers. Place one nut and washer on each pin and slip the pins though the holes and secure with the bottom nuts/washers. Tighten down enough to rest the hood on the pins. With a dab of paint place a mark on the top of each pin to transfer the marks under the hood. Cover the engine bay with newspaper so the shavings can be easily cleaned up. Drill a small pilot hole first to insure the pins are aligned properly. Now drill the larger holes for both pins and lock the hood in place. Adjust both pins so that they protrude just above the hood. Once you have the pins at the proper height fasten the pin plates to the top of hood with the screws provided.
Arcanum
12-04-2002, 02:06 AM
I'm thinking an aftermarket hood also. I've done about 110mph in a head wind of around 40 mph, no hood flipping up. Will say the hood was flexing like crazy but never popped open.
/\rcanum
Actualy it is the stock hood with the stock hood scoop. And there was insane flexing but suprisingly no dammage.
Mach5WRX
12-09-2002, 12:40 AM
A have 2 questions.....
1) Why are you doing 100 MPH on a "open road"?
2) Was your hood shut all the way down?
WRXSTIle
12-09-2002, 12:54 AM
The hoos scoop will cause the hood to want to lift...its just physics, but for it to pop up on a stock hood is defnately no good I'd take the rig in and have it looked at.
As far as doing 110 on an open road....just because you can
First I was doing 110 actualy because a guy in a GTX was rideing my ass, and seccond I am sure the hood was all the way closed.
hotrod
12-15-2002, 12:01 AM
Just curious if you have any mods to the IC ducting, ie splitter, or remove the seal to the top of the IC. Or the mod to the front hood seal to improve air flow to the intake snorkle.
Diagonal winds like that, will push the normal high pressure area that forms just in front of the windshield off the side of the car. It can create one of the highest lift conditions on the front of a car at speed.
Larry
go go go
12-15-2002, 03:18 AM
I think it's fine.
WRX is designed to be driven more than 110mph.
In international circuit like Nurburgring or Suzuka, WRX (STi) can be hitting at least 150mph at the straight end and I'm sure Subaru spent a lot of time on track and its own test track developing WRX.
If you have cf or fiberglass hood, you'll see hood jumping around even at around 60mph.